Power Lines

I just finished a book called Power Lines which was written by Jimmy Carter's grandson Jason about his time in South Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer.  John Anzalone sent me the book because he thought it was great and it really was.  Jason writes alot about a theme you can't escape here - the incredible contrasts.  Unlike other African countries which are mostly poor, South Africa is marked by extreme wealth and extreme poverty.  The title "Power Lines" refers both to the power structure and complicated racial dynamics but also to a more literal meaning - the thousands of miles of power lines that ran through poor communities but do not stop there to provide electricity.  In the 15 years since Jason left, the country has become more electrified of course and now about 81% of South Africa has electricity. 

Jason worked in a rural village to help teachers adjust to the new curriculum that was developed post-apartheid.  During apartheid, blacks were taught in an inferior education system called bantu education.  The system was designed to provide blacks with an inferior education to that of coloureds, Indians and whites.  It's so surprise that reforming this system post apartheid was a huge priority of Mandela and the new ANC controlled government.  The government invited Peace Corps volunteers to assist in that endeavor.   

Jason was struck by the same thing I and most Americans are struck by.  Most white South Africans are middle to upper class and all live behind gates and electrified fences.  Becky and I live in a gated community with a guard, a pool and a cleaning lady and honestly, it's nice to feel safe all the time in a country known for incredible crime rates which are the highest in our province.  But it makes the immense poverty just a few miles (or kilometers) away from us more intolerable and disturbing.  It also makes our travel out to the provinces really worthwhile and I look forward to seeing more of the country.  The intense HIV campaign we are working on is being implemented in the poorest, most rural parts of the country and that certainly provides hope that the next generation of South Africans will live healthier, more prosperous lives and have more opportunities to build a bigger middle class.  With South Africa being such a young country in it's current democratic form, and black students now receiving a higher quality education and being free (at least legally) from the economic and social constraints of apartheid, it's actually pretty easy to have hope that South Africa is on the rise and destined for better times ahead.