Why I love Africa
For the last year I have been seriously considering immigrating to Canada, this desire has been brought on by a sense of boredom but mainly of tiredness. I’m tired of having to fight every day to get a service running, I’m tired of inefficient and corrupt government agencies, I’m tired of seeing the enormous waste of capital that is spent on personal gain, I’m tired of the crime, I’m tired of the attitudes, I’m tired of having to give out money at every single robot and every single parking lot… I’m fed up
But the more I think of living in a first world country, the more I think of the glorious day when I phone to query an electricity bill and someone answers the phone, or I walk down the street without feeling a constant threat to my safety… the more I think about the increased quality of life… the sadder I become.
The thought that keeps harrasing me is… what’s the point?
Where will the challenge be? What will motivate me? What will drive me to contribute to our world? Will living in a semi-nirvana remove from me that ingredient that makes me me? Yes I have considered the possibility that I have just become accustomed (ok maybe brain washed) to this way of life and so like a drug have come to rely on its effects. There is truth in that, but there is more to South Africa than the crime riddled, apathetic outlook that dismays so many of us.
We are highly resourceful, highly optimistic, highly creative… and highly open. Almost every foreigner to visit our land during the world cup commented on this, having travelled the world fairly extensively myself I know this to be true – South Africans are the friendliest and most welcoming nation I have come across. Because we have to live with such difficulties every day, we have found a way to balance the hardship with a deep and genuine love…
We love our land, we love our sport, we love our animals, we love our entrepreneurship, yes we love to complain but only as a means to find a new solution.
But it is the intangibles that is so hard to explain. Africa really does become a part of your soul, the music in our weather, the pride in our wildlife, the connection to the land itself. It’s hard to describe and is probably only felt by those who have lost it.
When I think of myself in Canada safe, comfortable and rested it scares me more than attracts me. The idea that I could eventually find fashion a stimulating conversation makes me want to run to Hilbrow and make friends with a crack dealer. I suppose that is what Africa gives you – realness. You have to be real when faced with the poverty and cruelty that is a daily occurrence.
At the moment I am swelling with pride, South Africa pulled off an awesome world cup and I know we touched the minds and hearts of everyone who visited (ok maybe not the French). Most of our visitors will return to a country where things most likely work, where life is fairly predictable and where they feel most at home. We will continue to push our boundaries, to develop our mixed culture, our self belief and our nation.
Africa is my home, she may wear a harsh face but her beauty is all around us and within us…
