Inside South Africa's Forgotten White Underclass - Life After Apartheid Exposed

[00:00:02]South Africa, the continent's biggest success story and one of the most stunning countries in the world. It's >> me being a tourist. Don't judge me. I'm way too cool for things like that.

[00:00:14]>> But this country has a very dark past.

[00:00:17]As a black man, I wouldn't have even been allowed to set foot on this very beach just 20 years ago.

[00:00:24][music] For over a century, a white supremacist government controlled the nation and brutally oppressed black people.

[00:00:37]>> They've got no education. They've only just come down from the trees.

[00:00:41]>> This system of racial separation was called apartheid and was only abolished in 1994 when Nelson Mandela and the ANC came to power.

[00:00:52]>> Today marks the dawn of our faith. There has been such extreme levels of segregation here and knowing that that ended only two decades ago, I'm desperate to see how that has changed the lives of people just like me, if at all.

[00:01:07]Poverty is rife here. And today, people talk of a new underclass emerging. It's not black people.

[00:01:14]>> That's the way to do it. [music] >> But white.

[00:01:18]>> I can't imagine anything worse than waking up in there.

[00:01:21]>> We are going to take that belongs to us.

[00:01:24]With years of hatred to overcome, >> we're going to kill them.

[00:01:30]>> And both sides still playing the race card.

[00:01:32]>> Most white people learned black [music] people the things they know today.

[00:01:37]>> I want to find out what life is like for [music] the young white South Africans.

[00:01:41]>> Some of them now are very racist >> who think they [music] are now bottom of the pile.

[00:01:46]>> It's not a place to live here. Not for the children.

[00:01:49]>> If you are black, you better off. If I was a white guy, that [music] would piss me off.

[00:01:55]>> And discover whether the nation will ever move on from [music] its tortured past. Stupid man. We will never agree.

[00:02:02]Never. That's why the world is a [ __ ] >> Johannesburg, South Africa's biggest city.

[00:02:15]20 years on from apartheid. Some people claim that this country is still governed by racist policies.

[00:02:22]Only this time they say it's white people, not black people being oppressed.

[00:02:29]What the white experience of Africa is for me is really, really intriguing.

[00:02:35]Some people believe since the ANC came into power, there's been a flip because all of the opportunities have been afforded to the black people and the white people are now secondass citizens and are being neglected. But that can't be the case surely.

[00:02:51]On the edge of the city lies a notorious camp called Coronation Park, a place where some of the hardest hit white South Africans have made their home.

[00:03:01]>> Coronation Park fills me with a little bit of apprehension. And that apprehension is based on the way that they may take me, the way they may receive me, and the way they may judge me straight away because I'm a privileged young black man.

[00:03:19]It's made me a little bit more nervous thinking about it. During a parttheid, Coronation Park was a picnic place for white middle-class families, but it's become something very different. Oh, this is it.

[00:03:34]A permanent home for a white underclass.

[00:03:46]>> It's a camp in the middle of a park.

[00:03:49]They're living in a rough trailer park.

[00:03:52]In the UK, you sort of get used to seeing images of young black kids in poverty.

[00:03:58]I've never seen those same images but with white children.

[00:04:05]I'm really thrown by that.

[00:04:10]>> Outsiders aren't generally welcome. All new arrivals need permission to be here from the camp leader Irene, who's lived here for 8 years. She's agreed to let me stay.

[00:04:21]>> To see white people in South Africa barefoot in a settlement in a park, >> that's blowing my mind. Yeah, >> because that is not what we see uh across, you know, across the I mean, we don't see that in in Europe. What's the common thread? What normally brings people here?

[00:04:37]>> I don't know. I think because they lost everything, there's no jobs for the white people. Did understand me. I'm not arrested or there's no jobs for our white people. You want paycheck away from this place >> because something can happen to you and you will end up here.

[00:04:54]The settlement sort of stretches all the way down. Can we have a little look? Do you mind taking me around?

[00:04:58]>> Yeah, I will take you around and you can check.

[00:05:02]>> Coronation Park. It's like a white squat camp. It's like you can stay here and we will look after you.

[00:05:10]>> Do they build their own shacks? Do they have to pay to be here?

[00:05:13]>> No, they don't pay to be here.

[00:05:15]>> That's literally a shed. Is that someone living in this >> in the back of it? Yeah.

[00:05:20]>> Wow. How many people are there in Coronation Park?

[00:05:23]>> 287.

[00:05:25]>> Hello.

[00:05:26]>> Hello.

[00:05:28]>> We running on generators. We haven't got cover yet.

[00:05:32][music] >> With no proper sanitation and dozens of stray animals roaming around. Health [music] is a real concern.

[00:05:41]The government has repeatedly tried to shut the camp down as new people arrive all the [music] time. How you doing? I'm I'm Reggie. What's your name?

[00:05:49]>> Jade.

[00:05:49]>> Jade. Hello.

[00:05:50]>> 27year-old artist JD turned up last month with his mom, two kids, and pregnant wife.

[00:05:57]>> That's absolutely beautiful.

[00:05:58]>> That's what I do. I travel the whole country and drawing all over the place.

[00:06:02]>> So, where have you come from?

[00:06:04]>> Originally from Cape Town.

[00:06:05]>> How have you ended up here in Coronation Park?

[00:06:08]>> I've been hit by love. You know, >> hit to my knees. You know, it's difficult for white folks these days. It really is. We don't have the ball in our court anymore.

[00:06:20]Um, we are not the chosen ones if you want to put it that way and it's the truth.

