TAMUK South Africa Program 2022

    The Texas A&M University-Kingsville students, who participated in this Study Abroad Program, all contributed to the multiple ways in which this Program succeeded. The University takes great pride in the depth, diversity, work ethic, curiosity, humanity, and substance the students demonstrated throughout their visit to South Africa.   Nirmal G 07/27/2022

Today in Cape Town, we toured the city to visit all the must-see sites. We started by driving up Lion’s Head and getting some great pictures and views, including Green Point Stadium. We continued, driving past The Twelve Apostles, and stopping at a fishing harbor where we got to pet a giant seal! We then made our way to a market where all items were made in Africa.  Then we moved on to Chapman’s Peak overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and arguably the most beautiful scenery of the day. Next, we visited our guide’s “favorite spot”, a mountain with a rusted canon, unused, overlooking the Indian Ocean and Simon’s Town, a naval base. We headed over to Simon’s Town to Seafront/Boulders Beach where penguins can be observed on a scale that is truly unparalleled in the world, at least within the confines of a mostly urban area. The penguins of the Cape, all in their natural habitats, are a remarkable sight.  We then had lunch at the Salty Sea Dog, famous for their Fish n Chips.  We ended our day w

En Sudáfrica, el término municipio se refiere a las áreas urbanas segregadas racialmente, a menudo subdesarrolladas, que, desde finales del siglo XIX hasta el final del apartheid, estaban reservadas para los no blancos: indios, africanos y mestizos. El municipio de Kayamandi se encuentra en el Cabo Occidental de Sudáfrica y fue establecido en la década de 1950 como un área específica para trabajadores no blancos que trabajaban en las granjas de esa área. Hasta el día de hoy el municipio continúa creciendo y las casas nuevas son claramente visibles en la parte superior de la sierra. Este municipio claramente demuestra la disparidad de riqueza extrema. El hecho no tan sorprendente es que Kayamandi está oculto de la vista por los miles de turistas que viajan a los viñedos del Cabo cada año. La cruda realidad de las miles de personas empobrecidas que viven justo encima del centro de la ciudad es una representación de cómo hasta el día de hoy decidimos ignorar las consecuencias de la histor

The City of Stellenbosch has many sculptures displayed both in public squares and in museums. The common thread of these exhibits, while appearing to be connected to the history and life in the surrounding region, also seems related to the larger environment of South Africa.  Many of the pieces suggest the battling identities of two worlds, the wild and the tamed.  “Wild” may be perceived as expressions of strength, stealth, grace, and the hunting skills needed to survive in the wild. Representations of the “tamed” could show narratives imposed on the subjects by those who wielded power over them and make the subjects seem to be something that was not inherently theirs. Many works of sculpture throughout Stellenbosch seemingly symbolized depictions of these two opposites.    Some pieces show intricate details of faces and movements frozen in time. However, at the same time, many of the city’s artworks, including non-sculptures, could also be emulating the evolving culture of South Afri

Today we listened to a presentation by Stellenbosch University’s Rabia Abba Omar about her project, Open Forum. While in Stellenbosch, we heard about several instances of student protests and their impacts. One such instance was about removing the statue of Cecil Rhodes at the University of Cape Town.  Rhodes is one of Southern Africa’s most controversial figures.  Open Forum’s intent was to give an opportunity for artists to provide works of art, which represent the perspectives of people involved in these protests.  At Stellenbosch University, student protests were receiving media attention, which depicted protest acts as violent. Open Forum sought to change that. Ms. Omar’s project provided workshops to allow students to “decompress” and focus on how students can use art to convey protest messages. Ms. Omar showed us three examples of the students’ works: “Is this a protest?”, “Flight," and “The Dustbin.” Although not all of the activities led to “successes” or “disciplinary ac

 On Wednesday, our group had the opportunity to tour a local art exhibit, "Rugby Gives Me An Eerie Feeling," by the Filthy Plinths. It featured 5 pieces titled: "No Parking," "Hyper Wholesaler Hawkers Line," "Rugby Gives Me An Eerie Feeling" (the title piece), "Fast Deadly," and "Empty Promises." Each piece is comprised of different photographic elements which were combined into large collages. Located in a former church, the pieces, done by Stellenbosch University students, were shaped as arches to reflect the architectural details of the building, such as doors and windows.  "No Parking" At first glance, the artwork seems to offer only a colorful window of life within South Africa. However, as the viewer examines each piece, the artwork becomes more jarring. Beautiful elements, such as landscapes and smiling people, are juxtaposed with grittier images, such as poverty and political propaganda.\  Altogether, the exh

 When thinking of the San, a distinctive and historic indigenous population group in Africa, it can be very hard for outsiders to understand their life culture. That is the reason Khwa ttu San Heritage Center was so informative. The center is an exceptional educational and cultural entity that compellingly provides insights into the San way of life.  At the center, we got to view how the San people live. We went on a walk/hike to observe and identify different plants and how the San used those plants; we experienced how the San prepare food by actually sitting around a fire and cooking braai; and we learned about the nuanced use of different "clicking" sounds as part of the San's language.  The clicks were an integral part of the languages of the many different San groups, not just in South Africa, but also in other parts of Southern Africa. We were even given a quick tutorial about how to pronounce/speak several "click" words. Our visit to the Khwa ttu Center w

