Watching the news this morning reminded me of how much I have changed. Twenty years ago on this day - 11 February I was a very curious young person.
I was a student at the University of the Western Cape. At the time this was the best place for me to be - and I guess for many young South Africans. The University was one of the places you felt safe. A place where we learnt more than just what we needed to make grades. The environment was conducive for political and social debate.
At Bush, as we called the University, many of us discovered why the South African Police went crazy when the Red Flag flies high. We also discovered the meaning of glasnost perestroika. This is where the concept of 'comradeship' had meaning. Political tolerance is one of the things that were not an issue. There was unity even though people came from different political affiliations. When it came to common interests - people worked together.
Politics may have been the main feature of the university from an outsider, but that was not true. We had the Creative Arts Choir, the (often hilarious) gumboot dancers, poets and a few other cultural acts which entertained us during cultural events. From time to time there were cultural evenings where the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Peninsula Technikon (Pentech) participated. This is the time when COSAW was also strong.
Soccer was also a feature in the University calendar. I remember the UWC World Cup season. This was huge and the competition was tough. There were so many teams and most were skilled. I stayed in Hector Peterson and we had two teams there and others belonged to other teams on campus. We had Korea and Nicaragua - it was a tough choice. The final was a spectacular event. This is one of the activities that brought this community together.
When I look at where we are today and remember how we were then - I realised how much I have changed. I have not been to a theatre in a while. I am lazy to go and sit in a stadium and watch a soccer game. Choral music has dropped to the bottom of my list. Most of all I am so lazy to read even though my shelves are piling up with all sorts of books.
Watching SABC 2 this morning I remembered a friend rushing to my room in a frenzy. This was on 11 February 1990. 'There is transport to the prison' she screamed. This was confusing because I was not sure what was going on. She kept saying 'they will leave us behind'. When we were young, you would go as you are - just grab a sweater. As I was looking for my keys she told me that Mandela is being released today and we are going to Victor Vester.
One thing about being at Bush. People knew what you are interested in - or rather what you should be interested in. Your reaction was also expected to be positive.
As we were running out of V Block - I discovered that this is not public knowledge (the transport). Other people were not aware - so we were to go before the pandemonium. At one point I regretted having to leave so early as we were standing in the hot February sun. We waited in the open for hours with no direction. People were tired and thirsty.
There was a grape farm on the one side of the road and the prison on the other. There were trailers along the side of the road - probably belonging to the farm. These helped for shade as we sometimes sat down next to or underneath them. Some people could not help themselves and started getting some grapes. At first people were screaming - 'No comrades' - later most people were munching the sweet vines.
Every now and again you would hear shouts when someone comes out of the prison. After what seemed to be eternity - the whole crowd went beserk. Cheers, Amandla!!! Ululating, and some broke into a song. We knew what was happening. We climbed on top of the trailer and we could see from a distance a small crowd walking towards the prison gates. People were shouting, singing, pointing, screaming and all. No binoculars or zoom lenses we were waiting for them to come a bit closer. As we saw Winnie, the figure next to her had to be him. The guy had his arm up - waving - I realised - Mandela is coming out of prison.
The excitement and the turmoil inside is difficult to share. So many people I wished were there. I had no camera and back then mobile phones were not heard of. As I looked around me - I realised that I was not alone. Many people were crying. Others hugging friends and others watching with glossy eyes.
By the time we got to the res, everyone was gone. After they heard that Mandela is out and will be addressing the people - they rushed to the Parade. We could only watch the old man make his first public speech in almost 3 decades from a television. Seeing Cape Town out there in the Parade in thousands - on top of trees, buildings, cars and everywhere and Bishop Tutu holding this man's arm and raise it to the air - and the response - I cried.
