Joel Williams

This dispatch is written by Joel Williams. He is a concentrator in brain behavior and cognitive science with a minor in CAAS. He has been the resident coordinator at Trotter House. These next four dispatches will focus on the people the students have met and each writer has chosen one person who to them made Africa more meaningful. This falls within one of the core principles of the POA that Africa is discovered through its people and it is their respectful relationships with Africans that will give them new eyes to see the world. Joel has chosen to write about Rangoato Hlasane. It is entitled Defining South Africa.

Enjoy. Nesha

Rangoato Hlasane
Defining South Africa

I first met Rangoato Hlasane (Ra) knowing that the experience would not be familiar to me, but excited for what was to come. Our interactions were effortless, going off without a hitch, but it was the moment that he gave himself over to the group that changed my own personal experience and the way I would feel about South Africa. Rangoato Hlasane is a vital part of the Pedagogy of Action experience in Johannesburg, arranging our Teachings at the University of Johannesburg and the Twilight Children’s Center. He is a Visual Artist, a graduate of the University of Johannesburg as well as a teacher. As a community activist he is able to construct programs within the historic Drill Hall, focusing completely on the community.

In giving himself over to our group, Ra let us into his life completely, gradually but completely, giving us insight into the workings of his mind and the past troubles that are a part of his balanced awareness. What seized my attention about Ra were the little things, from simple greetings to a natural hug, Rangoato easily gained my trust. It is these little things that have always mattered to me. He expresses himself in a way that I wish I was comfortable and confident enough to execute; his confidence seems to stir from within him and I can see that culturally it is expected and nurtured. In a short period of time, Ra was able to own his space in our realm of interaction throughout Johannesburg and give to me an understanding of the people of South Africa and what the people around the world should be like.

Through my interactions with the people, South Africa has evolved from a foreign country to a familiar place. The people of South Africa invest in each other, they invest in other people. To be a South African is to live with and for the people.  Africa is essentially defined through the people, specifically individuals like Rangoato Hlasane. To continuously meet persons that are invested in life and sharing their life, whether it is knowledge through their experiences or generosity through actions, is inspiring. My own personal life has continued to revolve around others, and to my shock this concept has always been rejected. I have always been challenged in my pursuit to please others, challenged in my obsession and concern with others and to see that this is nothing but a norm, forces me to accept my own humanity. Rangoato is the South African that made me see this country through his eyes. This gift has made me completely infatuated  with  the  humanity of the Africa I have seen so far. To treat me as a brother  as something that is not foreign but normal, characterizes a major part of the people of South Africa.

South Africa defined is essentially the people.

Signing Off, POA 2010 team member,

Joel Williams