Note to self: There are some beauties that cannot be documented by device. These are to only be experienced fully and freely by the senses. South Africa has been an ecstasy of beauty: encompassing amazing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures that cannot be escaped. They are in your face; ready to be explored and experienced. Constantly morphing into something new to see, or touch, or taste, or hear, or smell, or see, touch, taste, hear, and smell all at the same time. If you grab a camera, you may miss South Africa’s true beauty. Because beyond the aesthetic glory and majesty of rolling hills and mighty mountains or breathe-taking sea lined coasts, is a secret beauty hiding that must be teased out of destinations not so pleasing to the eye. This beauty is to be experienced, not simply captured.
First stop: Soweto.
Soweto
I spent three weeks in the commercial capitol of South Africa, Johannesburg. The purpose of my stay in Johannesburg was to study the stigma of HIV and AIDS among those infected and affected the most by the disease—Black South African children. That meant spending most of my time in Johannesburg’s largest township: Soweto. Partnering with Ikageng Aids Ministry, I experienced first hand the poverty and systematic oppression that makes township communities the breeding ground for infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. I went to homes that were headed by children because both parents died from contracting the epidemic. I met brilliant children who dreamed of being educated but battled the nightmare of primary school’s fees and university tuition. I entered one room houses that sheltered 8-10 people who survived off of monthly rations; yet, willing to share their last with me—a guest. One such girl said to me, “you make the most of what you have, don’t worry about what you don’t have—you don’t have it.”
In Soweto, I saw the resilient spirit of beauty. I learned that true beauty is not dependent on external aesthetics but an internal resolve to be regardless of circumstances. Although this lesson is nothing new, it took traveling 8,000 miles and intentionally stripping myself of the little privilege I have as an American to fully explore and experience the world as one should—resolving to be regardless of the circumstance. This beauty is to be experienced, not simply captured.
Final Stop: Somewhere on the Coast of South Africa
I spent the final week backpacking across the coast of South Africa. Starting in Cape Town and ending in East London, the coastal landscapes unfolded physical beauties unimaginable. Molehills turned into majestic mountains veiled by thick, smoky clouds. Rolling green meadows flowed into the roaring blue sea and crashing foamy waves. Despite the contentious history of the area, the landscape managed to display a beauty unshaken, unmoved, and unbroken by time. (I have sooooo many pictures!) Wine and Whiskey, sea sides and seafood, an African game drive and a visit to a traditional Xhosa kingdom, the final week in Africa challenged me to not only seek to find beauty in the myriad landscapes of life’s experience, but to never cease showing and displaying my own beauty. Because true beauty is only the reflection of the Divine’s presence at work, ever creating and ever sustaining this mystery we call life.