A Country For All People!


Growing up in the slums of a broken community, rife with violence and various forms of other crimes, I often sought refuge in the idea of a bright future awaiting me somewhere beyond the borders of a community that has fallen into ruin. However, whenever I nonchalantly and stolidly gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I’d always ask myself, “Do I, as a coloured person, have a future in South Africa?” … A future that’ll allow me to pave the way for many who believe that envisioning their dreams is nothing more than just a fantasy that’ll not come to pass.

My parents and grandparents grew up under the Apartheid regime, and were viciously subjected to preposterous laws that patently had no marginal effect on them as they are still recovering from the injustice and ordeal they had to endure. Yet, when Apartheid ended they were still competent enough to bring me up in a household that was opulent with values and principles that I was able to inculcate in my life, non–reluctantly. They have always taught me to be the best version of myself, and not to lose myself in the process of trying to be a second–rate version of somebody else. And as a result of that, I’ve always been brave and bold enough to keep up with life’s vicissitudes, regardless of how untoward it seemed.

Human Rights Day and Freedom Day has given many South–Africans the opportunity to commemorate the past and fallen heroes who courageously fought for the liberation of the then marginalised groups who were enslaved by the oppressors. It has open doors  for discussions and dialogues, that includes people of all races and ethnicities, on how to move forward and on how to reconcile the past with the present in order to have a promising future – that caters for all citizens of South–Africa.

As a South–African citizen, who has been fortunate enough to grow up in an era of endless opportunities available to all people, I’ve pledged to myself to use those opportunities to my advantage, and to better the lives of those who have been rejected by society – even in Post-Apartheid South–Africa. Therefore, the two rights I identify most with in the Bill of Rights are human dignity and freedom of religion, believe and opinion.

As much as I believe that I have the right to human dignity, and to be treated equally, fairly and with respect, I believe that such behaviour can only be reciprocated if I have interactions with others that are build on human dignity. Regardless of who you are and where you’re from, I believe that every individual should feel loved, respected and protected. We shouldn’t allow our emotions to overshadow our rational thought by dehumanizing others; especially if we expect others to not put us in situations where we feel stripped of our dignity, and violated. Instead, we should live by the golden rule, “Do to others what you want them to do to you!”.

Being a follower of Christ, I’ve always been accepting not only of other people’s religious views, but also of their opinions and beliefs. Given that we’re living in a democratic country, people have the right to believe in what works for them. And even if I don’t agree with it, then the least I can do is to respect it. As a Christian, I’ve no right to convert non-Christians, if I expect them to respect my religious beliefs. It has to be a two–way street. Respect is mutual. Respect is earned.

With rights come responsibility, and my responsibility is to make sure that my rights are protected and that I exercise them in a non–patronizing way, while respecting other people’s rights.

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