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Just the other day, while scrolling down one of the numerous social media platforms, I noted how various South Africans shared memories from 11 years ago. A time that has almost become cheesy to discuss, sad in some ways, as it was a moment in this angry country’s life where peace was found, even though for a brief moment.
The Soccer World Cup in 2010 envokes a sense of nostalgia in the current time of disorder; it draws back feelings of lighter air and far fewer social media politicians.
We were all distracted with the present and therefore forgot the past and, jointly, the future. We just lived now. Kindness reigned supreme with the rainbow nation, as envisioned by Madiba, breathing life. But then, it happened.
The shadows replaced the sunlight; the joyful cheers dulled out by frustrated cries. Corruption, rape and murder growing to the point of disbelief. Misrepresentation of one another becoming a social norm, with inequality ringing loud between the haves and have nots. Now in 2021, we are so deep down the rabbit hole, we have moved past just cultures vs cultures or religions vs religions.
We are now in Wonderland, where logic and functionality are forgotten, time stands still, and nothing makes sense. South Africa’s hatred and misinformation have pushed once sane people, looking for a future, over the edge and out of the country.
As the pressure increased, cultural and religious clashes evolved into, inter-battles; with groups now dividing even more, segregating themselves from even their very own. The question to ask is, how does this all play out even for those currently winning?
It would be juvenile to say that all is well and the path for our beautiful country is golden. If you are one of the privileged people enjoying the fruits of South Africa, then bravo to you. However, your success is not a given for most people, and that fact should motivate you to uplift and not isolate—irrespective of political ideologies. As Jack Lemmon once said: “No matter how successful you get, always send the elevator back down.”
Division and segregation would not be the answers to fixing South Africa’s problems if you hadn’t noticed. Ironically, we were broken because of segregation. Therefore, anyone trying to divide people through culture or religion has lost sight of the New South Africa’s goals of one nation, with freedom for all.
Stop being a backseat South African, barking out rubbish as you go past people’s lives.
It is about high time that you and everyone in your world realise that this is not Fiji or Tanzania. We are a collection of the world’s best, I mean, for goodness sake, we have 11 official languages, but you think yours is right, come on, man. South Africans are intended to awake with a standard thought, “I live in a collective country filled with a variety of people, I do not live on an island with only my culture.”
And if I could just get you to understand that South Africa, when you detach yourself from the blinding politics and your overstimulated opinion, our country is for everyone, by everyone. And the only way this sh*t show takes shape is when you realise this and stop being a victim or reliant on the Government to think for you.
What are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
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