It’s the 20th anniversary of our Madiba’s release from prison today. It seems crazy that it’s already been that long. At “almost” 30 I can’t for the life of me remember the occasion that is today being celebrated, but I’m certainly happy that the celebration is taking place and I listened with pleasure as everyone’s favourite love-to-hate shock jock Gareth Cliff spoke fondly of our former president this morning on 5fm. For all the blushing embarrassments that ol’ JZ is currently putting us through, at least in Nelson Mandela we as South Africans will always have someone that we can be unwaveringly proud of.
I have two family members (though honestly don’t for the life of me know exactly how we are related – I would be quite happy to learn that I am mistaken about the relation thing) who love to sing their own praises for their “contribution” to the freedom we now enjoy. What-freaking-ever!! They were two white people who loudly declared that apartheid was wrong. Whoopdie-friggen-do!! I’m sorry but any person with a relatively in-tune moral compass knows that oppression in any form shouldn’t be tolerated. It is surely one’s obligation as a human being to rage against this kind of rubbish! Anyway, as soon as the government started questioning their die-hard anti-apartheid attitudes they fled the country for Canada because they were afraid of being arrested. Wow you guys are such heroes.
Please save your bragging for AFTER your 27 year prison sentence….
Now they come back here every few years and subject us to long-winded anal-retentive discussions about “what is wrong with South Africa”. They use phrases like “If only the natives…” *insert choice condescending makes-me-wanna-slap-you phrase here*
What the hell??!!! Go back to Canada!!
Nothing irritates me more than South Africans sitting in other countries who apparently have all the answers as to why things are as they are. If you’re so clued up on what should be happening here then why are you sitting in Timbuktu instead of HERE implementing those great and wonderful ideas of yours? My favourite question from ex-South Africans: aren’t you SCARED to live there? No you daft imbecile I am not!
I find it shocking that these people call themselves “South African”. They delight in telling horror stories that help feed their need for drama and attention. They sit on the other side of the world and paint themselves as victims to their new fellow countrymen.
I’ve said it before but I definitely have a fierce (ok and sometimes mean) streak when it comes to defending this country. My tolerance for those who put her down is low to say the least. I love her. And I love her aggressively.
And then I look at Madiba. What an amazing man! He just seems to be the absolute dictionary definition of a hero. Humble, honest, and with possibly the kindest eyes that have ever graced the nation. He is completely void of the aggression I tend to feel from time to time! He just simply beams out sincere smiles and perfect patience. How wonderful that a mere mortal should be able to inspire such a feeling of serene calm. How amazing that this man who has sacrificed so much lives with no anger in his heart.
How incredible that we as South Africans can claim this man as our own!!
I understand that the Soccer World Cup is highly significant for our country, and I understand the “I Was There” campaign as far all that is concerned and I do acknowledge the importance(although I also admit that someone had to explain it to me at first). I’m sort of glad that I will be able to say “I was there” as far as all that is concerned, but far more importantly and despite my foggy memory as far as most of the details go, I am thrilled to be able to say “I was there when things started to change. I was there when my country started to rebuild. I was there when my country got better…”
So, I would like to say thank you to Mr. Mandela for being the reason that all of us are lucky enough to be able to say “I was there”!!
Great article. I like it even though I don’t live in South Africa, I do remember Apartheide. Keep up the good work.
Nicely said!
Like you when barely remember his actual release, but what i do remember is the sudden changes that were happening and the news that i couldn’t fully comprehend. I was at a boarding school from a young age and unlike some of my classmates who had parents who were against the end of apartheid, I had no idea of what the apartheid years were really like or anything like that.
I also watched as all my friends started dissappearing to “greener” (read: covered in shit) pastures and after a few years missed the country and came back.
I have never wanted to leave this country except to travel, but more than anything I want to see all there is to see in this country.
Thats why i intend on doing a full month + roadtrip on motorbike sometime soon.
I wasn’t there. I was taking a swim in the back yard. (It was hot that day!!!!)
I do remember watching a few minutes on TV; enough to realise he wasn’t Jonas Savimbi.
(For some reason I always had a picture of Jonas in my head when people spoke about Nelson Mandela.)
Then I went back to the pool, ‘cos it wasn’t getting any cooler out there.
D7… you are nothing if not special my friend
Dude, that ‘relative’ once told me proudly, expecting me 2 be impressed, that she corrected a waiter in malawi’s english cause he spoke so badly, i’d like 2 c her speak his native tongue without flaw, if at all. stupid moron.
Haha she said the other day “I think your sister hates us,” – I replied, “yes she kind of does…”
Unfortunately I didn’t have the courage to say “and so do i”. But I think she may have figured it out for herself. My snarky sarcasm streak is getting really bad. I should probably start dating another asshole to help get it in check again….