Nkosi Sikilel' iAfrika - Because we need it!
Nkosi Sikilel' iAfrica - God Bless Africa
I feel sad about the situation in my country regardiging politics, black-empowerment and the electricity crisis among many other things as a result of nothing but absolute poor administration and management by governmental affairs.
Having read the papers for the last two weeks I realized just how many other people feel just like me, but at the same time it brought more sorrow to my mind, because it just proves how many go "unheard"…. and what would it help if I have my say if government fails to hold true to it's democratic policy. Complaints in papers are everywhere, people are going crazy and suggestions are being turned down, the accused accuse apardheid.
My heart yet tells me however that things can be so much different. It's good that I feel that way in my heart I guess, but all things can't be changed by heart's desire. Could it?
I've come to the point where being positive has just become a way to mask reality and my worries as well as emotional relation to my country and people are seriously on the increase. Being emotional doesn't quite help either in a world like this. Does it?
Within me I have mixed anticipations of prosperity as well as peril… oh the peril…
I can see South Africa being so very successful. There are many things that makes this Republic so special, so unique and powerful. Yes we could be great theoretically. Couldn't we?
Just the sheer size, open landscapes, different climates, cultures and people makes it such an attraction. The real selling point is in our rich supplies of minerals such as gold, diamond, coal and platinum etc. I cry out "What has come of this beautiful land oh Lord?"
Surely we've got similar if not more potential to that of leading countries such as Germany, England, the USA and others. What we do lack however is a good, fair government. One that practices true democracy and actually listens to its people.
The current affairs in South Africa all seem to be blamed on apardheid. Ah… that word that has come to stick to my head in response to the repetition of it heard when the ANC blames something of current matter on apardheid. The truth is, apardheid was almost two decades ago and we're already fourteen years into the so-called "New South Africa" or simpler said, post-apardheid era.
Foreign investors are leaving the country and big mining companies are looking for riches where the grass is greener, the rest of Africa. It is of no surprise then that we're in an economical struggle since government and Eskom didn't foresee for the future or at least not efficient enough for that matter.
Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) has resulted in skilled professionals being neglected over race/skin colour. This even in our Cricket and Rugby lately but this has another fancy name attached to it called "Transformation". A country's athletes should be chosen upon merit and not colour. It is in all of our best interest that the best individual for the job is representing our country after all.
It's not that I'm discriminating against any race. I feel deep down that there's more to this country AND all its people than to that of which we're currently seeing.
With mines now shutting down and with the combined impact of the negative publicity to foreign investors South Africa will soon need to refrain exports due to limited knowledge and skill required by the individuals who attained their new highly-appointed position by skin-colour and not skill/qualifications. This leads to less minerals being produced (Eskom fails -> Mines fail -> Exports drop -> Financial income is less -> Imports are reduced). At the same time we're seeing our inflation rate rising…
Isn't Zimbabwe enough alarm already? Unfortunately the ANC is of the same calibre as the ZANU-PF and Thabo Mbeki and Robert Mugabe seem like really close friends with tied interests.
We could still make at least a 3,3% financial growth despite the electricity crisis only IF government do things right.
It is hard to explain the agony that arises within me when I hear the ANC is planning to rename some monument/location from a well-known and sensible name, often with historical values, to something absurd.
Let's take Jan Smuts International airport for example: It was changed to Johannesburg International Airport which makes perfect sense. It's a more universal name and simple to associate. Now, while thousands go without housing, electricity, water and food our beloved government shows their care by spending millions and millions on name changes made.
Today Johannesburg International Airport is called OR Tambo, I live in South Africa and I don't even know him… Any foreigner would prefer the former over the latter. There are so many other examples to mention but pardon me for not remembering the archaic names which I can't even pronounce.
What we are experiencing in South Africa is no different than what we know as “Apardheid”. The secret is that the situation is steered by government spreading propaganda and having roots with the media. It is because of this that foreigners seem dazzled when they're told the New South Africa is indeed a failure.
To make things worse people would immediately put you in a racist-labelled cabinet and lock the door never to let you speak your heart.
As a statement and call of despair, people, the Republic of South Africa needs help!