[00:06:25]>> Most white South Africans are descended from Dutch settlers and called Africans.

[00:06:31][music] >> During apartheid, they saw themselves as a superior race.

[00:06:36]>> We cannot mix with the lower nations unless they are cultivated.

[00:06:42]>> Given the best jobs and education, creating a super wealthy white elite.

[00:06:48]>> [music] >> In 1990, everything changed.

[00:06:54]The leader of the Black Resistance, Nelson Mandela, was released from prison.

[00:07:00][music] While over 50% of privately [music] held assets here are still owned by the white minority, Africana charities believe a new underclass has formed with many living in settlements just [music] like this one.

[00:07:21]>> Where should I put my tent? Where's a good place to pitch up?

[00:07:23]>> You should do something.

[00:07:23]>> What do you mean there? We're going to put it on the ash. Will you guys help me put on my tent?

[00:07:28]>> Yeah.

[00:07:28]>> Come on then. What are we doing? There we go. All right, let's peg this up.

[00:07:32]I've only stayed in a tent once before and um while I was making it, I wasn't getting whipped in the ass by some uh >> some kid called Winston.

[00:07:43]>> When did you do this?

[00:07:48]>> Nearly a third of all the people living here are under 16. I'm not sure how the future looks for teenagers like Winston.

[00:07:55]>> Do you think you'll always live here?

[00:07:59]>> I don't know.

[00:08:00]>> Do you want to move out of here?

[00:08:01]>> No. Yes.

[00:08:03]>> Why?

[00:08:04]>> It's the people is only drinking and fighting, kicking.

[00:08:09]>> Really? So, if you do move out of here, >> and people ask you where you grew up when you're older, when you're my age, are you going to say Coronation Park?

[00:08:20]>> Why?

[00:08:23]>> There's some people's going to make fun of you.

[00:08:31]>> [music] [music] >> You going to look after me and give me some um sandwiches and tea before bed?

[00:08:41]>> No, I will give you some food.

[00:08:43]>> Can I help out?

[00:08:45]>> After dark, more young people flood into the camp. As well as child benefits, many residents survive on handouts, including hot drinks and sandwiches given out three nights a week. You ask them how much coffee [music] they want.

[00:08:58]Say >> coffee.

[00:09:00]>> Coffee drink.

[00:09:03]>> Coffee or tear.

[00:09:05]>> Coffee of tea.

[00:09:08]>> Learn Africans. Check that out.

[00:09:10]>> How you been man? What you been doing?

[00:09:13]>> Um drinking.

[00:09:14]>> Drinking today.

[00:09:24]>> Hey, evening. She's a little mug.

[00:09:27]>> I didn't think about what the rain would do here.

[00:09:29]>> Unemployment here is very high. One person who does have a steady job is Irene's son.

[00:09:36]>> He works as a welder.

[00:09:37]>> Hey, how are you?

[00:09:39]>> I'm good, thank you, man. I've not met you before. I'm Reggie. Hello.

[00:09:42]>> Hello. Lovely to meet you. Is that your wedding pictures I can see over there?

[00:09:45]You scrub up well, don't he?

[00:09:46]>> Yeah.

[00:09:47]>> He looks good in a suit.

[00:09:49]>> Flowers from the wedding day. You still got them. [laughter] >> I don't want to grow them.

[00:09:53]>> Yeah. Right. Despite working, his wage isn't enough to cover rent for a proper house for his wife and three kids.

[00:10:01]>> Just how difficult is it to raise a small child in in a place like this?

[00:10:06]>> It is difficult because the generator is on, but when you sleep at night and he wakes up, the generator isn't on. Then you must struggle to get light and what whatsoever.

[00:10:17]>> And there isn't always hot water because you must make fire to get hot water. So yeah, that's a problem.

[00:10:26]>> Do you worry about how um how how healthy a situation it is for him because I'd imagine that it's probably quite easy for him to get ill is dirty, you know, >> especially with the small one. Uh and Zander, they they get sick fast, you know.

[00:10:41]>> It's not a place to live here. Not for the children. I can't live here anymore.

[00:10:49]>> I tried my best from the start. I I was working since I was 16, you know. Um, and from then I I I just tried, you know, uh, build up my education and and and tried to be what I am.

[00:11:03]>> You look quite emotional.

[00:11:04]>> Yeah. Yeah. When it come to my kids and my wife. Yeah.

[00:11:08]>> What is it about your family that makes you so emotional?

[00:11:11]>> Uh, I think it's because uh, I know I try hard, you know. Uh, maybe I don't try hard enough. I don't know. But to to see them suffer like this, it it makes me >> Do you think your children are suffering?

[00:11:26]>> Um well, they don't have the life what I want for them, you know, and I I I think that for them is suffering. You know, [music] the harsh reality of being at the bottom of the ladder out here is that that can happen to you. This is it for them.

[00:11:51]Yeah. Kind of keep you awake, wouldn't it?

[00:12:08]>> Oh god.

[00:12:10]>> Wake up.

[00:12:11]>> What's wrong with you? Like what?

[00:12:14]>> Come out >> and do what?

[00:12:16]>> Play cricket. play cricket. [music] >> Is that what I mean? Okay, I'll put the next one on for you.

[00:12:27]>> You're going to chop off my fingers, bro.

[00:12:28]>> You don't need your fingers.

[00:12:30]>> Ah, come on, bro. You're sliding like a sussy, man. Eat this thing, bro.

[00:12:37]>> That's the way to do it.

[00:12:39]>> You're going to go home smelling like smoke.

