Rutgers visits South Africa-Alumni

Transcription

1 Rutgers visits South Africa-Alumni March 9 to March 22, 2016 DAY 1 Wed March 9, 2016 Depart Camden campus by bus to JFK International Airport. DAY 2 Thur March 10, 2016 Arrive in Cape Town, South Africa Named the #1 city to visit in the world by the New York Times, Cape Town is not only the most popular international tourist destination in South Africa, but Africa as a whole. This is due to its good climate, natural setting, and well-developed infrastructure. The city has several well-known natural features that attract tourists, most notably Table Mountain, which forms a large part of the Table Mountain National Park and is the back end of the City Bowl. Reaching the top of the mountain can be achieved either by hiking up, or by taking the Table Mountain Cableway. Cape Point is recognized as the dramatic headland at the end of the Cape Peninsula Cape Town's name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. The presence of Table Mountain in all its splendor still invokes this kind of emotion. Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and other African tribes from the North, and Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers. Bustling and beautiful, the cosmopolitan nature of Cape Town means that one never tires of the multitude of experience it has to offer. From pristine coastlines and a magnificent countryside offering a unique floral kingdom, to the many restaurants, jazz cafes, flea markets and theatres.

2 DAY 3 Fri March 11, 2016 Academic Day Students will have scheduled activities as part of their particular academic discipline. Alumni Morning South Africa Parliament Cape Town is the legislative seat of South Africa (the Presidential seat is in Pretoria and the Supreme Court is at Bloemfontein). A tour of this compound will acquaint you with South Africa's recent history and its political system. The tour includes visits to the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and the old apartheid-era assembly which is now only used for caucus and committee meetings. City Tour Get your bearings of Downtown Cape Town on an interesting driving tour of this fascinating city. Learn about the city s history and see some interesting historical sites, diverse architecture, and terrific views of the surrounding area. Alumni Afternoon Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens No visit to Cape Town is complete without a stroll through the most beautiful garden in Africa the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, one of the most highly acclaimed botanical gardens in the world on the slopes of Table Mountain. The garden lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, making Kirstenbosch the first botanic garden in the world to be included within a natural World Heritage Site Group Evening Dinner in Langa Township, Lelapa Restaurant The name Lelapa means "the home". In 1927, black people were forcefully moved from Ndabeni. During the same year Langa township was developed. The houses were built small, the roads narrow but the people lived there. The restaurant was one of these small homes, which Sheila has slowly transformed into a restaurant over the years. Langa is rising like the sun (the meaning of "Langa") and her people are rising as well. After 73 years, Lelapa (meaning "the home") Restaurant opened. Lelapa is one of Langa's big surprises, where people from all over the world come for lunch or dinner. At Lelapa they welcome their guests, make them feel comfortable and share their stories with us.

3 DAY 4 Sat March 12, 2016 Table Mountain (Weather Permitting) Table Mountain is a sandstone plateau rising up above the Cape Flats. The top is approximately 3km wide, and at its highest point, Maclears Beacon, rises to 1 085m. Over the centuries it has become one of South Africa s most famous landmarks. The steep cliffs and rocky outcrops of the mountain play home to a number of plants and animals. The mountain is home to approximately 1,470 species of plants: more than the entire British Isles! Complimenting this vast array of flora is a stunning range of fauna, some, like the Table Mountain Ghost Frog, being found in no other place in the world. Bo Kaap Hidden in central Cape Town, just beyond the hassles and bustle, you will find this little treasure which is an attraction for many holidaymakers. Bo-Kaap is a multicultural area, tucked safely into the fold of signal hill. Use the cobble stoned streets as your guide and you will be lead into a lively suburb filled with brightly colored houses from the nineteenth and seventeenth century, Muslim saints shrines ( kramats ) and many beautiful Mosques including the first established Muslim Mosque in South Africa. The area is filled with history, visit the museum for glimpse of the past and find out about the architectural heritage. District Six Museum District Six was named the Sixth Municipal District of Cape Town in Originally established as a mixed community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, laborers and immigrants, District Six was a vibrant center with close links to the city and the port. By the beginning of the twentieth century, however, the history of removals and marginalization had begun. The first to be 'resettled' were black South Africans, forcibly displaced from the District in As the more prosperous moved away to the suburbs, the area became the neglected ward of Cape Town. In 1966, it was declared a white area under the Group areas Act of 1950, and by 1982, the life of the community was over people were forcibly removed to barren outlying areas aptly known as the Cape Flats, and their houses in District Six were flattened by bulldozers. The District Six Museum, established in December 1994, works with the memories of these experiences and with the history of forced removals more generally.

