The Miracle Rising® as source for teaching History: Theoretical and practical considerations.
Abstract
Twenty years ago, all South Africans – for the first time – had the privilege to
vote on an equal basis for the political party to govern the country in the years to
come. It was an extraordinary and a momentous phase in the country’s history
– a historical milestone indeed. Mr Mandela referred to this occasion as a small
miracle. This was undeniably so if one considers that colonial, apartheid, racial
and cultural legacies have immensely contributed to divisions, distrust, violence
and killings among people of all races and colour. To digestibly capture relics of these
memories of reality in a single historical documentary accessible to the ordinary
man through the Internet and other media, the producing of Miracle Rising® was
and is welcomed in the public domain. To what extent educators of History in
South Africa have responded to this documentary since 2012, and have considered
using it in History classes, is not known. However, this paper intends to focus on
its theoretical and practical value for teaching History that should be embraced in
every History class. Teaching Miracle Rising® provides for opportunities to address
a very difficult yet jubilant phase in the history of a country so long aspiring for
equality and peace. The process leading to South Africa becoming democratic can
be regarded as a sensitive topic to teach because of the racist, politically violent
and culturally intolerant undertones that occurred decades before the April 1994
election. A maturity with regard to teaching, comprehensive knowledge, as well as
an efficient application of teaching skills and assessment techniques will be pivotal
in overcoming the moments of sensitivity, especially those captured in Miracle
Rising®.