[00:12:42]>> I can live with that so long as I'm warm. What was your first night like here? terrible cuz it felt like there's a bunch of serial killers staying here.

[00:12:50][laughter] >> I'm really glad I asked you this question after my first night.

[00:12:55]>> Sleeping here as a grown man is one thing, but in a few months, JD will have a newborn baby to share his tent with.

[00:13:02]>> How does it feel knowing that your newborn will be brought here? I'm talking to Irene and them.

[00:13:09]They all know about the baby coming and I know in my heart it will be okay cuz they're going to help us. They will help us. Heard about it recently. I've read in the papers that the people around here might qualify for government housing. But >> why wouldn't you though? I mean, if ever there was anybody that needed help, particularly with a baby on the way, I would have thought that you'd be you'd be perfect for it.

[00:13:36]>> To me, government housing is is is a dream.

[00:13:40]I don't quite um I don't I don't see myself qualifying for government.

[00:13:47]>> Over 2 million people are waiting for social housing in South Africa. So, it's no surprise that JD doubts his chances of getting one.

[00:13:56]The wider situation is even more complicated as race still plays a part in some opportunities here.

[00:14:06]I've come to the center of Joberg to meet an old mate of mine, [music] celebrity DJ Sway, to get a different perspective. What's happening now for [music] young black South Africans?

[00:14:16]>> Oh, Re, what's up? How you doing?

[00:14:18]>> It's been years. I'm well, thanks. How's it going with you?

[00:14:20]>> See, I'm really good, man. I'm really good. I'm glad to be in uh in your neck of the woods, as it were. Okay, let's go to where you know.

[00:14:26]>> Take you where the girls are. [laughter] >> You're desperately trying to get me in trouble, my girl.

[00:14:30]>> This one is a good It's a good start.

[00:14:35][music] >> Siz is what's known here as a black diamond. A young black guy with a very healthy bank balance.

[00:14:42]>> People refer to you as a black diamond.

[00:14:44]>> I guess some people I'm a diamond in the rough. I need some polishing.

[00:14:50]>> But people like Sway are relatively [music] rare. Most of the wealth here is still in the hands of the old white masters and they live in lavish gated communities. Is this one property?

[00:15:01]>> Yeah.

[00:15:02]>> The houses just obscene. There's a huge gap in SA between those that have and those that don't.

[00:15:07]>> Is that why the walls are so high and the security?

[00:15:09]>> That's why the walls are so high.

[00:15:10]>> I mean, look, this is barb wire.

[00:15:12]>> Yeah. Electronic fences. [music] >> To try to rebalance wealth and opportunity, the government has brought in a policy [music] called affirmative action, AA for short.

[00:15:23]It's already transformed areas like the courtroom where over 60% of the most senior [music] judges are now black and the dream is to repeat that across all walks of life. In essay, if you are black, you better off right now.

[00:15:40]>> Well, why is that? Because it wasn't the case 20 years ago.

[00:15:42]>> Just because of everything, man. Like the odds are stacked to your favor now.

[00:15:46]Affirmative action. If I applied for a job, right, and a guy my age, same education as me, applied for the same position, uh, but he was white, I'd get the job, hands down. I mean, as a if I was a white guy, that would piss me off.

[00:16:04][music] >> Thank you, brother. Are you all right?

[00:16:10]you talking to Sisway in the car, you know, one of the things that kept coming up was the um the swing of power and [music] the white people feeling marginalized, you know, and feeling that they don't get the opportunities anymore. Reverse racism. I guess it's a very different time now. And if you're black, you will get opportunities in the way that you never used to.

[00:16:31]I've grown up thinking equality is about treating everyone [music] the same. But here, things are different. Until the '9s on these very streets, the ruling whites or boers treated black people as little better than animals. I don't like aarted because [music] in a Europeans go up and Africans go down.

[00:16:52]>> They were [music] forcibly removed from their homes to live together in massive ring fence compounds which later grew into townships.

[00:17:02]Everything was ruthlessly [music] enforced by the white regime.

[00:17:09]>> [music] >> I want to find out what it was like living under white rule on these streets.

[00:17:16]So, I've come [music] to meet 28-year-old Colin. He grew up in Alexandria, a township still full of black people, many living in poverty.

[00:17:24]>> As a kid, you were actually, I guess, old enough at seven or eight to remember >> between that age. Yes.

[00:17:29]>> Yeah. To remember some of the things that happened during a part. What What sticks out in your mind during that era?

[00:17:33]I remember when we called them the melo yellow vans. It was the police state vans. Immediately you see that yellow van. You knew you had to run to save your life because you never knew what would be predicted from the police or the state police cuz at times they would just literally stop to beat you up or not want you to congregate in the streets in groups and even today you know police are not the most likable people in the townships for example for that matter. People see a police van they see their enemy. In the mind of somebody like myself from the UK, when we think of segregation, the first thing that comes to mind is is the US in the 60s and the the struggles of black people in America. But this was going on in the '90s.

[00:18:13]>> In the '9s. Yes. I mean, >> it's so hard to get your head around.

[00:18:16]That's unbelievable.

[00:18:16]>> I mean, the last time it happened, it is 1994, which is sounds like yesterday.

[00:18:23]>> Black people who broke the aparttheid laws were sent to prisons like this one called the old Fort. Nelson Mandela was incarcerated here whilst awaiting trial.

[00:18:34]>> The only time you would find white wardens in this section, it was when they came to render humiliation towards the black prisoners. They would perform a strip search dance called the Ta dance.

[00:18:45]>> Strip search dance. What was the dance?