4 V & A Waterfront Situated in the heart of Cape Town's working harbor with the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is widely acknowledged a favorite destination for Capetonians and tourists alike; attracting more than 23- million visitors a year which makes it the most visited destination on the African continent. Visitors to the Waterfront can soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere and marine spirit of Africa by visiting over 450 world-class retailers, over 10 hotels, over 80 eateries including 12 fine dining restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and taverns, and a fresh food market. Robben Island For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, 12 kilometers from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society. During the apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. The duty of those who ran the Island and its prison was to isolate opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. Some freedom fighters spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for their beliefs. Those imprisoned on the Island succeeded on a psychological and political level in turning a prison 'hell-hole' into a symbol of freedom and personal liberation. Robben Island. Free evening in Cape Town DAY 5 Sun March 13 Township Visit Langa Township is Cape Town s oldest township, established in Similar to the nearby communities of Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, Langa is one of the many areas that were established prior to the apartheid era designated for Black Africans. The name Langa means sun in the Xhosa language, but the name of the township is derived from the name Langalibalele a famous chief who was imprisoned on Robben Island for rebelling against the government. In recent years, the township has started to be rejuvenated as the government has invested in improved infrastructure.

5 Langa Township Walking Visit On a typical walking visit you ll see four different housing and socioeconomic areas, including worker hostels and informal settlements. Along the way residents may greet you in their language, Xhosa. You will also experience: The infamous singles quarters and the hostels, which is a product of the Migrant Workers Laws of the previous regime which destroyed families and created a dysfunctional society. Spaza shops and Shebeens. The new flats which are the old hostels now converted into smart new family apartments offering a chance for decent family living. A Street Craft Market, The Informal Settlement and at the end of the Tour, visit the Gugustheba Art Centre Lunch in Franschhoek World renowned for its spectacular beauty, superb Cape wines and world class restaurants the village of Franschhoek was founded in 1688 by French Huguenots, the scenic gem nestles in a rich and fertile valley between glorious towering mountains, right in the beautiful Heart of the Cape Winelands. Winelands Tour Breathtaking natural scenery, longstanding cultural heritage and world-class wine-producing estates characterize the Cape Winelands region, a tourist Mecca that always ranks highly on visitors itineraries, summer and winter alike. There are many wine farms along the route, some large and others boutique. Visitors are always welcome and tours, sales outlets and eateries are dotted throughout the region and the outstanding wines produced in this area are world-renowned. DAY 6 Mon March 14 Academic Day Students will have scheduled activities as part of their particular academic discipline. Alumni Morning Meeting with Christo Brand a South African former prison guard who was one of several that were responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela. He came to Robben Island, where Mandela was held, in 1978 when he was 18 years old. He was then transferred along with Mandela to Pollsmoor Prison. He and Mandela developed a friendship over the course of many years. He is the author of the book, Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend.

