BY ERNEST TUAPE
(Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala)
#1. The Hector Pieterson Memorial Site
A 13 year-old boy stood by as a group of high school students flooded the streets of Soweto to protest the government’s degree of using Afrikaans as the language of instruction in all schools.
They marched in droves, holding placards and singing.
Truckloads of police arrived at the scene of protest. They jumped off, corked their guns and fired at the crowd, erratic bullets pouring out in all directions.
Through the impact of those bullets, that boy, Hector Pieterson, and over 100 others took their last breathe.
This memorial site tells of 16 June 1976.
#2. Vilakazi Street
At the turn to this street, two men – both in their early 30s – are waving cars through. They are like valets, keeping the road organized, welcoming people, making them feel warm.
This is where Tata Madiba lived, sneaking in and out during his youthful days through the struggle against Apartheid.
Mandela House never sleeps. It’s a family museum, open to the public. To the world.
Along the whole stretch of this street are crafts and shirts hanging with Nelson Mandela’s face plastered on. One corner outside Mandela House has Steve Biko’s portrait, his hands in cuffs.
#3. The Apartheid Museum
You’ve heard about apartheid in South Africa. You’ve probably read about the horrendous acts of that system. Maybe you’ve watched movies and documentaries about it.
But you still don’t get it.
You can’t.
Would you like to know what it felt like living through those times? Would you like to walk through the story of how it begun and grew into a monster, the uprisings and the victory of the oppressed?
It’ll take you about 100 minutes.
You’ll feel sad then enraged but there’ll be relief as you walk through the final sections of the museum.
#4. Garden Court Morningside
Whether you find Elliott, Pascal or Lucky at the reception, you’ll receive a noble welcome. Hospitality is who these people are. It’s embedded in their bloodline.
At the bar, the service is phenomenal. Comfortable social meeting space at the lobby. Rich music. A short stroll to the swimming pool and fitness centre. For the readers, there’s an Equinox magazine in your room.
An aromatic breakfast restaurant feeds you from the entrance. Cool ambience, stunning tree wall art, mint and sweets at the welcome table.
Room service with an admirable level of courteousness, true to their word.
#5. Nelson Mandela Square
This is for the selfie lovers, the ones who like to share pictures on IG. This is for the photo storytellers, the shopping enthusiast, the foodie, the book lover. The one who receives spiritual healing from watching fountains and water sprinkles.
With Mandela’s stately six-meter high bronze statue standing at the entrance, pose with it and capture your memory.
Sit on the steps and connect to one of the free WiFi networks of either Sandton City or that of the square. You’ll stay connected to the world with a bunch of nationals from across the world.
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Tuape blogs at www.silliedance.com
