Why South Africa has lost its charm

I AM a 14-year-old South African living in Johannesburg. I have an older sister who is studying at university. She tells me how many people who study with her want to leave the country once they graduate. I also hear this from the people I know.

They all say there are better opportunities overseas and fewer violent crimes. When I look around here, all I see is a beautiful country with beautiful weather and I wonder why more people would not want to come and live here.

My dad tells me how positive people were when Nelson Mandela came out of prison, and when he was president he seemed to be able to unite people of this country. But that’s not how I see it now.

I listen to the news and all I hear about is crime, racism and how bad the president is. I think this is the reason why young adults want to leave. Grade 8 learner at St Martin’s School, Rosettenville