When we arrived in Africa, we learned some interesting things about racial issues between black and white Africans. When we attend wards with mixed black and white members, we notice that, mostly, the blacks will sit on one side of the classroom or chapel, and the whites will sit on the other. This doesn't apply to the Pimville Ward that we usually attend, for obvious reasons, because it is an all black ward (except for us and 2 or 3 young white American missionaries that attend). Even though Apartheid ended in 1994, there is still a stigma of racial 'segration', in South Africa, although nothing like it was
prior to 1994.
While we were traveling in Zimbabwe, we were in the car with two black Africans, Kasnos Paradzai, a stake president, and Given Masetle, MSR supervisor in the Area Office.During our long trips, we had pportunities for interesting discussions about our different cultures and racial issues,etc.They feel that Black Africans are inferior to white Africans, generally speaking. We disagreed with them, but, nevertheless, this is how they feel.They told us about how it was during apartheid, for members of the churches or people that wanted to attend church meetings.The Black Africans were not allowed to enter
white churches, or sometimes any churches, but would, instead, sit outside near an open window and listen to what was being said. This included LDS churches, too. It was, not LDS church policy,of course, but rather Apartheid segregation policy. Eventually, they were allowed to enter the churches, but had to sit in the back of the chapel or classroom. Because of what happened in the past, many black Africans,
I think, still feel inferior to white Africans, regardless of how it really is.I asked them what they thought it was like when black people first were allowed to attend black and white churches (including LDS churches).They told us that there was much rejoicing by church members but it was somewhat bitter-sweet because of the Apartheid racial restrictions in regard to attending church meetings.I think that since Apartheid ended, and with new generations of black Africans, including more and more black leaders coming into the Church, racial predjudice is diminishing.We feel no predjudice whatsoever in the Pimville ward that we are assigned to.They are some of the finest people that we have ever met. In fact we have found that the black Africans, generally speaking, are friendlier to us than the Whites, in my opinion.
Then there is the issue of long distances to travel to temples.There are now three temples in Africa, but most Africans must travel great distances to attend a temple. Most African church members don't even own a car, let alone have the means to travel long distances to a temple. A district president in Uganda said in a talk that it took him 6 years to prepare and save enough money to travel to the Johannesburg temple to be married there. Many members only make it to a temple once in their lifetime, because of their financial means and the long distances to a temple. It made us realize even to a greater extent, how fortunate we are to have a temple nearby. We can actually walk to the Johannesburg temple from the area office, where we work.
Another interesting observation that we have made is that just about all of the black members of the Church here,are first generation members. Most of the branch, ward and stake leaders are young returned missionaries who have gained much of their leadership experience on their missions. They are the pioneers here in Africa and they are doing a great work here as they gain more experience. During
our training to church leaders, we have been greatly impressed by their leadership and committment to their callings.The church is thriving in most African countries.
These are few of our observations of the LDS church and the members in the African countries that we have visited.
