District Six in Cape Town: Lost but not Forgotten

The Victims - by Willie Adams (June 1976)

To us you will be more

than just another memory

A living example to follow

since we have lost your bodies

but gained your spirit

In addition to visiting the F.W. de Klerk Foundation (see other post), earlier in the day, I met with Mahererah Gamieldien and Mandy Sanger - educators from the District Six Museum - one of the finest museums of memory in the city and internationally. While the District Six Museum celebrates life in District Six, a mixed area of 3 million inter-connected coloreds, Christians, Muslims, Jews, other whites, artists, poets, musicians, etc. that were forcibly removed to various townships depending on the race of the individual during Apartheid (February 11, 1966), it, in reality, attempts to use the memory of District 6 in helping youth to address contemporary issues around forced migration, national identity as opposed to just individual cultural identity, human rights, peaceful reconciliation, etc. and is a member of international museums of consciousness. (As a side note, many District Six residents were moved to Mitchell's Plain - the area where I am shadowing a high school principal.) Discussion of these issues will become increasingly important as Cape Town, the geography of which had largely been determined by the Group Removals Act under Apartheid, begins to integrate its multiple ethnic groups in its leafy suburbs once the exclusive reserves of whites.

It works with students internationally through student exchanges and allows students to participate in exhibitions creation and/or photography and design. It also provides local and international teachers with seminars on tolerance. In an effort to move the country beyond its current difficulties with violent crime, which the museum sees as a result of the low self-esteem and dignity that often comes with poverty, the museum hopes that its tolerance education programs will lead people to see worth in themselves and others.

The museum sees the process of collecting memory through stories as more important than facts as the sharing of memories promotes dialogue, discussion, and ultimately social interconnection between generations. Indeed, the district map on the main floor was created, collectively, by former residents who were also encouraged to include side stories and poems alongside the map. Depending on when one visits, one can also participate in a tour of the museum that is led by a former District Six resident. While many museums worship the past, Sanger adds that the D6 museum also engages current voices. The museum hopes to add to its programming by expanding its online/distance learning programs with international students and human rights scholars. I hope to engage my students in this process.

As an interesting sidebar highlighting the diversity of South Africa, Ms. Gamieldien is a direct descendent of Sheik Yusuf, an Indonesian Sheik imprisoned by the Dutch, on Robben Island, for his political activities in Indonesia several hundred years ago. Sheik Yusuf is noted for rewriting the Koran, in full, from memory, while on Robben Island. He never returned to Indonesia. Ms. Gamieldien's family, which was forcibly removed from the Constancia area and sent to a colored township, recently was awarded restitution for their lost land in Constancia. Ms. Sanger was also detained in isolation, during Apartheid, for being a student activist/teacher and wanting students to explore history. She sometimes also shares her story with students who visit the D6 museum. The Amazing Race was also at the D6 Museum today picking up clues.