[00:18:48]>> The dance stipulated you strip naked, you spread your legs, you spread your arms, clap the hands above the head, leap in the air making a clicking sound, stretch your legs like stretch your legs. And if no object had fallen down, then the authorities would go in an extent of inserting a finger or a torch inside the rectums to see if there's nothing hidden. It was alleged that a torch.

[00:19:09]>> Men and women.

[00:19:10]>> Men and women. Yes.

[00:19:13]>> Wow.

[00:19:16]>> The most severe punishments were reserved for those who fought to change the system. These freedom fighters were kept in solitary confinement as a warning to others.

[00:19:27]Political leaders were sent here. It was the most severe form of punishment.

[00:19:31]Lying down flat on the ground, you feel like lying down in a grave.

[00:19:35]>> So, they weren't beds in here. There weren't a desk. There weren't chairs.

[00:19:40]There's no chairs. They were locked up here for 23 hours and only released for an hour of the day.

[00:19:51]>> I guess this is where uh prisoners were chained to. It's amazing to think South Africa has gone from official government brutality towards black people to affirmative action from just my parents' generation to mine. There's been so much injustice here that the anger is still so fresh and just putting my mom's face to this environment makes me angry. And that's just imagining it, not living it.

[00:20:27]On face value, it's bang out of order that white people aren't being given the same opportunities as black people. But when you think about how long it's been weighed in the favor of the minority, you can understand why it's been put in place. I'm not saying that I agree with it, but what I am saying is I get why so many people are still angry and why they think that it is imperative that it's in place.

[00:20:56]Although black and white South Africans now enjoy all the same freedoms, statistics South Africa claims that nearly [music] 16 million black people still live in poverty here. On that level, extra help for them makes sense.

[00:21:12]I'm holding the bat the right way. It's a good start.

[00:21:16]>> But I'm not sure where that leaves the squatters [music] in Coronation Park. I can't help wondering what people like Irene make of it after being [music] part of the privileged minority for years.

[00:21:26]>> Do you think that it's fair? Do you think it's right?

[00:21:28]>> I think yeah.

[00:21:31]>> You know what? You know what? If that what I say and I say that today, if our fathers and our fathers and fathers and fathers treated black people like normal people and didn't um let them work like like slaves and treat them like dogs, maybe would have be different today.

[00:21:50]That's that's the way of life cuz it's time now for us to pay for what our father did and there's nothing he can do about that.

[00:22:00]Irene strikes me as being resigned to her fate, but her son Ki is desperate to get his family out of here.

[00:22:07]>> Your mom said that she thinks it's almost a little bit like a balance now.

[00:22:11]It's almost more fair for the black people. Do you agree with that or disagree?

[00:22:15]>> I think that's [ __ ] 20 years ago, I still had [ __ ] So now I've got nothing.

[00:22:20]Now they they think it's balanced out.

[00:22:22]What happened years ago with with the black people and the white people was nothing to do with me. I wasn't there. I didn't fight the battles with the white people and the black people.

[00:22:32]>> So, you're saying your generation have done nothing to deserve this? Is that how you feel?

[00:22:36]>> Yeah, that's how I feel. Most most white people learned black people the things they know today, especially in my company as well. And at the end, they walk out get a better job with my knowledge and we sit in the shadow hole where we are today.

[00:22:51]>> But they feel marginalized. They feel that they're still suffering from the people that that that that caused the apartheid. You know, >> the time when when it was like the bur when they call themselves bur had the country in their hands. There was more food in our country, more job opportunities.

[00:23:10]>> That was also the aparttheite though, right? When the boy was in charge.

[00:23:13]>> Yeah. But they still still the black people had jobs and they were still >> They had no rights though.

[00:23:19]>> Yeah. They didn't have have rights. But even though white people, what rights do we have?

[00:23:23]>> But then at that time, it wasn't anything like now.

[00:23:26]>> Yeah, it wasn't. I can't say because I wasn't there. It's a black government.

[00:23:30]It's a black country. They don't want want white people here. That's what I think.

[00:23:35]>> Some of the stuff that he said made my blood boil. I don't agree with his views. But he wants a better life for his son. And he feels that the way things are, that's just not going to happen. Being in this and this being your world in its entirety, I understand why you might feel that way.

[00:23:53][music] >> It may sit uncomfortably, but at least part of the reason is stuck [music] here could be because of affirmative action.

[00:24:04]And if it continues, I worry that Coronation Park [music] could keep growing, creating more race resentment for young people in South Africa.

[00:24:13]It's mad how different this place is in the dark, isn't it? I just think it's a bit more intimidating cuz you just don't know where you are, what's around, and um what you're walking into, you know.

[00:24:27]Definitely is a different vibe here.

[00:24:31]>> Hey guys.

[00:24:32]>> Hi.

[00:24:34]>> Camp experience, you have to sit in the stump. There's a very dangerous spider around you. In Africans, you call it a suck spac.

[00:24:42]That thing could kill you.

[00:24:43]>> Why are you saying that before I sit down on the stump? [laughter] >> I don't want a sucks pinnacle getting in my bum.

[00:24:51]>> The way things are set up here, there are so many hurdles for you to get back to where you were. There are things in the way that aren't your fault. And that just makes me angry.

[00:25:01]>> I can't really say it's not my fault. I ended up here for a reason.

[00:25:07]Nobody comes in here just because the country screwed up. Nobody comes in here like that. They come in here because they screwed up. Can't blame everything on the system.

[00:25:21]>> No, that's the first time I've heard ownership since I've been here.

