'I just want what the white people have' - What Happened to Cynthia's Dream in South Africa

 

'I just want what the white people have' - What Happened to Cynthia's Dream in South Africa

As the sun sets over the vibrant streets of Soweto, South Africa, I'm transported back to a moment that has stayed with me for over 30 years. It's a story that has haunted me, a reminder of the injustices and inequalities that still plague this beautiful country.

It's a story about Cynthia, a young woman who grew up in a small township, surrounded by poverty and inequality. She was born into a world where the colour of her skin determined her opportunities, her access to education, healthcare, and basic human rights.

I first met Cynthia in 1990, when I was reporting on the struggles of black South Africans under apartheid. She was a bright-eyed teenager, with a spark of determination in her eyes. She told me that she dreamed of one day owning her own home, of having a better life for herself and her family.

"I just want what the white people have," she said, her voice trembling with frustration. "I want to live in a nice house, with running water and electricity. I want to be able to afford my own food, my own clothes. I want to be treated like I'm human."

As I walked away from that interview, I couldn't shake the feeling that Cynthia's dream was a pipe dream. That the systems of apartheid were so entrenched, so deeply rooted in inequality, that it would take generations to change.

Fast forward 30 years, and I've returned to South Africa to follow up on Cynthia's story. As I drive through the streets of Soweto, I see that not much has changed. The townships are still crowded, still poverty-stricken. The roads are still rough, the schools still under-resourced.

But there are glimmers of hope. I visit Cynthia's old neighbourhood, and I see that she has built a small home for herself and her family. She has worked hard to create a better life for herself, despite the obstacles she has faced.

"I've learned to be grateful for what I have," she says, her eyes shining with tears. "I've learned to appreciate the little things in life. But sometimes, when I'm lying in bed at night, I still think about that dream I had all those years ago. I still want what the white people have."

As I leave Cynthia's home, I'm left with a sense of sadness and frustration. That despite the progress that has been made in South Africa, there is still so much work to be done.