When the power of love overcomes the love of power
The world will know peace
Jimmy Hendricks wrote once …
Is this not the root of so many political issues in our beautiful country?
Instead of building a future together
We are breaking statues down, clinging to the past ...
Is this not taking a step backward?
Are we not avoiding the true struggles?
We elect to destroy the past
Breaking down the history ...
Denying those who devoted their lives to fighting for a free and fair South Africa
The credit they deserve
What is their legacy worth
Without the story behind the struggle
Are we not ignoring what they fought for here?
Are we not declaring their life’s work insignificant?
Are we not being selfish?
Should we not walk past statues and feel a sense of victory
Knowing where we came from ...
Celebrating where we are
Walking this road hand in hand?
Being grateful for toward those who fought until they had nothing left
Instead we are secretly still fighting for power over each other
Doesn’t breaking down statues damage our relations more than building it?
Is this not a symbol of ignorance?
Are we not declaring war, a war that has already been won?
Instead of overcoming the past, we are trying to destroy it
Pretend like it never happened?
Seeing how so many diverse cultures can live in harmony ...
Is the fact that we came from an ugly past not empowering?
Is this not a constant reminder of what we as South Africans have achieved?
Am I asking the right questions here?
In the sincerest passages running through the core of my heart
I wish we could stand next to these statues ...
Diverse like no other
And passionately celebrate, united like no other
Celebrate the victory instead of ignoring the past ...
The past cannot be erased ... Not by breaking down the constant reminders thereof
This is only creating a false sense of where we came from
Taking away from us as South Africans …
Denying us the opportunity of rising above the struggle
And feel pride run through us for winning the struggle
Stand up South Africa
Stop trying to erase the past ...
Preventing us from moving forward,
We ourselves, how ironic?
Let’s leave the past behind ...
Walking into the future
Without once looking behind us ...
But NOT denying credit where it is due
Not forgetting where we came from
But remembering that we are strong enough to rise together as a nation
Is this not the goal here?
We are a new generation, a stronger generation
We are the future of Beautiful South Africa
I am sure we carry the scars of our past ...
That is human, not?
Some of the scars having their basic human rights denied …
Some carry the burden of knowing the people before them were the ones denying these rights
To fellow humans …
That is a struggle too, a very real one indeed …
but now
We are strong enough to sit around the camp fire ...
As one ...
Take a step back and look at the beautiful piece of art this creates?
Frame the moment …
And when the goose bumps cover your body from head to toes ...
THAT right there is South Africa running through your veins
Pumping through your heart
Creating the picture of freedom
The most beautiful picture in all the world
The reason we are South Africa ...
Beautiful nation that I am a proud member of ...
I would like to stop referring to the different cultures and colours right this second
I would like us all to see ourselves as South Africa
Let us all claim this
It is ours to take
We have fought for this and man have we succeeded
Before I do
I would like to make a tribute
And I hope South Africa can feel the sincerity running through my body as I write this
When reading this …
I would like to congratulate those who suffered under the struggle of our past
Those whose basic human rights were denied from them
The most inhumane thing I can imagine …
What makes me admire you all,
Is the fact that despite having every reason to lose all dignity
You chose to rise from a struggle so severe and cruel
And show the world that you are a part of South Africa
You have thought those who caused your suffering
Whilst pretending that they are superior over you
The most valuable lesson in life.
You have ignited the beginning of a new era ...
As a young South African I would like to thank you from a place deep beneath skin …
For now I can rest assured …
That our children we will one day bring into this world
Can take the journey of life on in this amazing country
Having the opportunity to experience a united South Africa
Grow up in a place so beautiful,
Not having to be told that we should live separated …
Not ever having to hear someone tell another I am superior because of my skin colour …
That’s bullshit!
It makes me so angry that I struggle to embody myself …
At the same time so thankful that we are past this
Embracing the diversity of our country
The same diversity that creates the overall picture of one
UNITY
I hope you understand my tribute.
This is my final challenge to all South Africans …
Walk past a statue (or any other reminder of our past)
Look around us
and feel the wild fire of diverse united South Africa burn like a thunder storm inside
Let the rhythm of the music run through us like electricity ...
TOGETHER
Feel it with me ... how can we not South Africa?
When we are so incredibly blessed?
South Africa of today:
You are beautiful
You inspire me ...
You drive me ...
South Africa, my home
Your home
OUR home …
Let’s stop challenging each other to walk in the shoes of someone else
Stop the “you won’t understand”
We are a new South Africa
Let us not punish the South Africa of today
For the cruelty of the South Africa of yesterday ...
We have a blank page
Let’s write our own story
A new story
Whoever said we HAVE to write the ending to the ugly story of our past?
Let’s not walk in each other’s shoes …
Let us take the long walk in the same shoes …
Barefoot
No masks.
No pretence.
Just sincerity.
Just beauty.
Free,
Together
United
-Adelé Jansen van Rensburg-