"WHITES ONLY" is a sign that was common in many parts of South Africa during the nightmare that was the Apartheid Era. It was the policy of the government that there should be no mixing between races as far as possible. Many areas of life such as transport, shops and even beaches were segregated. The result of this was a deep hatred and suspicion of each other.
Fr.Martin O'Connor from Dingle in Co.Kerry works in Tzaneen Diocese in South Africa, and is involved in trying to bring reconciliation and healing to those who have been deeply hurt by the oppression and bitterness of Apartheid. At the start, Martin found his work in Suoth Africa very challenging. |
| "Apartheid has left many wounds and scars among the people. It takes time and patience to establish levels of trust and confidence with those who have been so deeply hurt. I arrived in South Africa in 1991. It was a time of great change and transition, and a time of great hope and expectation." He believes it was nothing short of a miracle that South Africa's transition to a new democracy happened so peacefully. On the other hand he is not so surprised, having experienced the faith, dignity and gentleness among the African people. |