[00:25:24]>> Ownership.

[00:25:26]>> It's the first time I've heard ownership.

[00:25:28]>> Even a rich guy can find himself here in two weeks.

[00:25:33]Ask me. I've lost everything in I lived a dream.

[00:25:40]I was a rock star.

[00:25:43]Oh, in my head I still am.

[00:25:47]>> I used to sign boobs for a living, you know. [laughter] >> And I I had a selfish life, but I lived the dream and and everything that went along with it, I had and I lost it in a couple of days.

[00:26:10]>> Just a few years ago, JD was living in his own house with a pool. But since his music career ended, he struggled to find [music] his feet in modern South Africa and has been moving with his mom from place to place.

[00:26:25]This camp is full of people who've left their homes but don't know where they'll end up.

[00:26:33]Coronation Park isn't the only place that poor whites are squatting. Local newspapers report there are now over 80 camps dotted around Ptoria. This was once the spiritual homeland of the Africana nation, but in modern South Africa, the idea of a nation where white [music] people are in charge clearly has no future. It's not like a block of flats in its most traditional sense, but it definitely looks rund down. It seems to be both black and white here as well.

[00:27:06]This settlement is an abandoned care home as well as the poor Africanas. It's home to lots of recent black immigrants [music] from all over the continent.

[00:27:18]Black or white, [music] this place really does feel like the end of the line.

[00:27:39]>> Hello.

[00:27:41]>> Hello.

[00:27:42]>> Hi.

[00:27:43]>> Hi. Can I Can I come in and talk to you guys? Okay.

[00:27:46]>> [music] >> Is that all right?

[00:27:49]>> Hey, >> how's it going, man? I'm I'm Reggie.

[00:27:54]>> Hello. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.

[00:27:56]>> Hello. Can we come in?

[00:27:57]>> Yeah, come in.

[00:27:57]>> Is that all right?

[00:27:58]>> Hello.

[00:27:59]>> Hi.

[00:27:59]>> And how you doing? I'm I'm Reggie.

[00:28:01]>> Nice to meet you, Vivian. Is this your little one?

[00:28:04]>> Is that your Is that your youngster? Is that your baby? And this one here?

[00:28:06]>> This is my first one. This is my second one.

[00:28:08]>> Oh, wow. Congratulations. So, is this your family in here then? Yeah.

[00:28:12]>> Yeah.

[00:28:12]>> How old are you guys?

[00:28:14]>> I'm 20. It is 24.

[00:28:16]>> How long have you guys lived here?

[00:28:17]>> Uh, we've lived here for basically four years now.

[00:28:20]>> Who else lives in here? Because there's doors all the way down the corridor and they're all sealed.

[00:28:24]>> It's only white.

[00:28:25]>> It's only white.

[00:28:26]>> No black in in those rooms.

[00:28:28]>> There's three or four other buildings here. Do the blacks sort of keep to themselves.

[00:28:32]>> Yeah.

[00:28:32]>> Most of the time.

[00:28:33]>> Most of the time. Most of the time.

[00:28:34]>> Why do you think that is?

[00:28:36]>> Some of them are very racist and inside here they're also very racist.

[00:28:42]>> Yeah. Yeah, most of the people if they do know you and they do have respect for you, they actually just intend to leave you alone.

[00:28:47]>> You leave them alone, they will leave you alone.

[00:28:49]>> The only other place where I've heard someone speak like that is prison.

[00:28:53]>> That's the only other place where I've heard people speak about >> looking after yourself. Is that how you see it?

[00:28:58]>> That's how it works here.

[00:29:00]>> Do you know what? I'd love to see the um the rest of this building. Is it possible for you to show me around? Can I see some more?

[00:29:05]>> It's a bit dark down here.

[00:29:07]>> Yeah, no kidding.

[00:29:07]>> My grandmother's staying here. Well, Vivian's grandmother, actually. Wow.

[00:29:11]It's the whole family all in this.

[00:29:12]>> Yeah. Well, it's the mother >> one just here.

[00:29:14]>> Go.

[00:29:15]>> It's the grandmother and Vivian's mother that actually got us here. So, >> right.

[00:29:19]>> So, what's this through here? Is this shared?

[00:29:22]>> Everything's shared. But unfortunately, not everything works either. The toilets are they permanently blocked. These tubs, they don't work at all. They got water, but only cold water.

[00:29:33]>> Yeah.

[00:29:34]>> Showers.

[00:29:36]Look at that. Needles, drugs.

[00:29:39]>> So, that's everywhere now. Yeah, too many drug dealers moved in. Too many junkies moved in. We all know that it's not safe for the kids.

[00:29:45]>> Yeah, >> crime is rife here. But that's not [music] the only danger.

[00:29:51]>> These buildings are so old. If these roofs catch fire, it's it's over. It's done.

[00:29:56]>> 2 months ago, a resident built a fire in their room to keep warm. Unfortunately, it got out of control [music] and tore through an entire building.

[00:30:08]>> This is awful. Do people actually live in here still? Do >> people still actually live here?

[00:30:15]>> There's at least a roof over their heads.

[00:30:18]>> I can't imagine anything worse than waking up in there.

[00:30:22]>> I think in what 20 minutes it was >> the whole wing.

[00:30:28]>> This is the the hardest I think I've seen it >> in South Africa, you know.

[00:30:33]>> So, what's the future look like for your your little girl then? In South Africa, I wouldn't say too good.

[00:30:40]>> Neither Hardest nor Vivian have a legitimate job. To get by, they run an unlicensed shop out of their window.

