A couple of days ago whilst I was checking my favourite blogs I came upon a comment which led me to a very disturbing blog. This blog which is written by a South African portrays South Africa as a vile and sick country, and tells it's South African readers that they should leave the country because it is going to the dogs. The disturbing thing is that this one sided negative view is shared by hundreds of South Africans that have commented on this blog.
I will be the first to say that South Africa is not by any stretch of the imagination a utopian society where people live in harmony and peace with each other. Everyday in the news you hear of murder, rape, robbery, corruption, abuse and other injustices and im afraid that we as a people have become completely desensitized to this madness. The rate and frequency of these events are increasing with each passing day and there seems to be no end in sight. Such is our plight that our homes have become private prisons, where we barricade ourselves from the outside world.
This is a grave and dire situation and we need to take stock of it but we shouldn't only focus on these negatives such as crime because crime is a global problem and not specific to South Africa. Rather we should take time to look at what makes this country the true democratic rainbow nation. We are a free people, freer than our grandparents ever dreamed. Black and White for generations were institutionalized to loathe each and this built a solid wall of prejudice and pre conceived ideas, but today these walls are crumbling and Black and White are working together to build a better nation which is free from the injustices of the past. South Africa stands out as a model for the world showing what can happen when people forget their differences and come together for a common goal.
The South African people are a sturdy bunch which has been plagued by all sorts of crimes and injustices for years whether it was during the apartheid era or now in the post apartheid South Africa. We came through the struggle against racism and oppression and we shall come through this current crime crisis. All we need is some initiative to face the problem head on instead of leaving this country or sitting around and merely complaining about it. We are her children and we owe it to her and to the Thousands that died to secure our future
When I hear our nation anthem my heart fills with passion and I feel a sense of belonging, a sense that I am apart of a truly wonderful nation. I am truly proud to be a South African.
Kuwabara, Kuwabara
The Lone Writer
