On January 17 2012 the SASA class of 2012 travelled to the “Cradle of Humankind” in Gauteng, South Africa. This site is widely recognized around the world as the place where humankind originated and man took its firsts steps. “Maropeng” means returning to the place of origin in the Setswana language; and for that day our class had returned home.
The Maropeng site was an interactive, self guided tour that led the class on a trip back through time to experience how humankind began and developed into where it is today. The exhibition took the class on an underground boat ride that returned us to when the earth was formed, from there we encountered the beginning of the world all the way to the path of humanity forming and thriving. The last part of the exhibit was dedicated to modern humanity and the unique characteristics that make us all human. Over the centuries humanity changed and adapted and with these changes new developments occurred in our ancestors, such as jaw and diet, and development and growth of brain. The exhibit follows humanities use of tools, acquisition of fire and language and culminates with our ancestors leaving Africa and populating the earth. Study of DNA shows that we all share common ancestors from Africa, no matter where we are today all of our roots if we go back far enough begin in Africa.
The Cradle of Humankind is a powerful place where one, no matter where they are from, is humbled by the idea that we all originated from this very spot. At this humbling place there are also many lessons to learn then just our mere common ancestry. Despite the vast growth of humanity over the centuries, the development of humans has become unequal. As the exhibit truthfully points out a person diagnosed with HIV/AIDS is Africa is more likely to die faster than a person residing in the USA, who has access to drugs that make the disease manageable. As one part of humanity flourishes and acquires vast wealth there are parts of humanity which live in poverty and deal with starvation every day. The fact that the cradle of humankind resides now in a country that is number one in the world for economic disparity, where millions of people live in “Shanteytowns” and poverty, furthermore puts into context the unequal yoke of humanity. Maropeng serves to remind us that although we may all look different and come from different places now, we all have the same beginning. It calls us to ask the question of what are our responsibilities to each other and to humanity as a whole is?
Maronpeg and our experience throughout the course has allowed us to realize, if never before, our privilege compared to other parts of humanity. The question that remains is how we can use our privilege to help equalize this uneven competition for resources in today’s every growing world. I believe the SASA Class of 2012 has already begun doing that in our time in South Africa. We immersed ourselves in the culture around us and educated ourselves on the plight of those less fortunate. At the same time we gave our time, energy, and resources to several community projects while we were there. Upon returning to the United States it is now our job to educate those at home and begin to unpack our on privilege and responsibilities to the plight of those in our local and school community.
-Lauren Wilmer
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