[00:30:49]>> It's difficult for us to get work in South Africa, especially me. When I just moved into Ptoria 2010, I had 60 CVs that I actually gave out, resumes that I gave out to places. And it's difficult to find work in South Africa.

[00:31:02]>> Not even one says I'm going to call you back. Nothing. Why do you think it's so hard?

[00:31:06]>> Working place are racist as well.

[00:31:08]>> Not racist. You need more black employment than whites. It's how they work. If you if your skin color is not correct, unfortunately, you're not going to get it.

[00:31:26]which today was nothing.

[00:31:28]>> Unfortunately, there's no money to buy anything tonight, but I've still got some macaroni left and soup. So, that's what we'll be eating tonight.

[00:31:36]>> Macaroni and soup. That's what you have here. Yeah, >> that's what I have here for now.

[00:31:42][music] >> I don't want to seem judgmental. Just It almost feels like this isn't this isn't life right now.

[00:31:55]>> [music] >> Like anyone, I find it hard to witness poverty.

[00:32:01]But here in South Africa, it is very common. [music] Their Institute of Race Relations claims a staggering 45% of black South Africans also live below the bread line. But that doesn't make the plight of poor whites any easier to stomach.

[00:32:17]>> I can hear some music playing. Who Who's playing that music?

[00:32:20]>> Uh all the rich people. What did the uh rich guys come around here and park up their cars, play music, and >> Yeah. Joel, you know, >> when I was like these people, I was exactly the same way.

[00:32:35]>> Can you believe it's two different worlds?

[00:32:39]>> Can you believe it? Huh? See, >> can I can I can I be completely honest with you?

[00:32:43]>> Yes.

[00:32:44]>> When you spoke about rich people in my head, I had white people.

[00:32:49]>> Yeah. Not at all. Eh, >> they're all They're all black guys.

[00:32:52]>> They're all black guys.

[00:32:53]>> All black guys.

[00:32:54]>> Look at those people there. Most of them are young people.

[00:32:59]>> So they're getting what they deserve now.

[00:33:03]Fairness.

[00:33:05]>> Is this fair?

[00:33:07]>> Their moms and dads wasn't treated this way. They wouldn't have been allowed to come in here.

[00:33:13]So them enjoying their freedom.

[00:33:16]It's nothing wrong with that. You should go and ask them what they think about Coronation Park and you'll get your answer.

[00:33:23]>> I'm going to do that now.

[00:33:29]>> Hello guys. How you doing >> brother? Hello. Where have you guys come from tonight?

[00:33:34]>> Serto.

[00:33:36]>> So you guys are from the township?

[00:33:38]>> Yes.

[00:33:38]>> Nice. And you come out here to enjoy yourself for the night?

[00:33:40]>> Yes. Come down here.

[00:33:42]>> South Africa has come a long way.

[00:33:45]Some middle class black people live in Suetto now with cars, jobs, and money.

[00:33:51]Whilst it's strange to think this party wouldn't have even been allowed 20 years ago, it's even stranger that it is happening right next to the tents and shacks of hundreds of impoverished Africanas.

[00:34:03]>> There's a group of people living just over there >> permanently standing there.

[00:34:08]>> Living there or what?

[00:34:09]>> You didn't you didn't know that they that they were there?

[00:34:11]>> No, I didn't know anything because this is a park. I'm living in that squad camp tonight.

[00:34:15]>> You won't get white people here.

[00:34:17]>> You understand? Because what?

[00:34:19]>> You won't get white people living in the park.

[00:34:20]>> You won't.

[00:34:21]>> Well, I'm standing You prove something.

[00:34:23]>> I'm standing there tonight and there's a lot.

[00:34:25]>> There's white people in wrong. White people are living there.

[00:34:29]>> There are three days and then they're going home.

[00:34:32]>> No. 8 years.

[00:34:33]>> No, you're lying.

[00:34:34]>> You don't believe that there could be that many white people living that way over there.

[00:34:38]>> Why not?

[00:34:39]>> I don't believe.

[00:34:40]>> Why not?

[00:34:40]>> I'm I'm telling you straight. You're lying.

[00:34:42]>> No. I came over this hill expecting sort of arrogant, rich white kids. It was quite the opposite.

[00:34:51]White families still earn six times more than black ones on average. So, I can understand the stereotypes, I hold them, too. But if black people can't even accept white poverty, I can't see a way out for JD, Hardis, and I'm on my way back to see Hardis. I'm surprised to hear he's been given a lastminute job interview. It could be good news, but I'm finding it hard to be positive. I see his kids walking around barefoot, and I see used needles in the car and drug dealers hanging out seconds from his open doorway. It just really gets you down. It just makes you think, Jesus, that's interesting. There are police.

[00:35:43]>> Wow. Lots of police. I'm going to go and find out what's going on.

[00:35:54][music] >> Excuse me officer.

[00:35:56]>> If you get inside that side in that building, all the people is inside rape.

[00:35:59]>> Is there something happened in that building?

[00:36:00]>> I don't know if something's happened, but all the blank people are inside that building.

[00:36:04]>> Okay. Well, thank you.

[00:36:06]>> Something's going on.

[00:36:14]Hey, >> what's up?

[00:36:16]>> You all right, man?

[00:36:17]>> Yeah.

[00:36:17]>> So, what's what's happening?

[00:36:19]>> They're busy doing a raid >> for drug dealing.

[00:36:21]>> Drugs. Um, cigarettes. If you got a shop, if they find any cigarettes on you, they're going to confiscate it.