 During our safari weekend stay at Aquila, we experienced a different side to the reserve, beyond the animals. Across the road from the main facilities, Aquila has an Eco Center. We went on a tour of the center, which primarily featured gardens, plants, bees, and fish raised there. A lot of the food served in Aquila is harvested from the gardens at the center. To keep everything flourishing, the Eco Center develops and uses its own composted fertilizer sources, which includes the beneficial usage of special worms.  Our guide was very passionate about his own and the Eco Center's work. Observing the center's commitment to promoting a sustainable development ethic served as a practical window for us to learn about how economic activities can be conducted without negative impacts on the environment. Seeing that the food we ate came from right across the road was very satisfying It brought nature closer to us in a unique way! Lauren B 07/17/2022

 This afternoon, we observed three elephants eating their dinner. In the distance, an ostrich and two springboks crept on them from behind to get in on the action. Slowly the rest of the ostriches followed in search of food. Then, we were lucky enough to see the hippos out and about in the sunlight! A sunburn can be fatal for a hippo, which is why they secrete oils from their skin that acts as a natural sunscreen. We learned that hippos can run up to 35 kilometers an hour and are some of the most dangerous animals in Africa. We saw buffalo, rhinos, and springbok again. We made our way to visit the lions. The two males were resting at the base of the mountain. We did not see the female because she had already made her way up the mountain for the night. At the end of our safari, we watched the sunset and had refreshments and snacks, The baboons waved us goodbye for the evening and we ventured back to the lodge.  Madeleine S 07/16/2022

Today Brissa and I went on a horseback safari at Aquila Game Reserve, which was our first time riding horses! Yes, we finally became "Texans" in Africa! This safari provided a unique experience with a close view of the animals and surrounding landscape. The horses that took us along the safari were named Blondie and Madeline. They both had very bold and spirited personalities! Just after this picture was taken, Madeline led the way to the zebra's food and Blondie followed. When the zebras were scared away, the horses decided to have their own little snack. These beautiful horses made our experience even more exciting with their adventurous nature! During our ride, we found a springbok skull carcass, which was likely attacked by surprise from the mountain. The springbok is South Africa's national animal. An interesting fact that we learned from our guide was that the lines on a springbok's horns indicate their age! Our horseback safari ride is an experience I will

 On Saturday, our group went out on a morning safari at 8:00 a.m. Since it was very early, most of the animals were just beginning to wake up. In a small lake, we saw hippos huddled and submerged underwater to keep warm. Luckily, the lions were basking in the sun so we got to see all three! The lioness was on her back with her feet up like a house cat.  There were also many zebras and rhinos, including a baby rhino. Our guide told us that the rhinos' horns were removed because of poaching concerns in the area.  Then on our way back, we saw three elephants and one came up and touched me! The experience was unlike a zoo t hat I have ever been to. I felt like we experienced Africa the way it is meant to be experienced! Rylan E 07/16/2022

We visited the Aquila Game Reserve to view the iconic "Big 5" animals of Africa. However, Aquila also offered a unique opportunity to go on a "safari of the sky." The views of the night sky from parts of Africa are legendarily spectacular. Aquila's location made such a viewing possible, and they even made an expert in astronomy available to take us through a celestial safari.  We did that! We learned that "aquila" is a constellation of stars creating an eagle. The Eagle has a give and take relationship with nature, never taking more than needed. As a student from America, we have the perspective of the outside looking in. We watch nature closely thinking we are solving our problems, but our relationships with the Earth is that we take more than needed.  Here in Aquila, we could identify with the Eagle flying above becoming one with the Earth. As Eagles, we are equals with animals, trees, and mountains. Being surrounded by the immensity of the African l

 Today we attended a lecture by Stellenbosch University Professor, Dr. Johnathon Jansen, about what is taught in South African universities. He led an interactive discussion about the curriculum taught in South Africa and how this can impact students' ideology and actions. He noted the key differences between disciplinary and institutional curricula, specifically that disciplines cover relatively similar content around the world, while institutional is based on the value systems of the specific area.  Professor Jansen provided very recent examples of how institutional curriculum can lead to racist actions in South Africa. Although current university students were not alive during apartheid, there are influences around them that pass on the ideology, including family, schooling, the church, and more. The examples given by Professor Jansen greatly reflect the events seen in the United States, both in the past and currently. This reflection allowed us to make the connection that the i

Today we visited the Stellenbosch Village Museum. This museum has four houses of historical interest and gardens. Each of these beautiful homes represents a different time period in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The houses, their interiors and their gardens have been restored, furnished, planted and decorated to illustrate the particular style and taste of time. Below is some information on each of the houses in the museum complex.  Schreuderhuis (1680-1720) This is the first home at the museum and was built in 1709. The home survived the first great fire in Stellenbosch due to it having a clay interior roofing, causing the house to bake but not get totally destroyed. This made the restoration possible. Blettermanhuis (1750-1790) This is the second home at the museum. It was built in 1789 by Hendrik Lodewyk Bletterman, who was the last landdrost  (magistrate) of Stellenbosch to be appointed by the Dutch East India Company. Grosvenor House (1800-1830) This is the third

