Democracy is not a spectator sport

Goucher College’s Eric Singer speaking with a Bush Radio intern

Yesterday (21 January 2013) Bush Radio hosted students from Goucher College in the United States of America.

The group was accompanied by their Political Science and International Relations lecturer, Eric Singer.

The visit was part of the students’ three-week journey researching about South Africa’s history, political and social dynamics.

“This is our third week here; so far we have met with the media, activists, farm workers and street vendors to get a better understanding of the complexity of changes facing South Africa” Singer said.

The group found out how ethnicity, culture, class and gender are involved in society’s ability to solve the country’s social challenges.

“The students are aged between 19 and 23, most have never been outside of their home country, and were shocked that some of the problems they faced back home were the same in South Africa” Singer added.

Singer said that what they have learnt in South Africa was that creating change is not about drafting legislation or forking out money, it is about communities creating space for social development.