Obviously, South Africans look up to Obama, but interesting to see how progressive the laws of this country are. They were the first country to have a national non discriminatory law put in place and gay marriage has been legal since 2006. Possible research topic: Have the sweeping national laws worked or is it creating more tension and violence?
As I waited to get checked in, I took a look at the local newspaper. It's always interesting to me to see international perspectives of big news as well as local news to see what's important to the city/country that I'm visiting. Of course, this visit is especially historic because of the health of Nelson Mandela. Even the way the South Africans discuss the looming death of their hero is admirable. As a people, they are all trying to say he deserves a dignified, peaceful death and want to send a message that his legacy will live on because in South African (or African?) culture, the family gathers around the dying to tell the person they will all be okay on Earth to give the dying person a sense of comfort in order for them to let go. The South Africans believe they are his family and his people and are attempting to send this message as a result. Other interesting tidbit: Nelson Mandela's daughter is disgusted at the international media's disrespect for him. While Americans and other countries have gotten used to the inhumanity of the paparazzi and media, it was interesting to hear how Mandela's daughter was appalled at how the media camped outside of the hospital awaiting the news and had no respect for the family or Madiba (his clan name).
Other interesting thing I noticed: The newspapers have a place where people can comment on past news stories, similar to some papers in the US. Many South Africans believe the hospitals are keeping Mandela on life support only until Obama's visit is over in order to not disrupt his Africa tour. Many are unhappy with putting Obama's agenda ahead of the peaceful passing of their hero.
Other interesting news story: Protestors were throwing feces at a protest because of poor living conditions/jobs, but the government responded saying this was only going to harm the health of all people even more.
A beautiful backdrop for statues created for the 4 Nobel Peace Prize recipients (Mandela is on the right). This is by the waterfront in Sea Point, a short 5 minute walk from my hotel.
Close up, quotes are engraved on the ground.
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