While visiting the museums of Cape Town, we were embraced by stories left by the souls memorialized there. In the slave lodge, you feel the sunlight cascading upon your face through the windows, but during the time of enslavement, there were no windows for sunlight to come through and touch those who lived there. They were left in the dark, to ponder in silence with thoughts that could only have been horrific. The museums were stark, perhaps representing the barrenness of the life that slaves had to endure.  When walking through Cape Town's famous District Six, you can feel the melancholy of a community not allowed to "live" like a community. Our tour guide pulled back layers of vulnerability to share the sad stories of displacement in South Africa. We felt the mixture of tragic themes that is part of the complex experiences of the people of South Africa. We felt the mixture of tragic themes that is part of the complex experiences of the people of South Africa, and throug

On Wednesday the 13th, a presentation by Stellenbosch University Professor Ncebakazi Mnukwana was about Umggokolo , which is the overtone singing of Xhosa-singing adolescent girls. She began playing an instrument made by maiden girls inspired by a hunting bow and used a stick to either scratch or strike the string. This was used in rituals for girls reaching puberty. The music and songs served as lyrical backgrounds for the girls to dance to, sing, and practice socializing with the opposite sex. Then, a song was played about "killing this old woman" representing the abandonment and hardships they faced.  Lastly, she played a larger bow with a calabash and moved the hole of it on and off her body, changing the tone as she vocalized along. This instrument was played by married women carrying on the messages of silenced women. Unfortunately, this is a dying art form, and the rituals are only played for remembrance. Professor Mnukwana's research focus is on how this is affect

Today we sat in on a lecture by Stellenbosch University Professor Dr. Justin Pearce about liberation movements in South Africa. Dr. Pearce gave us an impressive crash course on the History of South Africa. He started off by providing us with some context about the African continent, and emphasized the political significance of the land itself. Then we learned about the multiple colonization efforts in Southern Africa both by country and decade. It was very neat to see how liberation movements in Africa played out on the global stage and better understand the political motives of the major players in apartheid.    Dr. Pearce concluded by showing us some intriguing pictures he took when he visited an ANC training camp in Angola. In the pictures were layers of writing and phrases painted on the walls in many different languages. We observed the impact of foreign presence during such a transitional time. By studying resistance and repression in Southern Africa, we realized that all Souther

Today we walked around the town of Stellenbosch and the university campus. One of the campus buildings we visited was the University's School of Theology, a beautiful structure influenced by renaissance era architecture. Other buildings we visited were white gothic structures with simple, clean lines and looked symmetrical on a vertical axis- you can split it down the center and left mirrors right!                            Stellenbosch School of Theology                       Moederkerk (Mother Church) An interesting and quirky design feature of the town: there are narrow, deep channels along the sides of many streets that look like open storm water drains. Only they are not! They are canals historically meant to provide water to be used by individual residences to irrigate personal vegetable gardens. Apparently, the canal system also had small sluice gates so that individual water allocations can be managed equitably. So, on just one walking tour, we sampled renaissance architec

Today we sat in on a special lecture about the history of Stellenbosch University, and the town of Stellenbosch, from Professor Wessel Visser. He narrated the history of the South African school from its beginnings in the late 1870s and the evolution to its current status. That process was influenced by all of the significant events that are part of the history of South Africa.  Alexi A, Adalyssa H, Lauren B                                   Lauren B, Dr. Goswami Just like the country, the school has experienced profound political and social ups and downs, including the politics of language changes and shifts in student demographics. Being a student himself in the 70s and teaching for over 30 years at Stellenbosch, Professor Visser has had a front-row view of the unique transformational events that have shaped the university and the local region.  Stellenbosch University After his presentation, Professor Visser took us on a walking tour of the town and the original institutional struct

We "Javelinas" traveled to South Africa from San Antonio International Airport on July 9th, 2022. After a 15-hour flight to Doha, Qatar, a 4-hour layover, a 9-hour flight to Cape Town, and a short drive, we arrived in Stellenbosch! Upon our arrival, we received a warm welcome from Gita D. and Anell D., graduate students at Stellenbosch University (and group moms)! We are so excited to learn about all Stellenbosch has to offer, stay tuned for the journey! Annalisa S 07/11/2022

The Political Science Program at Texas A&M University- Kingsville (TAMUK), USA, with the assistance of the University's Division of International Studies & Programs, is pleased to introduce the South Africa Program (SAP)- a pioneering and continuing collaborative initiative with the Department of History, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa. The focus of the SAP is to offer an opportunity to TAMUK students to visit Stellenbosch University to learn about the societies and politics of the Southern Africa region, with a special emphasis on South Africa. The Program is also meant for students to experientially learn about, and recognize, the relevance and importance of South Africa/Southern Africa not only for the United States, but also globally. The SAP is co-directed by Dr. Sandra Swart, Professor of History (Stellenbosch University), and Dr. Nirmal Goswami, Professor of Political Science (TAMUK).  This blog is a "diary" about the SAP by the student