Day 8, Friday 20 April 2012

 

Lizette Le Roux knows how to unleash dark memories

 Today we had an emotional session with Lizette Le Roux on multiculturalism.  It is crucial that we embrace the many diverse cultures that are prevalent in our society and that we know how to manage it in the workplace.  This helps me to be sensitive to others' backgrounds and to acknowledge the different experiences each of us had during the Apartheid Era in South Africa.  Sitting comfortably in a circle, Lizette allowed each student to unlock painful memories of racism and to share these with the class.  This exercise enabled us to remember and come to terms with our history and to make peace with ourselves and those who inflicted pain. For some of us who could not claim to be victims of Apartheid , but instead part of those who induced and practiced racism, the exercise proved to be even more challenging and emotionally traumatic. Many years later, for these individuals who belonged to the ruling minority, recollection of  unpleasant memories meant being forced to explain their discriminatory actions. 

The visit to Constitutional Hill only reinforced this recollection and elicited even more emotions from us all.  I was appalled at the degrading and humiliating actions prisoners were forced to perform.  I was very humbled by these realities but very appreciative of the fact that we have a new democratic society, free from oppression.  I was also very inspired by the visit to the Constitutional Court Library as I too work at a law library. Decisions made at the Constitutional Court have ground breaking implications for South African law in general.  

Each Judge has a secretary and two researchers. The library structure is as follows: The Deputy Director, Head of the library , has one Assistant Director for reference services, one library assistant and two reference librarians.  In addition there is one Assistant Director for technical services and in this department there are three library assistants, one cataloguing librarian and one acquisition librarian.  A full complement of information workers is essential to assist patrons and especially, the judicial officers.

I had many questions for the librarian, Miss Mikateko Khangala, who performed the tour, as I enjoyed comparing this library with the law library at UCT.  I was surprised to learn that we have full access to certain law databases that the CC library does not, and that UCT has access to others which are supposed to be unique to the CC library!

I also learned that this library has some of the original Roman-Dutch Law collections which it shelves in ordinary glass cabinets amongst other books - UCT law library has the full collection which dates back to 1475, and has to maintain it well by keeping it in a temperature controlled environment behind glass doors. 

The CC Library has a very special collection called the Welsh Library which was donated and which consist of the Judges' Reading Room. It is here where they consult material for court matters such as case law and legislation.  I am very tempted to venture into this territory in the future - how very uplifting and inspirational it would be to serve the Decision Makers of our basic human rights!

Below are pictures of the CC library as well as the prison fort and cells.  I still cannot believe that I was standing in the same cell that Nelson Mandela used to frequent.  Letters which he had written and which were signed by fellow political inmates are displayed in cabinets.  Collages depicting iconic figures such as Mahatma Ghandi, Joe Slovo and many others fill the walls of many cells.

The women's prison can very easily reduce many to tears.  Separate cells were kept for non-white ladies who, needless to say, bore the brunt of much harsher treatment than their white counterparts.  Each cell  displays some of their belongings and videos of their tales, such as that of Daisy de Melker, the woman who is notorious for poisoning each of her husbands.  We were told that her cell is haunted by her ghost....

The solitary confinement cells, lavatories, and eating areas are heartrending.  The appalling circumstances under which prisoners experienced these very basic amenities humbled all of us.  I shall never forget this visit as long as I live - it was a fusion of South Africa's dark past (prison cells) with our new democratic dispensation (court and library).

 "Constitutional Court" in our eleven languages

The entrance to the CC Library

The Welsh Library was donated to the CC library

The Constitutional Court

Inspirational words

Mural of Democracy

CC Library - view from upstairs

Nelson Mandela's signature amongst those of other fellow political inmates

The prison fort at Constitutional Hill

Mathatma Ghandi - yet to be unveiled.  We were the first to set eyes on this statue

The Flame of Democracy

The notorious Daisy De Melker

Our Heroes

The dreaded " Red Buckets".  Women who disobeyed prison rules were forced to stand in the courtyard holding these buckets for hours until they have learned their lesson

Significant artifacts on display

"Comfortable Prison beds"

Myself and colleague, Thami, at the doorways to the solitary confinement cells