South African outlooks
I found this photo essay on the BBC website. It gives the comments of eight South Africans on how life has changed after a decade of democracy. Of course an anecdotal snapshot like this can never be representative and could be biased in so many ways. I thought the BBC did a fair job of trying to get a wide range of perspectives. I can relate to all the people and where they are coming from, but I was a bit disappointed that the outlook was not a bit more positive. Then again, I guess my overly-rosy, highly enthusiastic perspective on South Africa is somewhat atypical. I often fool myself in to thinking that it is not.
posted by Nick at
9:38 AM
2 Comments:
I think that the outlook will not readily be said to positive, although it may be so. People will still feel the pinch for a long time, even if generally their lives have improved. Status and money won't be balanced overnight, and I'm afraid that's what many South-Africans were waiting for.
The outlook is better, and change should not, must not, be hurried on unceremoniously, like in Zimbabwe. The backslap from such an endeavour can be quite destructive. Believe me, you guys are doing fine. Just keep going.
I should know. You are all around my country.
By
Rethabile, at 3:21 PM
I feel it a fair reflection--vindicated, in part, by your and Rethabile's excellent pieces on that ill-conceived venture by the SABC, 100 Great South Africans. Even so, we've come a long way. I'll tell you this much; my son has grown to an age where he no longer fears the uniformed police (not that they're around much) and my youngest daughter is oblivious to any notion of segregation. Though we may continue to carry baggage for the rest of our lives, our kids are free of it. And that makes all the difference. So, yes, we have immense problems (and it's up to us to note and fix them) but, as you and Rethabile point out, we're doing better than okay.
By
Mike Golby, at 12:01 PM
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