As today is our final day, we participated in a multitude of activities on our way to the hotel. Our first collective stop was at the township Soweto, specifically on Vilakazi street. We were warmly met with another Round Square school names St Stithians School, who kindly accompanied our further endeavours. There, we first engaged in tourist shopping for cultural pieces and souvenirs, as well as passing by Nelson Mandela’s home.
Following that, we had lunch at Sakhumzi Restaurant. Rumour has it, it was Nelson Mandelas favourite restaurant. At the restaurant, we listened to an educational speech by Letlhage Mochadibane. The contents of what we learned were centred around the effects of the apartheid regime within the Soweto township. His words gave us a better insight to the realities of the heavy segregation and violence that were involved within apartheid. The impact of his influential talk left us with greater questions and widened perspectives about how a specific area within South Africa was truly affected by the oppression within their daily lives.
Following closely on theme we all visited the Apartheid Museum. The experience was truly eye-opening, and we learned in great detail the results of hate and racism made systematic. Through this experience, we all came to the obstacles faced by the oppressed races in South Africa and around the world. The courage shown by Nelson Mandela and others leading the resistance against the apartheid regime is highly exemplary of what many of the Round Square IDEALS look like in the real world.
There were many tears shed tonight and throughout the day as our tight group begins to break apart and we all start travelling home. We hope to stay in contact so that we may see each other again in our future travela around the globe, wherever we are thrown in our tumultuous journey of life. Long-lasting friendships have been made, and none of us will ever forget that great adventure which was RSIS South Africa 2026.
May we all be changed by this experience that we might be impactful servants to our communities around the globe in the future. Best wishes everyone.
By Rufta and Paddy, Team Yellow
