Klemm Fellowship in Cape Town, South Africa

In my three week trip to Cape Town, South Africa as part of the Union College Klemm Fellowship, I witnessed firsthand the structural ramifications of the apartheid era. Apartheid was a legal system of segregation and racial discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 until 1991. Driving and walking through the city, it was evident that these era had significant ramifications on housing, spatial segregation, poverty, unemployment and opportunity. During my time in Cape Town I conducted extensive research into urban planning in Cape Town, and governmental policies as a whole. I conducted interviews with several local scholars, and wrote an article about the story of Cape Town as the "tale of two cities." I gained extensive journalism experience that I know I will take with me in my future career plans. In my discussion, I will talk about the legacy of the apartheid era and the erroneous impacts that it continues to have on black and colored people throughout the city. Historically marginalized peoples continue to struggle to access a good education, basic services and find employment. Indeed, 63% of black youths in Cape Town are unemployed. This has contributed to a rise in crime, gang violence, and drug use in the black and colored townships miles outside of the city center. Throughout my talk I will also discuss my cultural experiences, my homestay and my work in a real-world journalism office.