Local Voices: It’s Not Bad, But It Could Have Been So Much Better with Eldon Phukuile

Born on the outskirts of 1980s Johannesburg, Eldon Phukuile grew up in a “coloured” family that was relatively privileged by the standards of Apartheid

South Africa, with enough to eat and a comfortable home. In the 1990s, as democracy emerged under Nelson Mandela’s vision of a “rainbow nation,”

there was hope for peace, prosperity, and unity. The Truth and Reconciliation process began, and South Africa seemed poised to deliver on its promise of national growth and harmony. However, Eldon’s journey eventually led him to leave, arriving on Vancouver’s North Shore in 2022 with his late grandmother’s haunting words in mind: “It was better under Apartheid.” While he doesn’t share that view, he understands the sentiment. Through Eldon’s story—and South Africa’s—we reflect on how the last 40 years, despite progress, fell short of their potential. This journey also invites us to explore parallels with Canada and West Vancouver.