Ms. Kerstin Lindgren
Chatham County

”What a day it was! Every single part of it was so interesting and felt absolutely necessary to understanding the history of how South Africa came to have the modern society and the education system that it has today.

First, a quick rundown of today’s itinerary. It’s a doozy!

• A visit to the South African Constitutional Court 
• A visit to the Apartheid Museum
• Lunch (and fantastic dancing!) at Chez Alina followed by a tour of SOWETO
• A visit to the Hector Pietersen memorial

It would be no trouble at all to write at great length about every single activity we did today, but in an effort to keep this from turning into more of a book than a blog post, I’m focusing on our visit to the South African Constitutional Court this morning. 

As someone who is drawn to art and architecture, the Constitutional Court set my imagination racing. The way that the structure represents South African justice and democracy using metaphor made a powerful impression on me. I was intrigued by the modern design of the structure, the contemporary art, and the careful attention to creating a place that uniquely represents all of South Africa. This isn’t a building meant to replicate the European idea of the blindfolded lady holding the scale of justice. No, the structure is South African to its core.

The Constitutional Court is one of several buildings on Constitutional Hill that was once part of a fort that became an infamous prison complex. Tens of thousands of people were imprisoned there during apartheid, including for a short time Nelson Mandela.

The foyer of the court was designed as a metaphor for the African tradition of resolving disputes in a collaborative way by sitting together under a tree and collaborating to reach a restorative decision. There are beautiful handbeaded chandeliers that resemble the leafy branches of trees, narrow skylights that bring in dappled light, and benches and large stumps for seating. The hand-woven rug looks like the shadow pattern of dappled sunlight on a forest floor. The slanted supporting beams, each colorfully tiled, represent a forest. The whole space feels welcoming. And that’s just the foyer! In the main chamber, other elements of South African culture are everywhere, right down to the bricks from one of the demolished prisons that are incorporated as a symbolic reminder of what came before the democracy. 

Possibly my favorite part of the building was the rotating exhibit of contemporary South African art. Including art as an integral part of this building felt especially meaningful to me, as though the designers intentionally included ever-current always-changing representations of what the public is experiencing (wrestling with? Celebrating?) in ways that everyone can connect with regardless of age, language, or literacy level. 

And that was just the first stop of the day!

All of this—the Constitutional Court and everything else on the agenda—was thoughtfully contextualized by our guide, Daryl Howe. He’s an absolute treasure.

I’d like to finish up with a quote from Nelson Mandela that sums up the thematic elements of the Constitutional Court. “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains but to live in a way that enhances and respects the freedom of others. That perspective—caring for the freedom of others in a collaborative and restorative way—is one that I will carry with me long after this experience.

I’d like to enthusiastically thank the Borchardt Award for the funding that allowed me to participate in Global NC’s Global Teachers Southern Africa Program 2026. I’m so grateful for this opportunity!”

Mrs. Maggie Jackson
Craven County

“Today was our third full day in South Africa, and it was a moving experience. Thank you so much to the Ward-Ravenel Global Teacher Fellowship for allowing me to travel to Africa for this immersion program. It has been amazing so far, and I am excited for the days to come and what I can bring back to North Carolina.

Our day began at the Constitutional Court of South Africa. Walking into the building. Every aspect of the building, from its location and architecture to its artwork and courtroom design, was intentionally created to communicate the values of the Constitution: human dignity, freedom, equality, transparency, accessibility, and ubuntu (African word meaning “I am because you are). This is not just a functioning court; it is a symbol of South Africa’s complex legal history, including its role during and after apartheid. The court stands on the site of the former Old Fort Prison Complex, where prisoners were once segregated by race. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in the infirmary of this prison during the apartheid. Rather than erase their painful history, the architects intentionally incorporated it into the new building. It was both humbling and sobering to stand in a place where the law was once used to oppress but is now a tool for equity and change.

From there, we moved on to the Apartheid Museum, which was one of the day’s most powerful experiences. From the moment I entered, I was struck by the intentional design—separate entrances labeled “White” and “Non-“White”—immediately immersing visitors in the reality of segregation. The museum carefully walks you through the rise and fall of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial discrimination that governed South Africa from 1948 to 1994. The exhibits included photographs, videos, personal stories, and artifacts that brought history to life in a deeply emotional way. I found myself pausing often, reflecting on the resilience of those who lived through such injustice. The sounds of protest songs, the images of resistance, and the personal accounts created an atmosphere that was both heartbreaking and inspiring. It reminded me that while the past cannot be changed, it must be remembered.