[00:36:26]>> You guys, >> well, luckily I'm a smoker, so I'm just going to say I smoke it.

[00:36:31]>> Uh, Vivian, I noticed that your uh your shop signs come down. So, if they'd seen the sign, what would have happened? They will search the room. If I find anything, they will lock me up or they will give me a fine.

[00:36:44]>> Vivian and Harders have been lucky. But escaping arrest isn't how I choose to prepare for a job interview.

[00:36:50]>> It's going to look like the Rainbow Nation today.

[00:36:52]>> Oh, really? Why is that even with black >> crazy colors? Do you not have any blacks and whites?

[00:36:57]>> No.

[00:36:58]>> There we go.

[00:37:00]>> That work.

[00:37:02]>> It's funny. No matter where you are in the world, there's wives still dressing their husbands.

[00:37:08]Bye-bye, Sienna. Seno >> Haris is interviewing for a doortodoor sales job.

[00:37:13]>> Looking sharp. Hello. Look at you.

[00:37:15]>> All right, let's go do this.

[00:37:17]>> It's a massive opportunity that doesn't come around very often.

[00:37:20]>> I applied for this job 2 years ago.

[00:37:23]>> Wow.

[00:37:23]>> 2 years ago. And they finally um >> called you out of the blue.

[00:37:27]>> This is a good 30inut drive from your place.

[00:37:30]>> How are you going to get here should you get the job?

[00:37:32]>> Walk.

[00:37:33]>> It's going to be a long walk, isn't it?

[00:37:37]get those nerves.

[00:37:39]>> You'll be fine.

[00:37:40]>> Sorted out.

[00:37:40]>> You'll be fine.

[00:37:43]>> So, what's the situation with um AA?

[00:37:46]>> I'm hoping that there's no no such thing in this opportunity. Even if there is, I'm still hoping that um I get I convince them to actually give me the chance.

[00:37:56]>> This is the first time I've actually seen him appear unsure about something.

[00:37:59]You know, in any scenario, you'd sort of understand, but in this one, there's so much more on his shoulders. You know, it's not just someone trying to get a job to earn some money to pay for their satellite subscription. I really hope Hardis can get his dream job, but competition is tough. This is just the first of three interviews he'll have to ace to stand a chance.

[00:38:23]Even if he does succeed, his ultimate goal is not just to leave his home, but to take his family out of South Africa.

[00:38:36][music] Like many Africaners I've spoken to, he's fearful for the future.

[00:38:44]I've come to a rally for a popular movement called EFF that's taking South Africa's poor black youth by storm.

[00:38:56]The Red Berets think affirmative action hasn't gone far enough. They're demanding more extreme measures to help black people out of poverty, [music] like taking back farmland and nationalizing lucrative minds.

[00:39:10]>> We are going to take that belongs to us.

[00:39:14]>> They've become controversial for singing an apartheid rebellion song, Shoot the Bua, kill the farmer.

[00:39:22]EF from old women to little kids, they're all screaming.

[00:39:30]>> Just because there's now a black government doesn't mean poor black Africans aren't still suffering or angry.

[00:39:37]>> We're going on 20 years of so-called independence. I'm only free to sit next to a white person on a bus, but I got no income. I got no money. I cannot buy anything for my children. My children just watch life going past. Talking to people like Hardis, you sort of get an idea that he feels like he's not part of what's happening in South Africa. He's no different to the people here. You know, they feel just as marginalized, just as >> as not listened to, and just as ignored.

[00:40:01]You know, >> people here want change and there's a militancy in the air. [cheering] >> Look at that.

[00:40:12]When their commanderin-chief, Julius Malemma, turns up, he gets a welcome that David Cameron could only dream of.

[00:40:36]>> [cheering] >> You need to come to Marana on the 13th.

[00:40:42]Now you must not sit back.

[00:40:50]>> The poise THE FARMER the po THE [screaming] The whole time I've been here, I've heard about this kill the boy song.

[00:41:06]>> Uh, clearly Malem has become hip to that because, you know, it's something that's really sensitive to the the African population out here. He's now changed the words of the song to kiss the boy.

[00:41:17]The funny thing is that's quickly followed by uh people going pow pow.

[00:41:23]>> Different words, pretty much the same meaning, YOU KNOW.

[00:41:32]I'VE NEVER SEEN any politician in Britain do was sing with the people and sing traditional songs. And he sang the the kill the boy song, but he changed the words to kiss the boy. Do you think it's a kill the first song? We are kissing the knowledge. We do not want to fight.

[00:41:47]>> We want to fight spiritually, not physically. We don't want to fight with guns and whatever. We have to fight knowledgeable knowledgeably and we have to fight with knowledge.

[00:42:03]>> I don't want to believe that everyone here wants to take violent revenge on white people. But chanting a hate song isn't building any bridges.

[00:42:14]A few years ago, Julius Malemma was tipped as a future president.

[00:42:18]But he's not someone many people in Coronation Park would vote for. [music] >> Why do you think that so many black people in townships are supporting of Malmo?

[00:42:30]>> Because they want to kill us.

[00:42:35]>> The shock.

[00:42:36]>> I definitely don't agree.

[00:42:37]>> He says, "Kill the B, kill the white one, kill the bird, kill the white one."

[00:42:41]They're going to kill us. They're going to kill us. As soon as he comes in, we're going to be killed. Our fathers before our fathers treated black people very bad. They did. And I think Julius MMA wants to just turn it around.

[00:42:53]>> But it's wrong. It's wrong. So why do you want to treat us like dirt because of what happened that time of year?