6 Visit Company s Gardens (a symbolic silent bell stands testimony to the slaves who once toiled in this former vegetable garden) is the oak-lined pedestrian strip of Government Avenue. Time permitting we could visit the National Gallery (with permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing South African art spanning the centuries, as well as the occasional retrospectives of the likes of Picasso and Marelene Dumas) or Houses of Parliament (buildings which have seen their fair share of action though the years). Alumni Afternoon Check out this link. We will help you make your plans for the afternoon DAY 7 Tue March 15 Visit the Kalksteen Primary School Kalksteenfontein Primary School in Kalksteenfontein, Cape Town, South Africa serves 400 student learners in Grades R Grade 7. The community is very much affected by the legacies of apartheid: Kalksteenfontein community is very poor, with high adult illiteracy and unemployment over 50%. The teachers, and staff work hard to make school a great experience for the learners. In the 10+years Rutgers has been visiting and offering support through faculty-led initiatives, KSPS has developed their library, computer room, music program, and lunch program. You ll be in for a treat when being welcomed into the spirited KSPS learning community. Trip to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve Part of the Cape Peninsula National Park (which also encompasses the Silvermine Nature Reserve and Table Mountain), is the Cape of Good Hope and is most famous for the Cape Point, the farthest tip of the Cape Peninsula. The reserve is home to baboons, eland, ostrich, and bontebok. (Be aware that the baboons, which

7 have become habituated to humans, can be dangerous (never feed them.) The usually wind-swept reserve is pretty bleak, but the coastal views are arresting. The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky beach that marks Africa's most south-western point. Most head straight for Cape Point, taking the funicular to the viewing platform and lighthouse--the view is spectacular. Visit Colony of South African Penguins at Boulders Beach and Indian Ocean At the Cape Peninsula National Park, the birds have been restrained from wandering inland by a fence, boardwalks and an information room have all been established. Boulders still remains the only place in the world where one can actually swim amongst the penguins as they have continued to invade more beaches. They are remarkably untroubled by people but one should avoid harassing them by getting too close or chasing them. Beware!! They have a vicious bite Depart for Johannesburg DAY 8 Wed March 16 Academic Day Students will have scheduled activities as part of their particular academic discipline. Alumni Morning City of Johannesburg Tour Johannesburg in South Africa is the second largest city in Africa, with more than 3 million people calling this bustling metropolis home. Joburg, or Jozi as some prefer to call it, offers visitors an experience as unique and diverse as the city itself. From Sandton to Hillbrow, a jarring contrast in living conditions, visit downtown Johannesburg - the historical heart of Johannesburg. Amid the innercity decay is heartening evidence of the many urban regeneration schemes underway. Learn the symbolism of Ghando Square before visiting the vibrant Market Theatre and Museum Afrika.

8 Visit Apartheid Museum The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the preeminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story. Beginning in 1948, the white elected National Party government implemented the policy of apartheid, which turned 20 million people into second-class citizens, damning them to a life of servitude, humiliation and abuse. Their liberation in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela, the prisoner who became president is a climax in the saga of a nation s resistance, courage and fortitude. The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the fall and rise of apartheid. DAY 9 Thur March 17 Academic Day Students will have scheduled activities as part of their particular academic discipline. Alumni Morning Visit Constitution Hill Constitution Hill is a unique mixed-use development in the Inner City of Johannesburg and the new home of the Constitutional Court, the protector of our basic rights and freedoms. Constitution Hill is also the site of Johannesburg s notorious Old Fort Prison Complex, commonly known as Number Four, where thousands of ordinary people were brutally punished before the dawn of democracy in Many of South Africa s leading political activists, including Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, were detained here. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, interactive experiences and educational programs, Constitution Hill offers public programs and exhibitions that bring the site to life and enable the public to connect with the activities of the Constitutional Court.

