A South African met another African while abroad and together, they uncovered who we really are.
SJ Naude met a lady from Benin, Africa randomly at a music Festival in Paris. They spoke for about an hour about the state of Africa and our different countries. They both spoke of the rottenness that plagues them both, but, strangely, they both spoke fondly about their homelands.
“The conversation I had with her just reinforces my position that the more I travel, the more I love home. I have been very fortunate to visit no less than 7 countries (on 3 continents) in the past year. And as much as travel broadens the mind, it reminds me how much I love Africa.
Yes, South Africa is vrot with crime and corruption. Our governing body is a joke and you can’t go anywhere without looking over your shoulder.
I chuckle every time we go to a country and they tell me to be vigilant. Bitch please. I’m from Joburg masekind, ons vattie kakkie.
Our education system is screwed, our medical system a travesty and we can’t even keep the lights on during the national anthem. We complain about the state of the roads and our police are a non-existent entity. Bribery is as part of our lives as knowing someone who has been hijacked.”
But run into another African abroad, and something beautiful happens.
For that little while, you are family. Your skin colour doesn’t matter and your background doesn’t exist. For a few minutes, you are just fellow Africans.
“All the bull doesn’t count because you know why? Because we flipping love Africa. There’s no place like it and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I loved the history and metros in Paris. I loved shopping in America. I loved the people of Mexico. I loved the food in Iran. Ghana welcomed me with open arms. But there’s something about Africa, and especially South Africa and its people that you just can’t describe.”
SJ’s only wish is that we will one day stand together as South Africans. As Africans. And build a better country. A better future.
“Because I don’t care what colour your skin is. Or what your heritage is. Or what language you speak. I am African. White and Afrikaans as I am, I am African. Because I effing love Africa.
And I genuinely believe that, together, we can build this country up to its full glory.
Vergeet die kak, screw the bull that divides us. Why must we only unite when we meet each other abroad? If you love this country and want to fight to make it a better place, then you are my brother, and you are my sister.
And I will fight with you, because I flipping love this place.”
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