78International AT THE In 2023, the Harding in Zambia (HIZ) program took an eightday trip to Cape Town, South Africa in the middle of their semester. The group explored the city to see both beautiful views and sites with deep history. David Gardner, coordinator of Harding in Zambia with International Programs, reflected on the purpose and intention of adding this new location to the program’s itinerary. “We were looking to add an academic component to Harding in Zambia that would explore the culture and history of South Africa,” Gardner said. “This was largely influenced by hundreds of HIZ students reading Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ since the program began in 2007.” Harding’s International Programs directors worked closely with Alan and Rachel Howell to plan this trip, since the Howells had previously traveled to Cape Town as a “getaway” during their long-term mission work in Mozambique. Alan Howell reflected on the reason Cape Town was chosen as the place to achieve the goals of International Programs. “I think while missions in Churches of Christ have often focused on rural areas in Africa, really, the big cities in Africa – those are the places of mission in the future. And so, while it’s great to go to places like the Namwianga mission, it’s also really important for HIZ students, we believe, to see a big African city and to imagine what ministry and missions can look like there.” Since the goal of the trip was to inform students about the history and culture of Cape Town and South Africa, the group visited sites like Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, the Tree of Life ministry that engages with people in impoverished neighborhoods and the District Six Museum, which described the great loss many South African families experienced as a result of apartheid. Sophomore Hailey Brown said she learned more about the history and current state of South Africa while she was in Cape Town. “I learned a lot about how much the effects of apartheid still have on South Africa,” Brown said. “Nelson Mandela initiated the end of apartheid, but the end wouldn’t come in the ‘90s, so there is still a lot of recovering and rebuilding that the people have and will have to do.” While the main goal was to provide an educational experience for the HIZ students, the group also had the chance to visit scenic areas like the top of Table Mountain, The Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. “The Kirstenbosch Gardens are unforgettable,” Gardner said. “It’s the closest image I can conceive of when thinking about what the Garden of Eden would have looked like.” International Programs planned to take future HIZ students to Cape Town as well, with the only modification of spending more time there. “We will look to create more exposure to Christian ministries and other non-profits so that students can learn from experienced professionals,” Gardner said. Written by Alyssa Toye Harding University in Zambia students and faculty explore Cape Town for a special getaway. Cape of Good Hope | The summer 2023 HIZ group visits the most south-western point of the continent of Africa. This was a stop during an exploration through Cape Point Nature Preserve and Camps Bay. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Toye
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