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12 rmo .......1,Wened ...rur 1 19 Its been Mercer tradition in Orono Three Mercer brothers, Ross, Bruce and Jack, have provided over a total of 80 years of service to the community with the Orono Fire Departmnent. Both Ross and Bruce acted for periods of time as Chiefs of the local departnient. Their father Harry Mercer was also a member of the Orono Fire Department dating back into the early 1930s, What is the new South Africa like? John and Maggie Bizzell South Africa: A Journey to a Dark Past. A Vision of a Bright Future by Helen MacDonald It's a familiar inscription on the landscape. A long, winding driveway that ascends from gravel to snow to sky, lcading to a home snug in the wintry countryside. But the road that John and Maggie Bizzell have travelied isn't simnply the rural one lcading to their home. Rather, the Bizzells have recently travelled to their native South Africa, post- Apartheid, to celebrate their first Christmas with their families since they fled to Canada in 1965. John and Maggie each returned independently to South Africa once inte past 30 years. But, the Christmas celebration of 1994 was like a journey into a dream, a roller-coaster of emotions as they re-visited people and places they left behind. They also met, for dhe first time, some family members born during these isolated decades. They, returned to a place changed by time, and by history. John and Maggie met with old friends from the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) who now enjoy freedom from persecution. and shared power in the emerging South Africa. They happily display photos of smiling former members of the ANC who now hold positions in thc ncw South A frican govemment. One m.ýirvrs at the shift from 'outlaw' to Deputy Minister. What is the 'new' South Africa like?' It is an exciting place to bc", says Maggie, "but there 15 50 much to be done, that it overwhelms. A priority is the accessibility of education to ail children. There are so many, however, and flot enough facilities. For now, it is compulsory that ail first level children must bc provided with integrated education." It will be an entire generation before real opportunities are available to ail of South Africa's children, Black and White. Some school administrators continue to harbour discriminating views and practices. The gaps in education and tradelprofessiona1 skill which currently exist between Black adult South Africans and White adult South Africans complicate efforts to assure that ail South Africans enjoy equal opportunities. Equity in health care presents insurmountable challenges. rnany adult South Africans, Black and poor, lack basic persona] health care education, including sex education. AIDS is an issue of concern throughout the central African continent. ]But as the nation is reborn, what of the burden of guilt of Apartheid? What of crimes committcd against the nation, against humanity? "You can't put evcrbody on trial," observes John. "It would paralyze the country. Yet, you can't sweep everything under the carpet. Several million people are looking for answers, for family members. There are- huge mysteries in mass graves." What South Africa's people are demanding is transparency in government. Public accessibility. Public accountability. Those who wish to provide a public accounting of their activities, including crime, may 'absolve' themselves by 'telling all', voluntarily, to thc newly-created Truth Commission. Details of events, people involved, etc. must bc provided, thus clearing the air, and starting afresh. There remains some smail opposition to change. Those who would turn Uiec dock back. "But, they are finding less and less support as the rest of South Africa dîscovers that change is flot as difficult as they thought it might bc," adds John optimistically. If one were to summarize John and Maggie's feelings for the emerging South Africa, it would be to note the great wave of optimism gushing from their hearts. "There is a high level of energy and excitement, particularly among young people, in building a new country. This is not, hoWever, to understate the problems which will require (Continued page 13) THE CATERING CONNECTION SOCIAL CATERERS Our Specîality Family Style Roast Beef Dinner Weddings Anniversaries - Business Functions Hockey Basebal - Bowling Banquets HOT - COU) - BUFFETS FRED, PATRICIA, RODNEY STORSBERGEN Box 416, Orono, Ont. 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