Everyday I ask myself what am I? Am I any one of the above? What makes me one of them?
I survived Apartheid, Forced Removals, Buying a home in a “White” area, kids going to “White Schools” kids going to RAU – not Johannesburg University – and most of all – I survived so I could vote and become a citizen of my country – the country I was born in.
Don’t get me wrong – I do not compare myself to Holocaust victims, Congo wars, Burundi ethnic cleansing or Idi Amins “Kick the Asians” out nightmares. But Apartheid had its own horror stories and I survived.
Was I an Indian, South African, South African Indian? I did not know! I step off the plane at Heathway in the UK. This is how the conversation went ….. “Anything to declare madam?” “No”. “Country?” “South Africa” “Oh so you are a South African” “No an Indian” “But you said you are from South Africa” “This is a South African Passport” “Yes but I am an Indian South African” “Madam you are either and Indian from India or a South African from South Africa!” “Now what are you?”
See what I mean.
Back to my question, I do not judge any one, Gay rights, Gay freedom, Black, White, Orania, I see everyone as my equal – unless you are bad mannered or sarcastic. I will sit down to have tea with a black person I like, I may not do the same with an Indian I don’t like, I always help the poor, in fact, I do more than my fair share. I am a Philanthropist. So I am Liberal?
I stand up for the underdog, I help women and children, I hate fireworks, I love animals, I say hang the Rhino poachers, I say hang the Rapists of young children, women and Grannies! I am vocal and I march with Cosatu to stop the tolls. I think people should be paid a fair wage for a fair days work. So am I an Activist?
I hate the current Government – yes I said it – they are milking our coffers dry! Where are all the promises made to us the day Mr. Mandela was released? Why is there so much poverty? Why does every poor person get a grant? Why are schools and education worse off today than pre 1994? Why has BEE not served poor people but instead created millionaires of the rich? Why is money wasted on youth programmes that do not empower the youth (And I don’t mean Malema, they have been empowered by our money), Illegal immigrants and drug dealers abound, where is our Law and Order? I want our leaders to lead, create work so people can have a sense of value and pride. Be more vigilant on who gets tenders. Create more socio economic structures. Downsize Parliament and MP's. So am I a Whinger?
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