Tensions are high in SA. Recent events have seen a surge in extremist moves on both side of the playing field, on one hand you have Red October, and the other you have Julius’s EFF party and his now (in)famous ‘speech’. Both literally speak of blood, reform and taking back what is rightfully ‘theirs’. My timeline has exploded with comments directed at both of them, most too unsanitary to share here. But in all of this there is a fundamental issue, the fact remains that in South Africa there have always been marginalized people, the poor, both in spirit and in earthly wealth. Those that lack basic education, food, housing and sanitization. The cry I’m hearing from mostly affluent, middle class, and largely white South Africans is, ‘It’s not my fault! I had nothing to do with apartheid!’, while that may be the case, you ARE part of the solution. I’m also hearing a lot of “I pay my taxes, but we have a corrupt government, it’s their responsibility to look after its people”. Well, that’s rather idealistic, as even in high functioning ‘1st world countries’ governments doesn’t always ‘serve the people’. For those not up to speed on foreign politics the USA Government has effectively ‘shut down’, leaving a trail of unemployed and suspended workers, many State services have been closed down and those in areas of federal law enforcement are working, currently without pay, to keep the country running. Yes, even 1st world countries suffer. The USA also has over 48 million people living on less that $4.50 a day, almost the population of South Africa. They are not exempt from problems, though they may look different to our own. The fact is that we, as middle class, South Africans have been privileged. Like it or not, it’s the truth. By global standards, as set my the World Bank, if you have a home, a bed, food in your stomach and own a refrigerator, congratulations, you are in the top 1% of the GLOBAL economic wealth. Yes, GLOBAL. I believe it is our duty to make a difference, my personal reasons aren’t complex, they are governed by my Faith in Christ, who gave this simple commandment “Love one another, as I’ve loved you.” - John 13:34-35. Even if you don’t share my faith, you might agree that whatever we earn, our material possessions cannot be taken into the next life, for the most part most one would state that as truth, right? (I’m aware that some religions have different views on this). So what then is our purpose here on earth? To accrue as much wealth as we can, to live healthier, happier lives, to buy into the notion of some marketeers ‘dream’. A bigger house, faster car, annual overseas vacations? Is that what you, or I are living for? To make life here, particularly in South Africa, a little more ‘bearable’? I believe we owe it to our brothers and sisters to be part of change and reconciliation, to not rely on the government to be the solution, but each other, our humanity, empathy and social responsibility. How are you being part of that change? How are you moving towards bringing about reform and change in South Africa and bridging the gap between the “Have and Have Nots”? Are you paying your housekeeper, cleaner or child minder minimum wage? As set by the government, the same government that is ‘not doing their job!’. That government that says R1,700 a month is a livable wage. Or are you looking into your own heart and saying, “I’m going to give more, and I’m going to forgo a few luxuries to do so.”, thus providing them with a better salary. Aside from providing a sense of loyalty, those funds allows them to afford a better quality of life, for themselves and their families. They might mean the difference between being able to send their kids to school or not, not relying on the state, but taking ownership of the situation, to change their lives and their children’s children lives through basic education. Or is is saying “I’m going to pay for my gardener to take his learners and drivers examinations and to not eat out for a month.”. Maybe that’s the difference between him being a single gardener weeding your lawn till he retires, or helping him start his own garden maintenance service, providing further employment for others and a brighter future? If we EACH reach out to someone in need it makes a difference, it might not change OUR world, but it will change THEIRS, it’s not going to make news headlines, the good almost never does, but it’s not what we’ve striving for. Stop pointing fingers, and removing yourself from the problem, because, like it or not, you are very much part of the solution.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 07:30:28 +0000
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