I LOVE MY LAND

I’m sitting here on a weekend bush break with the smell of braai, the grasses in the veld, the cry of the loeries and the warm spring breeze.

While soaking up the sun and thinking things couldn’t feel better, a local radio station is celebrating Heritage Day with a range of South African music, from Mango Groove to Miriam Makeba.

I imagine taking a one-way flight and moving to another country. After the stresses of Covid, of politics within politics, loadshedding, the suffering of our citizens and crime, it makes sense to consider my options.

But my throat starts to tighten and I can’t help but start to tear up.

My family, past and present, have only ever known this beautiful country as home. My heart is full of pride to be South African. There’s so much to celebrate. Our unique country, our people, our food and our music are beyond amazing in their diversity.

Most of us want to be here. We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I feel sad and happy, disillusioned and hopeful. My wish is that my country loves me as much as I love it! KLM, EMAIL