Naturalised South Africans filled with hope for the future
WHILE Aldona Tommy believes diversity in South Africa is its greatest strength, she fears the failure of its citizens to stand united could dampen future prospects.
“We fail to realise that it is the new South Africa versus our unfavourable past, and we should not be in a fight with each other.
“Our problems and inequality can, and will, only last for as long as we fight each other to solve our problems, instead of using all our resources, talent and skills that our diversity has to offer to make us a powerful force in the future.”
Aldona and her brother, Akhil Tomy, were among 278 foreigners from around the world who recently received their South African naturalisation certificates from Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.
The 19-year-old, from Kokstad, a second-year medical student at the University of Pretoria, said, however, that she felt no different as she had always felt like a South African.
“South Africa had always felt like a home away from home. I’ve always felt an immense comfort and warmth being in this beautiful country among beautiful people, and gaining citizenship only helped in officiating this feeling,” said Aldona.
She and Akhil, 22, a psychology student at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, applied for citizenship in 2016.
Their parents, Tomy Joseph, an entrepreneur, and Anit Tomy, a teacher, who are formerly from Kerala, India, moved to South Africa in 1994.
“It was an adventure they took up to seek new opportunities to make a living, not only for the family they were going to create, but also for the many relatives in India who still relied on them for support.”
Aldona said the country was accepting and appreciative of different cultures, “so showcasing our culture here has only been a pleasure”, and described South Africa as being blessed by mother nature.
“Our beauty remains unmatched. I have also always admired South Africa’s ability to adapt to change and to accept innovations to better ourselves.
“I see South Africa as a country with immense potential, and it is encouraging that we can shape South Africa to be whatever we want, and the ability to do so remains in our hands, the youth.”
Despite her love for the country, Aldona and her family still have close ties with relatives in India.
“Although I have not lived there permanently myself, we try to visit my grandparents at least once every two years.”
For now, she plans on completing her degree and looks forward to serving South Africans after graduating.
“I hope I can contribute in improving South Africa in future years. I also look forward to working together with my fellow South Africans.”
She said she envisioned a bright and successful South Africa “where older generations can look at us with hope and our country can move forward, not by forgetting our past, but by accepting it and using our lessons learned to boost our efficiency and ability to run a phenomenal country with pride and power”.