Lunch at Chez Alina in Soweto offered more than just a break in our day—it became an experience rooted in connection and culture. Chez Alina began when the owner, Alina Mlotshwa, transitioned from working as a local tour guide to opening her own home as a dining venue. She wanted visitors to experience something real, not just a restaurant, but the feeling of stepping into a traditional four-room Soweto home. Sitting there, surrounded by the warmth of her space, I could feel that intention come to life. What made it even more meaningful was the role the community plays—local youth helped serve the meal, gaining confidence, work experience, and language skills. After a delicious lunch that included many traditional South African dishes, we were entertained by local singers and dancers who performed their traditional “Gumboot” dance. It wasn’t just a meal; it was an invitation into a community, a story, and a way of life.

Our final stop was Soweto, where we visited the monument honoring the youth of the 1976 uprising. Soweto itself is vibrant and full of life—children playing, music in the air, and a strong sense of community. But the Hector Pieterson Memorial stands in contrast, offering a solemn reminder of the past. The uprising began as a protest against the enforcement of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools, and it became a pivotal moment in the struggle against apartheid. Seeing the famous image of Hector Pieterson, a young boy carried after being shot, was incredibly emotional. It is one thing to read about history, but another to stand where it happened and feel its weight.

As the day came to a close, I felt a mix of emotions—sadness, admiration, gratitude, and hope. South Africa’s history is complex and often painful, but it is also a story of resilience, courage, and transformation. Today was not just a day of sightseeing; it was a day of learning, reflection, and connection. It is an experience I will carry with me long after this journey ends.”

Ms. Victoria Bridgers
Bladen County

”Hello! My name is Victoria Bridgers, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Simple Gifts Fund Award. Their generosity has made it possible for my colleagues and me to participate in the Global Teachers program, which has been an incredible experience for us.

This program has provided me with the best professional education I’ve ever had in my twenty years as a history teacher. I’m incredibly grateful to have been included in this wonderful program.

One of the highlights of the program was visiting community school programs and speaking with high school students and locals. It was a truly enlightening experience. We also toured the Apartheid Museum and dined at a local Soweto restaurant, where teenagers performed the Gumboot dance. It was a powerful reminder of the dualities presented in South Africa.

Throughout the program, we’ve been able to learn about the complexities of the country’s politics, history, and current economic situation. Our tour guide, Snowy Mattera, explained the nuances of Nelson Mandela’s participation in a social movement and why countries like America perceived his organizational actions as communist. This perspective helped us understand why America resisted supporting Mandela.

On our journey from Mandela’s extravagant home, we witnessed the stark contrast between the wealthy elite neighborhoods of South Africa and the shacks made of random pieces of corrugated steel and other materials. The stark contrast of life in South Africa was glaringly evident as we saw people desperately searching to improve their lives. 

The Sowetoans, among the gracious South Africans we’ve had the pleasure of interacting with, have instilled a profound sense of hope in humanity. Each individual engaged with us in an open, kind, and responsive manner, making us feel at ease and confident in asking questions that revealed our naivety about South African culture and customs. The depth of knowledge South Africans possess about their country, history, and culture is truly inspiring. I aspire to impart this feeling of self-awareness, a sense of their own history, and a sense of belonging to my students.

Our next stop was the Apartheid Museum, a beautifully designed space that presented the country’s history with a profound sense of thoughtfulness and compassion, effectively conveying the tragedy of Apartheid to its visitors. From the outset, the immersive nature of the museum was evident in the segregated tickets, the physical environment where “whites” ascended using a ramp while “blacks” had to use stairs, and the sensation of descending underground to witness the truth in a country that often had to covertly resist government oppression. The museum’s portrayal of key figures like Archbishop Desmond Tutu as a haven of open refuge, light, and integrity provided a stark contrast to the underground and brutal world of Apartheid. Through the use of primary sources, art, and various forms of media, the museum effectively shared the tragic yet inspiring history of Apartheid.

Our journey through Soweto culminated in an incredible lunch filled with delicious and vibrant native South African foods. To conclude the experience, we were treated to a historic and cultural Gumboot dance that highlighted the significance of the mining industry in South Africa. This experience further deepened our understanding of the beautiful world that showcases the dualities of South Africa.  

Our experience today offered a glimpse into the multifaceted aspects that reveal the intricate nature of the social, economic, and political realities. Simultaneously, it presented authentic art, music, and dance, enriching our comprehension of this beautiful, hopeful country in a manner that literature and the internet could never have achieved.

Your generosity has provided us with a fresh, profound perspective that my new friends and I can carry back to America and share with colleagues, students, and our communities.”