South Africa remains a beacon of hope It is strange that commentators and doomsayers often take a swipe at Government for taking the country to dogs, yet reality on the ground is that despite all the challenges we face South Africa remains a beacon of hope and still ranks amongst the best places to live in on earth. Ask Malusi Gigaba and his DG Mkhuseli Apleni how many citizens of the north apply for permanent resident permits every day in order to become part of this Society of the Future. The statistics will certainly shock naysayers and believers of Doomsday. Having served in the countrys diplomatic corps, I happen to be aware that diplomats of other countries always wish to be posted to South Africa. One lady commented that in most foreign ministries South African assignments always attract the maximum number of applications. Tshwane is the second largest diplomatic capital after Washington D.C.! And we are good hosts on top of that... How often do you hear of SA throwing out diplomats for misconduct? Persona non Grata. People behave in our country too. I am aware of recently retired diplomats who decided to remain in Azania, and not to go back to their countries. Others who have left after completing their assignments always talk highly about South Africa and her people. There is something that we are obviously doing right. Nonetheless, our former masters in the UK and a few countries never get tired of hurling insults at South Africa. Jealousy makes you nasty! True that the apartheid legacy remains remains an achilles tendon in otherwise what could have been a very good story to tell. We struggle with huge inequalities that impact on the countrys economic development and poverty does not seem to go down despite an impressive provision of goods and services by the state. Other problems exist too. But to categorize South Africa amongst the worst places in the world is stupid - in South Africa you can insult the head of state and not go to prison. The pseudo activists who always call other people names must always thank their country of birth for being kind, in other jurisdictions life is hard. A mass grave of student activists was recently discovered in Mexicos Guerrero state after their bus was ambushed by gun men. They were killed for voicing their opinions and for objecting to what they did not like. We need to realize that there have been mishaps in how we have dealt with certain issues but that doesnt make us a lousy state. Go to other countries you will see what is happening there and that will be the only time you wished all the world was like South Africa. I encourage South Africans to make an effort to travel and or developing a culture of learning foreign languages in order to learn about others. South Africans hardly move around, even with the SADC region. In my unwavering view, we remain Africas strongest in all respects, so we need to know more about others so that we maintain this status. I am fortunate to work quietly behind the scenes into making our country a better place for all. Amen!
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 05:34:32 +0000
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