There are a cacophony of blurbs and up-coming events to look forward to this year including the promotion and support of South African business. I was told very recently that, “if you can’t make it this year, you’ve had it” and I feel like that should resonate true for a lot us in South Africa. This is an enormous year for South Africa, or is it? There are many skeptics out there who believe that the up and coming events of this year will pass us by without leaving a remaining affect on the country. Many believe that the hype is “good for now”, but when the looming World Cup rolls on by, businesses will again slump into the doldrums that has been appropriately named the “Nasty ‘09’s”!
If you weren’t affected by the “global” recession, maybe you were doing something right…or very, very wrong! Granted the recession didn’t seem to impact on South Africa as hard as it did in other countries such as the UK and the States where thousands and thousands of people were retrenched due to massive corporate cut backs and expenditure. Many of the larger corporate companies were “hit” in this exact way in South Africa, but the affect was extremely minimal in comparison.
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"We don't smoke before we sing Ras..." ---> I'm just saying...
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One fact will remain constant this year, and inevitably always will and that is change. We call ourselves the most diverse nation in the world, filled with many a culture and a collection of individuals who make up what we call a contemporary South Africa…really? Do you believe that? Really?
Each to their own opinion, but as I mentioned before, a change is coming and much like a the classic Bob Dylan song, which still has the power of modern day appeal: (Think he would have done better than our last "Disgrace-usami" ---> See what I did there? Yes, I'm an idiot!)
“Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.”
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This guy needs an award or something!
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Now, this is where my personal slap-to-the-ignorant-shines-best…I urge you to pay attention to this year and take notice, not to the massive corporate bodies and sponsors of the eminent World Cup, but to the “little guy”, the small companies making huge strides to earn their piece of the pie this year, before and after the festivities are gone! There is so much good to be extruded from this time in our country’s development and those that stand idle will be sure to miss out on the incredible opportunity that this wonderful country of ours has to offer.
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There has been much speculation over how and what affect the World Cup 2010 will have on South Africa, both during and after. We are all wondering whether the boost of confidence, stimulation of business and “gees” will remain once the hype has dissipated and the festivities have moved on. We all know that there is much to look forward to in terms of the World Cup, but how will it change your life? Are you one of the lucky few renting out your apartment or house for what seems like Malboro Drive off-ramp robbery? Or are you someone who has tickets for one or two of the forth-coming games? Or worse off, are you one of those simple by-standers who will stand idle as this great spectacle unfolds around you? Think long and hard about which category you fall into and then possibly think of reconsidering if you find yourself dwelling among the idlers.
Directly quoted from one of the most patriot websites I know of here in South Africa, here are some of the highlights of 2009 that will no doubt resonate into 2010: “(Here’s a blog post from Constitutionally Speaking written by Pierre De Vos that I found on what went right in 2009:)”
1. “South Africa had another free and fair election (it’s fourth!) without any serious violence and the fourth democratic President was inaugurated soon afterwards.” ---> So the guy has 5 wives now, he’s a Pimp Daddy, if he can handle 5 women, he can handle everything South Africa has to thrown at him!
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And let's not forget this little slip up...Nice Zapiro!
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2. “The government decisively changed direction on HIV/AIDS and President Jacob Zuma appointed a health minister who clearly understands that the problem of HIV needs to be dealt with in a comprehensive manner.” ---> Thank goodness the Beetroot Bandit has moved on (RIP), disliked that vegetable anyway!
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If you're offended...look away...! Genius Zapiro again!
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3. “Nkosazana Zuma has begun to change things around at the Department of Home Affairs. A friend of mine received her passport only 4 weeks after submitting her application!” ---> I have not received my new South African passport, it’s been 6 weeks!
4. “The South African banking system weathered the international financial crisis very well and the SA government did not need to pump billions of dollars into the system as was required by the USA, the UK and some European countries.” ---> As I said earlier, we’re through it…some of you might be saying..."through what…?" - Climb out from under that rock and say hello please!
5. “A free press and independent electronic media continued to thrive and to present a variety of news, exposes and opinion, sometimes harshly critical of the foibles of the governing party and sometimes singing its praises.” ---> I’m all for free speech…I believe it has something to do with my lack of “brain to mouth filter”!
6. “Some members of the tripartite alliance began exposing Julius Malema as the self-serving, headline-grabbing, tenderpreneur that he is.” ---> I love this guy, think he should have his own talk show…yes, I said it, his own talk show…he’ll probably have a better audience than Mr.Cliff-Hanger!
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And the hits just keep on coming...!!!
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7. “The selection of a new Chief Justice and four new judges to the Constitutional Court proceeded without unnecessary controversy and several good candidates were appointed to the positions while a certain Judge President were clearly not a serious contender for appointment.” ---> South African politics is not my forte so will have to take Nic’s word on this one!
8. “A vibrant civil society continued to thrive and to challenge seemingly unlawful decisions made by the President and y constitutional institutions such as the Judicial Services Commission in various courts across South Africa.” ---> 2009 was the year for speaking up, no other year can compare to what civil uprising took place last year, it was a good year for the people!
9. “South Africa successfully hosted the Confederations Cup and the various soccer stadiums for 2010 Fifa World Cup were completed on time.” ---> This was just a taste of things to come for the World Cup this year…it’s going to be manic!
10. “Many South Africans quietly continued to build bridges and build the nation by giving of their time and money to address the poverty and deprivation of fellow South Africans.” ---> Quite the subjective point here, but it’s true, more and more South Africans are waking up to the stricken situation that our country really faces for the future! As optimistic as one can be, there is still much to be done and it all starts on a grassroots level…each and every one of us!
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Home!
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To conclude, I believe if it came down to it, every single South African would defend his or her country by tooth and nail if insulted or discriminated against…so why not have that mentality always? I’m not saying walk around with a “chip on your shoulder” oozing xenophobia from every orifice, I’m saying don’t be tarnished with a hypocritical brush before you have the chance to be counted!
This is the year to stand up and be counted as a true South African…be true to yourself!
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