South Africa has experienced tremendous change in the past fifteen years, with the end of apartheid and the establishment of a new government and new social, economic and political systems for the country. It is seen as a model of reconciliation and development. Although impressive progress has been made at a constitutional level, tremendous challenges remain, including very high levels of unemployment, low levels of skills and confidence in poor communities, rapid urbanization, poverty and the impact of HIV/AIDS. This summer program is designed to help support skills development and instill confidence in young people in this challenging new democracy.
Web Resources for South Africa
Suggested Reading
Southern Africa has produced several famous authors. These include Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, Laurens van der Post, Andre Brink and Alan Paton. J. M Coetzee has won the Booker Prize twice, but his novels are very dark, although brilliantly written. The leading black writer of the moment is Zakes Mda.
Most of the political actors of the South African political transition have written about their experiences including Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk and most famously Nelson Mandela - his 'Long Walk to Freedom' is well worth reading. Anthony Sampson and others have written biographies of Mandela.
There are various travel guides available - some have a general focus (e.g. Southern Africa) and some are very specific (e.g. Cape Town). Travel guides provide information to varying degrees: in general, the more glossy pictures the less depth! Brands include Lonely Planet, Insight, Hildebrand, Baedeker's, Fodor's, Spectrum, Bradt and Footprints.
There are also specific field guides for safaris, such as Southern African Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide by Mike Unwin. Maps and good bird-books, such as Roberts, are available in South Africa .
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