9 Alumni Afternoon Visit Liliesleaf Farm Tucked away in the leafy suburb of Rivonia, Johannesburg is Liliesleaf. Once the nerve center of the liberation movement and a place of refuge for its leaders, today Liliesleaf is one of South Africa's foremost, awardwinning heritage sites, where the journey to democracy in South Africa is honored. Liliesleaf has always been a place of dialogue. In the early 1960s, when the property was the headquarters for covert, underground activities and a safe house for many leading figures of the liberation movement, debates on political and military policy and strategy were commonplace. People from diverse backgrounds but with a common vision met here to discuss South Africa's emancipation from an oppressive apartheid regime. Today Liliesleaf is a repository for those conversations, and a place where the fruits of a free and equal South Africa are recounted and celebrated. Day 10 Fri March 18 Depart very early for Kruger National Park South Africa s world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wild-life experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Truly the flagship of South African national parks, Kruger Park is home to an impressive number of species: 335 trees, 49 fish, 39 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man s interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries from bushman (San) cave rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela is very evident in the Kruger National Park. The largest game reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park is larger than Israel. Nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretch for 352 kilometers ( square kilometers) from north to south along the Mozambique border, is given over to an almost indescribable wildlife experience. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park s natural assets. We will enjoy a Sunset Game Drive and Boma Braai dinner. Overnight in Kruger! Day 11 Sat March 19 Kruger Experience continues as we take our individual vans into the park and explore the bush in the early morning As the sun rises over Kruger s wildlife-rich bush plains, admire colorful birds flying overhead and look out for members of Africa s famous Big Five elephants, Cape buffaloes, lions, leopards and rhinos as well as zebras, giraffes and more.

10 Leave Kruger for Johannesburg. Day 12 Sun March 20 Visit Soweto Soweto is the most populous black urban residential area in the country, with Census 2008 putting its population at 1.3 million. Thanks to its proximity to Johannesburg, the economic hub of the country, it is also the most metropolitan township in the country - setting trends in politics, fashion, music, dance and language. Soweto may sound like an African name, but the word was originally an acronym for "South Western Townships". The township was, from its genesis, a product of segregationist planning. It was back in 1904 that Klipspruit, the oldest of a cluster of townships that constitute present day Soweto, was established. The township was created to house mainly black laborers, who worked in mines and other industries in the city, away from the city center. The inner city was later to be reserved for white occupation as the policy of segregation took root. A cluster of townships sprawling across a vast area 20 kilometers south-west of Johannesburg, Soweto was, from the start, a product of segregationist planning. During our time in SOWETO we will visit Nelson Mandela's home, Walter Sisulu Square, formerly known as Freedom Square and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the site of where the student uprisings of 76 began. This museum, through state of the art multi media, depicts scenes leading up to the student uprising of June 16th 1976 and the eventual transition to democracy in South Africa. Rosebank Market The African craft market is a unique African cultural shopping destination. An exercise in social upliftment, this initiative formalized the hawker trade in the area and is now a bustling market known for its quality exotic African artifacts. It also includes art and crafts from all over the African continent. There are vendors from Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Congo, the Ivory Coast and many more with a diverse range of fabric, jewelry, clothing, carvings, beadwork, ceramics and other décor and art items. There is a lot more on offer than the stereotypical wooden giraffe, this indoor market has a unique and vibrant atmosphere and rhythm.

11 Day 12 Sun March 24 Visit Soweto Soweto is the most populous black urban residential area in the country, with Censu2008 putting its population at 1.3 million. Thanks to its proximity to Johannesburg, the economic hub of the country, it is also the most metropolitan Depart South Africa Day 13 Mon March 21 Arrive in USA Monday morning. Depart JFK International Airport to Camden campus by bus. Arrive at Rutgers Fees The trip-related cost is estimated at $3,425 (double occupancy). (Single supplement $450) This fee covers all flights, all hotel accommodations, travel fees, guides, in-country bus transportation, all entry fees, and some meals while on the trip. o $500 non-refundable deposit by December 1, 2015 (used to make a plane reservation in your name!) o Additional $1500 by January 22, 2016 o Balance by February 12, 2016 Questions? Cal Maradonna Cal.maradonna@camden.rutgers.edu