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Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 22 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 18, 1992 Local teen witnesses racism in South Africa By Marnie Luke Port Perry Star When 18-year-old Shelia Bowness first arrived in South Africa for a year-long Rotary Club exchange program last July, she hated it. At night, she dreamt of green op , the smell of fresh air, and er own big backyard at home in Cannington. In the time she was away, she was shoved out of lines, swarmed and robbed, and had the back window of a van she was travelling in shot out. Once she adjusted to the pollution and crime, Cannington resident Shelia Bowness had the time of her life during an 11- month trip to South Africa. Please see story for details. Forder-Parks Insurance Brokers Inc. Personal attention to all of your general (msunance needs. 985-8471 34 Water St, Port Perry, Ontario 191, 1J2 MACKEY, BAILEY & KORB BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Saturday Mornings - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Oshawa Rd., Port Perry Lake Scugog Lumber Building 985-7391 GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES « ANNUAL RATES - Rates subject fo change without notice SCUGOG FINANCIAL SERVICES A DIVISION OF CRESSBROOK FINANCIAL PLANNING LTD. 250 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY *Serving Scugog for Over 15 Years" PHONE 985-3832 [The Port Peary Star But- months later, when it was time to return to Canada, Shelia didn't want to leave what had become her "second home". "Leaving South Africa was the most horrible experience of my life. I loved it so much by the end that I was crying and didn't want to go," she said. Shelia spent 11 months in the South African city of Veree- niging, where she lived with four different families. A predominantly industrial coal city, she said Vereeniging has the highest pollution count in the southern hemisphere. This, coupled with its stagger- ing crime rate, made going out- side for an afternoon stroll something for Shelia to think twice about. With a population of 300,000, more than 60 times that of Can- nington, it took her some time to adjust. "It was an ugly, ugly city. But I got used to wheezing every- time I stepped outside, and eventually fell in love with it," she said. She enjoyed nine months of sweltering hot, dry summer days, and the rest of her stay the weather was very cold. Shelia had to get used not only to the pollution and 40 de- gree Celcius temperatures, but also to the racial tensions. Although the population in Vereeniging is made up mainly of blacks, attended by almost all white Af- rikaner students. It wasn't un- til last January the school be- came integrated and 40 black students were allowed to at- tend. But such subtle appease- ments to apartheid are not en- tirely common in South Africa. "Vereeniging was the centre of many racial riots which cap- tured world-wide attention over the past year. - Although Shelia didn't see any of the violence first-hand, she did witness the aftermath, 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. L9L 1B9 (416) 985-7306 ALL LINES OF GENERAL INSURANCE National Victoria Vr |= 4. 19% 1 YEAR ANNUAL INTEREST 7.0% - 5 Year Annual Rates Subject to Change without Notice. NATIONAL TRUST A Division of Scugog Township's Award Community Newspaper Awards for: BEST FRONT PAGE BEST EDITORIAL PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY + ADVERTISING BEST ALL ROUND PAPER Shelia's school was and +was involved in some nerve-racking experiences her- self. : She was once separated from a group of friends and swarmed by several men, at least one of which was carrying a knife, and was forced to give them her wal- let. Late one evening while trav- elling by van with friends, She- lia heard a loud crackling noise and turned to see the back win- dow of the vehicle had been shot out. "The van we were in was the type normally driven by blacks, so I'm sure it was someone from the white Conservative Party who just: thought it would be fun to shoot at blacks," she said. Although she emerged from - both incidents unharmed, it did open her eyes to the problems of South Africa. "People shot at us because they thought we were black. It made me feel very sorry for the people who have to put up with that just because of their skin color," she said. But Shelia said she believes the English, and some of the Af- rikaners, are making efforts to end apartheid. -She said many of the riots are started by blacks who belong to radical 'anti-apartheid parties, who often shoot and kill their own people and later blame it on the police. "I know that may make some people here angry, and they may disagree with me. But I lived there, and saw the looting, killing, and shooting. Some- times the people fighting aren't even educated on what their party really stands for," she said. Shelia was fortunate to do a fair bit of travelling while away, and was able to see al- most all parts of the country. She spent most of her time in school, where the students spoke 'Afrikaan, a South Afri- can language which sounds like a mix of Dutch, German and French. She conversed with her peers and teachers in English, but did manage to pick up a few Afri- kaan expressions. When she first arrived, She- lia went out on a limb by trying out for a local drama club, and landed the lead role in the an- nual musical. he made many close friends, both at school and through the Rotary Club, which made leav- ing for home even harder. Because none of her school- ing in South Africa is applicable here in Canada, Shelia cut her trip a month short to take sum- mer school at Brock High School. She's been home for more than two months, and despite the reality of some hefty phone bills, Shelia said she's adjust- ing to her old lifestyle just fine, and is glad to be back. But she may not be here for long. "I'm already saving for a trip back. I miss it.too much to stay away, so I hope to go back to see my friends within the next two' or three years." Financial and | Business s Planning Corporations - Farms - Small Business Income Tax - Planning and Preparation 204 CASIMIR ST., PORT PERRY LSL 1B7 985-9725 Port Perry Baptist Church ) 2210 Hwy. 7A & Island Road, Port Perry Pastor David S. Daniels -- 985-8681 Come To The BIG BIBLE BROADCAST VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL August 24th to 27th, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. * For ages 3 - 14 years All welcome » Games » Crafts » Fun Ladies Class « Crafts - Bible Study Nursery Provided » Free 2 DEAN WATSON AUTO SALES LIMITED is pleased to announce the addition of Gary Smith ------ to their sales team. Gary is a resident of Port Perry & actively involved in Minor Hockey. Please feel free to call Gary with regards to New & Used Cars or Trucks, purchase or lease. Call 985-8302, 852-3313 or 640-2793.