South Africa – Our beautiful land #❤SA

South Africa – Our beautiful land!

This past week has been an incredible reminder of the beauty and diversity of our beautiful country. Between the critic and the sceptic; the optimist and national brand Ambassador, anyone who cares to listen will have had a 3D, HD view of our undying spirit of life, love, resilience, and hope.

In a geographical space of 1,227,037 km/2, housing more than 11 ethnic groups and languages including foreign nationals; a division of 4 official racial groupings; a collective economic effort of approx $371.298 billion in nominal value; accounting for a population of over 57million people, we still have space for robust debate, a self-corrective culture and undying spirit of resilience!

We are measured by our inequality – at some point the highest gini-coeffencient, spreading across the social and economic divide. While this may be true, we are still the second strongest economy in Africa despite the social and fiscal challenges we face. We remain resolute and deliberate in our persuit for true equality, and with all the wounds and scars of an emerging market economy, there in the heartbeat of South Africa lies a resounding echo of hope, and flair for life from the richness of our land.

Just this past month alone, we fell and rose from the ashes of gender based violence, and splashes of xenophobic attacks. In the same breath, we celebrated international award nominees in arts and culture; and notably, the sterling performance of the Ndlovhu Youth Choir on America’s talent stage. Our Rand has put up a brave fight against strong currencies, earlier this month rising to the strongest it’s been against the US$. For some this may seem trivial, but it is the little victories that guide and fuel our volition.

In the field, we witnessed the sportsmanship of our Bokke, who showed up and were counted in history as they marched onto that rugby field, with the SA fight in them, showing Japan and the rest of the world that we still have a place in the globe! Despite losing the first game, we continue to celebrate our team because you see, for other nations demanding a win can be justified but for us, the mere opportunity of competing in the global arena is still a blessing no words can describe. Other people may wonder why, but this 25 year old rainbow nation has so much to be thankful for, no amount of defeat can quench the life oozing from within us in leaps and bounds.

Back home, in this past week alone we saw communities take back their power, coming together in efforts of restoring peace and fostering unity between South Africans and foreign nationals; we saw the rightful arrests (and sentencing) of perpetrators of violence against women and children. On thr 24th we celebrated National Heritage Month, what a display of beauty! In conversation, we have dispelled myths and discimination against albinism, and physical disability. In practice we have seen men in the land – our loving fathers, husbands, sons and brothers rise up against the abuse of women and children. We may not have it all but a country whose social dialogue includes the words: “I’m sorry; Please; and Thank you”, tells the tale of true strength and longevity.

Our President and government have represented us on global platforms, reiterating the undying spirit of a struggling but fighting nation. We are a fighting nation! We fight because we know the cost of complacency; we have tasted the sting of undue death; we have risen from the scourge of oppression; and we continue to set the pace for rapid development amongst 3rd world countries.

With about 4 access points on land; 3 international airports; 23 harbours divided across 4 provinces, we continue to harness trade and an influx of immigrants from across the globe. We are home. We are where the world wants to congregate.

In the words of Prince Harry, speaking outside the Nyanga Methodist church, in Cape Town, during their visit to South Africa, “…To me, the real testament of your strength isn’t physical, it’s what’s up here and what’s in here [he said, pointing to his head and his heart]. Your strength is in your spirit, which for me means honoring and protecting my wife, and being a positive role model for my son.”  This may not be the ultimate standard by which we measure our worth, but boy does it count for more than enough that indeed the world can come and experience the uniqueness of who and what we are – HOME!

As you can imagine there is so much more untold stories of hope, love and unspeakable joy and laughter in our land. We may not have all our ducks in a row but we continue to thank God for watching over us, for leading and guiding us down paths of righteousness, for clearing the path before us when those ahead are too strong for us. In all our internal squabbles, like any other blended family we are  learning to walk together, laugh and cry together.

Lest anyone be fooled, we have moved past the border posts of regression. We can see clearly now. We see the light and the way ahead of us, and daily, strive to walk that road with tenacity and determination for our land – South Africa, our pride and joy #❤SA!