What major historical events do you remember?
I have walked this earth for 50 years. So many major historical events have taken place over this time.
Let me start back in 1981. The Royal Wedding. I was in grade 3 and we were so excited. My teacher had brought a TV to school so that we could watch. It was like watching a fairytale come to life,
I remember the newspaper reports detailing the sheer euphoria of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It blew everyone’s minds!
In February 1990, it was South Africa’s turn! Nelson Mandela was released from prison. I was in matric (grade 12) and suddenly the world was my oyster. I remember my friend and I going to Wimpy (a family restaurant chain) as often as possible because now we could actually sit inside the restaurant and eat. The following year, I was able to attend what was traditionally a white’s only tertiary institution. It was fascinating to go to class with people of different races all of I sudden.
I remember standing in the queue with my mother to cast my vote on the 27th April 1994. It was a sunny day. I voted at the voting station in the suburb where I grew up. It was so exciting to be a part of history! I remember seeing the long winding queues at voting stations around the country on TV that day. . It was an amazing day. Democracy had officially arrived in South Africa. I have voted in every election since because I treasure this very precious right to vote that so many fought and died for.
Do you remember where you were on September 11 2001? I was at work. It was after 3pm and my boyfriend called to tell me that a plan had hit the towers. Then he called to say a second plan had hit. He was at home sitting mesmerised in front of the tv. I got home before the towers collapsed. We, like the rest of the world, were in shock. We were horrified at what had just happened. I think the horror of that event is seared in our collective memories.
I’ll end with that truly sad day on the 31st August 1997 when the news broke that Princess Diana had died. It was a cold, wet Sunday morning. Our hearts were broken. The beautiful fairytale princess of my childhood was no more.
This is just a taste of those historical events that are imprinted in my memory. No doubt there will be lots more to come. What events have been imprinted on your memory?
Grounded African 