AFRIQUE DU SUD : Ces solutions qui changent la vie des habitants - Documentaire Complet - AMP

South Africa has a rich and complex history, marked by the arrival of Europeans in 1652, which initiated colonization and centuries of racial segregation. In 1948, apartheid was formalized, a regime that was eventually abolished in 1991. Three years later, Nelson Mandela became the first Black president of the Republic of South Africa. Before Mandela’s rise to power, Johannesburg's population was predominantly white, with Black residents restricted from moving around after certain hours and forced to return to dormitory townships like Soweto, located half an hour from the city center. Today, Soweto is experiencing a wave of creative freedom, exemplified by a group of young fashion designers known as the "Smarties." This name, unrelated to the candy brand, describes their unique, colorful, and unconventional style, which aims to assert a distinct identity. Initially met with criticism and insults, the Smarties have succeeded in changing perceptions. They create their own clothes, often from scratch, and have all studied fashion design. Kepi, one of the Smarties, has a mother who is proud of their work, initially viewing it as children playing but now recognizing their growing success and income. She recounts an incident where someone criticized Sibou's appearance, to which she proudly declared him a stylist who could relook others. The Smarties emphasize that their clothing is for everyone, regardless of race, and that people should wear it because they genuinely like it, not to appear cool or conform. They also repurpose unsold items from stores, transforming them into new pieces like a t-shirt given a more feminine touch with fringes or a jacket turned into a backpack, demonstrating their creativity and resourcefulness. The Smarties also express strong opinions on their government, describing it as a "joke" that only works for elections. They are part of the first generation of Black students to attend schools alongside white students, but they highlight the persistent disparities, noting that schools in Soweto lack basic amenities like swimming pools and proper chairs, unlike white schools. Despite these challenges, the Smarties maintain a positive outlook and confidence in the future, believing they are changing mindsets, especially among the youth in Soweto. Many people seek their advice and assistance, seeing their success on television as proof that anyone can achieve something, regardless of their background. Their journey from humble beginnings in Soweto to selling their creations in Johannesburg's most chic shopping mall, even the most prestigious in Africa, is remarkable. The manager of a high-end store praises their talent and the appeal of their repurposed items, such as the jacket-turned-backpack, indicating a promising future for them in fashion design. The country still grapples with immense inequalities between Black and white populations, despite affirmative action policies aimed at favoring Black employment. These policies are not always well-received by white communities, leading to underlying tensions. Johannesburg’s traffic is notoriously bad, reflecting the city’s vastness and lack of public transportation, which contributes to daily frustrations. South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries globally, and while Black employment is encouraged, white individuals often feel disadvantaged. To address these divisions, Thesa H. Smith, a former anti-apartheid activist, organizes reconciliation seminars. She believes that Black and white people need to communicate to understand each other. She notes cultural differences, such as varying concepts of personal space and communication styles, which can lead to misunderstandings. The Bantou education system, implemented in 1948, was designed to train Black Africans for menial labor, resulting in a severe lack of educational opportunities. Even in 1999, only a minuscule percentage of Black students completed school with sufficient math and science skills for university. Thesa believes that white people need to apologize for apartheid, acknowledging that even those not directly involved benefited from the system, which caused profound psychological damage across all communities. Racial issues persist, as evidenced by recent incidents like white students forcing Black staff to eat dog food. Reconciliation requires understanding each other's experiences. Nico, a white participant, acknowledges the difficulty of bringing a Black partner home to his parents, indicating the deep-seated complexities. Thesa believes that forgiveness is a crucial step that white people need to offer. DK Wilcox, a company CEO, hired Thesa to facilitate communication and understanding within his diverse workforce, which includes 79% Black, 10% white, 9% mixed-race, and 2% Indian employees, speaking 11 official languages. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging different origins and complying with laws promoting diversity, noting that a diverse workforce reflects their diverse clientele. Thesa's personal story is one of courage. As a white woman with a Black partner and mixed-race children during apartheid, she faced immense hatred and incomprehension. She became an activist after witnessing the appalling living conditions and suffering of her Black friends and her partner's family. She displays relics of apartheid, like signs prohibiting mixed-race use of public spaces, hospitals, and transportation. She notes that while such segregation is officially banned, it still exists in some small towns. Her mixed-race son, Sizwe, now 20, symbolizes her enduring commitment to a more equitable future. Thesa was often labeled a "traitor" for her activism, a painful experience that brought her to tears when discussing the challenges her son faced being unaccepted by others. Further south, Cape Town, with its 5 million inhabitants and 60% mixed-race population, is a testament to early European colonization where a significant mixed-race population emerged from unions between colonists and indigenous women, as well as slaves from Africa and Malaysia. The city is also home to endangered Cape penguins, whose numbers are declining due to human activity. At Vergelegen, a private wine estate owned by a mining group, a significant environmental restoration project is underway. For five years, 40 previously unemployed workers have been cutting down invasive foreign trees like eucalyptus and pines, planted at the beginning of the century. These trees consumed excessive water and destroyed the unique Fynbos ecosystem, the smallest yet richest floral kingdom in the world, boasting over 9,000 species. Gerald White, a biologist leading the project, explains that while cutting trees can be painful, it's necessary for the survival of the indigenous Fynbos, which is crucial for the region's water supply, especially during droughts. Since 2004, 30 to 40 million invasive trees have been removed, with another six years of work remaining. Returning to Johannesburg, an innovative invention called the "water pump carousel" addresses the lack of running water in many schools. Trevor, the inventor, explains that as children play on the carousel, the energy generated pumps water from underground into a reservoir. This system, supported by an NGO, is installed in 1,600 locations across Southern Africa. To fund its maintenance, advertisements are placed on the reservoirs, generating income from companies. Trevor notes that this invention also subtly challenges gender roles, as boys, traditionally not involved in water collection, actively participate through play. South Africa faces alarming crime rates, with approximately 50 murders per day among a population of 49 million, far exceeding France's rates. Sexual violence is also a serious issue, with one in four men having committed rape. To enhance safety, "Caps for Woman," a taxi company with exclusively female drivers, has emerged. The company, less than two years old, has successfully employed 12 women from townships. Drivers like Touie emphasize that they only respond to calls from a central dispatch for security reasons, as picking up passengers on the street is too dangerous. Their taxis are equipped with panic buttons that alert police or private security in emergencies. The omnipresence of "boomgates" and "security villages" illustrates the widespread sense of insecurity, leading to homes being surrounded by high walls, barbed wire, electric fences, alarms, and private security guards (300,000 nationwide, outnumbering police). This overprotection often leads criminals to target residents upon their return home, sometimes resulting in violent attacks. Criminality often originates from squatter camps, informal settlements far worse than townships, where millions live in dire conditions without water, electricity, or sanitation. Here, Alfred Baloyi, the inventor of "Makarapa" helmets, resides. These uniquely decorated hard hats protect football supporters and have become a cultural phenomenon. Alfred, who lives in a self-built home in a squatter camp without paying rent, explains that he needs "permission from the mafia" to build there, highlighting the illegal and dangerous nature of these areas. Alfred started making Makarapas after seeing a spectator injured by a thrown bottle at a stadium. He decorated a yellow hard hat he received from his bus maintenance job, and its popularity led him to sell them. He once had 30 employees but was exploited by white business partners who learned his craft and then ousted him, underscoring the power of money in South Africa. Despite these challenges, Alfred's Makarapas are sold across South African stadiums and even internationally, earning him the nickname "the magistrate" for his creative authority over the helmets.