Students received a personal perspective of South Africa history when Lord Peter Hain, member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom and anti-apartheid activist, visited Christel House South Africa (CHSA). Hain spoke about his and his family’s role in the anti-apartheid struggle during the 1960s and 70s.
Hain shared how his parents were in and out of jail because of anti-apartheid activities and their support of Nelson Mandela. As a result of security police harassment, Hain's family was forced to leave South Africa for the United Kingdom in 1966. But Hain remained committed to the anti-apartheid cause. At 19, he became the leader of the Stop the Seventy Tour campaign which disrupted South African rugby union and cricket teams in 1969 and 1970. “The anti-apartheid struggle was a hard struggle. Many people were killed, tortured,” he says. “The struggle was definitely worth it.” Hain stressed the importance of quality education. “Working hard at school is your passport to a better life. If you can get good skills, such as offered to you by Christel House, you can do well,” he says. “You are the future leaders of South Africa. It is up to you to be the change in this country.”