South African Citizen

I am a South African citizen, neither black or white, male or female. I was born on this land in 1990. I was brought up without personally knowing apartheid, and through my years made many dear friends. Within my reality: ambition, willpower and a dream allows for success in life.

I then read the paper, and turn on the TV; when exposed to this I am angered. Angered at how adults try to enforce me and my peers to see color. Day after day, they fight each other and bicker on passed occurrences- seeking justice, revenge and compensation.

Why should I be subjected to now looking at my friends and noticing their color? Who dares to place that thought in my head! I do not become friends with someone because of their skin - How do I make friends with Skin? Skin can not talk to me, skin cannot give me the feelings I enjoy! People are heart – you cannot see that, you can only feel that.

I say, grow up; be the man and woman you need to be for your children and your country – how can we move on as a nation if there is still hatred stemmed from the past? By enforcing such ideals, our children are learning of hatred they did not need to associate themselves with. If we all consider ourselves to be equal there would be no need for – “whose piece of the pie is bigger.” People would not have to fill in their “Race” or “Gender” in application forms and as such interested people would look at a person’s character or achievements when learning about them – and not make a decision based on one look (Would that also not condemn people that are born a certain race or gender, but rather encourage people to strive for more in their lives?) One cannot move forward bearing a shackled boulder from the past. Grow up and do what is needed to be done and put aside what is needed to be placed aside – so that this country may move forward into a colorblind society.

Another mentality that I think needs to be highlighted is that people of South Africa think that the R.S.A. Government is a “higher power” that is chosen to control and run the country. Wrong. Every single citizen, from below the working-class to the rich are equally responsible for this country’s management, and decide who should manage our country by voting – and the political party that is elected is then given task of looking after our country. Where do they get the money to perform such a task? Tax.

Every single citizen of South Africa pays tax; the person who has no job or house and pays R4.99 for a litre of milk – they pay VAT, which means contributing to the Governments salary – therefore the Government works for that money. To put it into practical terms: We all pay 14% VAT on ALL items we buy, so instead of paying R1000.00 for ones monthly shopping bill, we pay R1140.00 for our shopping bill, and that R140.00 is then given to pay the Government their salary. Do not forget – South African citizens are the Boss of the Government, the Government serves South African citizens.

I feel that we forget that fact and become complacent with the mistakes of the Government. The ANC is not better or more powerful then South Africa – the ANC is the servant of South Africa.