HOW WE CAN BRIGHTEN SA’S FUTURE

SEPTEMBER provides us, the citizens of this great land, with the opportunity to ponder, reflect and imagine a better way and a greater tomorrow.

Our conversations in the past while have been orchestrated by the failures of the past and the present. As a nation, we have fixated on the fluidity of politics, the intoxication of hatred, the journey of unresolved issues, a mindset of self-pity clothed in a spirit of hopelessness. This is not the South African story, this is not my story and this is not our story.

Last week I had the wonderful privilege of attending a primary school musical concert.

I was reminded of the joyful innocence of children, the untainted mind of the young, the future bright, beautiful and undisturbed.

I was reminded about the power of human capital wrapped in the gift of a child. Appreciating this gift, developing this gift and protecting this gift needs to govern our conversations, inspire our discourse and stimulate our collective spirit of hope.

South Africans are being divided by inequality, and topics such as land redistribution, crime and service delivery protests.

I believe all the above are crucial and necessary for our future sustainability.

The problem is when the focus on self becomes more prevalent than the future we envisage.

Land is important but the protection of our children is a more urgent national crisis.

Nelson Mandela taught us that there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.

Service delivery is an everyday need in developing communities and this also needs urgent attention.

But the development of one’s mind and intellect is more important. Emancipation of the mind will not only eradicate poverty for today, but will liberate generations to come.

I am reminded of the words of Steve Biko who said the most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.

This September, let us redefine our heritage. A heritage not built on the atrocities of the past. A heritage not built on the losses of the past.

A heritage not defined by our skin colour, our differences or our geographical contexts.

Let us move forward from the politics of blame towards building a heritage of inherent possibilities, untainted hearts and a glorious tomorrow built on the dreams, aspirations and hopes of the young.