Dora's - Fight For Equal Rights
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Preface
This is a fictional story based on true events that occurred during the Apartheid Era in South Africa. My aim in writing this short story is to foster awareness about racism by mainly focussing on the 1960s-1980s (20th century) when the Apartheid system was in place. My intention is to send across the message of how discrimination occurred in South Africa and reminding human kind the challenges that one had to face.
My particular inspiration to write about the prejudice that took place in South Africa came from my past nanny, Dora. She had worked for and taken care of a wealthy Jewish South African family for over three decades throughout the Apartheid era. One day without notice, they decided to leave the country, leaving her with no pension. This family was very close to her heart, as she had raised three of their children and was left heart-broken. As she needed a job and my family needed a domestic worker, Dora came in one Monday morning for an interview. I was one year old at the time, and she told my mother that she would be prepared to clean the house but she felt that she was too old to take care of me. We agreed to Dora’s conditions and our family was so content, as she was an amazing worker and a phenomenal, principled person. With time, Dora fell in love with me and hence called me her little “Dudu”. I feel that I have many principles today, because of the qualities that she taught me about life. Sadly Dora passed away with cancer in 2006, but will always retain a special place in my heart. This book is dedicated to her, as it describes the harsh times that the non-whites had to face during the Apartheid era.
I based the fictional story on real events as I thought it would be the best way to communicate the historical occurrences to readers. I used fictional characters but included a few distinct people that made significant differences in the Apartheid era such as Nelson Mandela. My purpose in using fictional characters was to create an emotional connection between the readers for them to comprehend the difficulties that different social communities faced. The book also intends to educate readers about South Africa and the 20th century of the Apartheid era.
I have written the division of chapters by using different character voices such as Dora and Danie. I have written it in two character perspectives, as I want to express both sides, the white side and the non-white side of the Apartheid system.
The story is about a sixteen year old black girl that lives in Soweto with her mother Anesu. Anesu takes care of the white Coetzer family that lives in Boksburg, Johannesburg. In the family, she takes care of a sixteen-year-old boy named Danie that initially is influenced by the white racist society to believe in favour of discrimination until he meets Dora. This event changes his perspective about Apartheid and leaves him in a conflicted situation. However Dora believes that she can make a change. Supporting her closely is her friends, Hector Pieterson and Kimone Lesendi, which convince her that together they can change a law by peacefully rioting in front of the Department of Bantu Education. Nevertheless things swiftly change directions, and the situation gets out of control.
Whilst writing this story, I have gained facts of information and insights to real life situations. Since it is a fictional story but based on real events, I had to research the facts of each main event that occurred. I have included the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, and the Soweto school massacre in 1976 which upon researching I have gained different perspectives of the Apartheid and have fully understood other opinions of non-whites and whites.
I would like to acknowledge Joana Do Vale’s help in guiding me throughout this project. I would also like to thank my parents; who gave me an insight to their perspectives of the Apartheid system.