[00:43:01]>> It was a long time ago, but it's not that long ago. The fact that people are still alive who remember aparttheite is a problem. The fact that there are still people who are holding on to feelings from that era is a problem. And that is why there are some people, not all people, some people who feel a level of resentment and why there is anger between blacks and whites.

[00:43:25]>> Blood is blood is blood and flesh is flesh. So just leave it.

[00:43:29]>> There are lessons in what happened. And I think the only way that you move forward is learning from what happened as opposed to forgetting.

[00:43:35]>> People are stupid, man. There's people in this world, that's why the world is like it is because they can't forgive and forget what happened in their lives.

[00:43:44]That's why the world is a [ __ ] up.

[00:43:46]Straight talking, breaking no friendship. That's why the world is [ __ ] up.

[00:43:51]>> But to forget what's happened will be completely responsible because then you can't learn from what went wrong. And that is why hear me out anymore. I told you I told you now what I think about the light. I told you everything I know. Everything that I know. everything I want to say to you and that's that.

[00:44:08]>> We're not going to agree on that.

[00:44:08]>> We will never agree. Never. Let me tell you one thing, my friend. We will never agree.

[00:44:15]>> Forgiving and forgetting is um is not the way I live my life. I mean, I've got a tattoo on my arm that says never regret, never forget. You know, um I think it's important that you don't forget. It's definitely important that you forgive. And that's the only way that things are going to change here if people forgive. But you must never forget cuz if you forget, what the hell are you going to learn?

[00:44:39]>> There is no quick fix for the divisions and inequality in South Africa. The poor Africanas I've met are undoubtedly getting a rough deal now. But if there is a price to pay for decades of oppression, perhaps this is the least worst option.

[00:44:56]in Ptoria. Hardest has asked me to meet him after making it through to the final interview for his sales job.

[00:45:03]>> Okay, so today was the big day.

[00:45:05]>> Got some bad news and some good news.

[00:45:08]>> Okay. Uh bad news first.

[00:45:09]>> I need to wake up early tomorrow morning. Best news, I get to start working on my birthday, which is tomorrow.

[00:45:17]>> Oh my god, that's incredible. That's unbelievable.

[00:45:21][music] Congratulations. What a birthday present.

[00:45:24]>> Yeah, it is. It's I I really didn't expect this.

[00:45:28]>> What does this mean for you and your family then?

[00:45:30]>> Better life, which is what I've been hoping for, what I've been dreaming for.

[00:45:34]>> Yeah. Does Vivian know? Yeah.

[00:45:36]>> No, that's not quite for obvious.

[00:45:49][music] >> Congratulations. Good.

[00:45:55]>> Big news. What's the first thing you want to do?

[00:45:58]>> Just get out of this place. [crying] >> Move to a flat or something.

[00:46:03]>> I can't let them drop behind this place.

[00:46:07]>> When I got the yes uh after I left the office, it was it just it it felt like I was taking a huge load of stuff just off my shoulders. So, [crying] it it's a big change for me.

[00:46:22]I'm still going to make it. I'm still going to do it.

[00:46:25]>> It's been a pleasure meeting you. Take care. Best of luck. Okay.

[00:46:29]>> Okay. Thank you.

[00:46:30]>> Take care. See you later, little man.

[00:46:32]>> Bye-bye.

[00:46:32]>> See you later.

[00:46:34]>> Get a hug.

[00:46:34]>> Oh, do I get a hug? [laughter] >> Monkey. See you.

[00:46:39]>> Bye.

[00:46:40]>> See you later, LITTLE MONKEY.

[00:46:41]>> BYE.

[00:46:42]>> BYE.

[00:46:44]>> See you later.

[00:46:45]>> Bye, monkey.

[00:46:46]>> Goodbye.

[00:46:48]I'm really pleased that Hardest at least has made a positive change. I'd come here hoping to see [music] a rainbow nation, but there's clearly some way to go. Integration is happening, but only in pockets. And I'm surprised it's the poor African who feel they don't belong in South Africa anymore. Essentially, black and white people are victims of apartheid, [music] and they're still feeling the effects of it.

[00:47:15]It's a a problem that's affected poor, rich, white, and black.

[00:47:20]Do you think that you're a victim of apartheid still?

[00:47:27]Definitely my generation paying a price.

[00:47:34]Paying a price for our forefathers.

[00:47:38]South Africa's past is still haunting it.

[00:47:45]But it won't be like that always.

[00:47:48]Change takes time.

[00:47:51]It really does.

[00:47:53]>> Happy.

[00:47:54]>> Very happy. I look 10 years younger.

[00:47:56]It's amazing. Nice work.

[00:48:01]>> Byebye.

[00:48:03]>> See you later, guys.

[00:48:04]>> Bye. Always look to the trees and to the sky.

[00:48:09]Remember us then, too.

[00:48:15]It's a bit weird um seeing them react the way that they have to me and it's a if I'm going to be really honest, I feel a bit strange leaving. I mean, not that I want to stay here, but you know, I'm going home and I know what I'm going home to and um they're staying here. I mean staying here in this you know this is how kids play here. This is the reality for them here and good people really good people.

[00:48:56]My time in Coronation Park and Joeberg has come to an end the people I've been living with are in a very difficult [music] position but they still have made me very welcome and that's important.

[00:49:08]>> Thank you so much.

[00:49:09]>> Okay.

[00:49:09]>> Take care. I won't >> during the years of apartheid I wouldn't have even been allowed to step foot in this park and that is progress at least for me.

[00:49:25][music] >> [music]