The culture of many youths is not one of violence but of ubuntu
ALLOW me to quote one of our sporting greats Benni McCarthy who recently said: “We South Africans are very judgemental. We don’t have patience and that’s why we can’t seem to succeed when it comes to youth because we are too quick to point fingers”
He quoted the above in a sporting context but I want to use it in a general context.
I support what he said and want to prove to our readers that the culture of many of our youth is not that of violence, as some may have been led to believe. Benni is an excellent example of a young man that triumphed over all odds. He became a household name worldwide.
Our country’s major problem is joblessness and heartbreaking poverty. Our selfishness makes it easier for us to ignore rather than to acknowledge and assist.
Sir Anthony Hopkins once said:
“We’re caught up in circumstances, and we’re all good and evil. When you’re really hungry, for instance you’ll do anything to survive. I think the most evil thing – well, maybe that’s too strong – but certainly a very evil thing, is judgement, the sin of ignorance.”
The majority of our senior citizens – those living in shacks under squalid conditions – still maintain this inborn and unbelievable sense of ubuntu (a quality that includes the essential human virtues, compassion and humanity).
We have to believe that ubuntu has been inculcated into our youth.
Have you noticed how many times our senior citizens dish out their own sort of justice in the townships. I don’t necessarily agree with their methods but that’s an example of how serious they are about curbing crime in their own areas.
In further support of my example of ubuntu, where in the world will you find a packed stadium with two rival sets of young fans who are passionate about their particular teams; sitting side by side, with no physical partitions, cheering their teams. At the end of the match when they win or lose, they heartily congratulate one another.
A good example being the recent midweek 2-1 Chiefs win over Sundowns.
This is the positive impression I am trying to paint of our South African youth.
Notice how all over the “developed world”, mean-faced rival fans are separated by fences with big contingents of security forces always in attendance, to avoid violence. Compare that to our beautiful and cheerful fans and you will understand what I am trying to convey.
I have no doubt that our political and corruption problems will be solved sooner rather than later, for the simple reason that honest people far outweigh the corrupt ones. Good will always prevail over evil. The late Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher said:
“I am in politics because of the conflict between good and evil and I believe that in the end, good will triumph.”
The most serious concern is poverty and high unemployment, hence the spike in robberies, murders and the out-ofcontrol and horrible crimes committed. It is to a large degree the indirect result of poverty and unemployment.
People want to eat and and survive, full stop. Decent, not just living wages need to be negotiated and more jobs need to be created as a matter of urgency.
As soon as our big corporate companies, all businesses, our privileged and wealthy citizens can see the big picture and come to the party, then we will be able to move forward.
We can’t wait or depend on the government to solve this problem.They have too many of their own self-made problems on their plates and have no idea how to digest them all.
Let the people of this beautiful country show them the way.
Poverty is destined never to be eradicated but it begs to be alleviated.
I have a fantastic idea of who and how to assist in helping towards that end if given an opportunity again.