We arrived at the O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg late morning. Exiting the airport we were greeted by the 9 meter tall bronze statue of Oliver Reginald (O. R.) Tambo—an anti apartheid activist who served as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1967-1991. He was succeeded by Nelson Mandela. Along with Mandela and Arthur Sisulu, he also founded the ANC’s Youth League in 1944.
We were also greeted by our tour guide, Eric, and our travel expert, Robyn, with Smithsonian Journeys. After a much needed nap (over 30 hours of travels across two nights), we ate dinner at a local place where we’re staying in Rosebank. Rosebank is north of central Johannesburg.
And now it’s time for a proper night’s sleep and then off to explore Johannesburg—the largest city in South Africa with over 60 million people, 11 official languages, and a culture that has captivated me. I vividly remember when the U.S. Congress enacted the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. This act imposed sanctions against South Africa until 5 conditions were met which would end apartheid. I was in high school at the time and went to a conference where they educated us on the anti-apartheid struggle. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to visit Nelson Mandela’s house, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, and then talk with a resident who will share their personal story about the Soweto uprising.
Christina’s Journey Journal 