Recently, I was aboard a Boeing 737, on a flight headed towards Cape Town, in South Africa. It was a domestic flight, as I do live in the country. However, during this flight something remarkable happened – a process that I would collectivley dub in it’s entirety as “the moment my eyes were open to the world.”
As we began our descent, and as the structures, people and vehicles below became clearer and clearer, I looked outside the window, having the luxury of a window seat. I could make out farms, mountainscapes, and all in all, absolute beauty. You could call me slow and non-observant, but for possibly the first time in my life I appreciated the world.
As we got nearer and nearer to the runway, my fascination and wonder could only grow accordingly. However, just before we touched the ground, I saw something that startled me. Right outside the fence that would cut the airport off from the outside world and therefore making the runway protected, I eyed informal settlements. Now, I ask you, the reader, if you were a tourist arriving in the country, and on your way to land you eyed shacks and heart-rending poverty, what would you think? Surley this site would only compliment the common, incorrect association with South Africans and the belief that they do, in fact, have wild animals in their back garden, and we’re all a plain bunch of farmers who have a history of racism and a system called ‘Apartheid’ that one day gained the world’s attention.
However, this is truly not the case. Although South African does suffer from poverty, informal settlements and a high rate of crime, I rate that people, when they think about South Africa, don’t even know what the country is truly like. Allow me to give you a brief run through of the positive aspects of our country: We have beautiful landscapes, beaches, you name it. For the most part, we’re damn well friendly people. We often go out of our way to help one another. We have beautiful settled areas, generally have great weather (depending on location in the country) and we just get on with our own business. Speaking of business, it generally thrives here.
However, on the negative side, our soon-to-be president, Jacob Zuma, whom I shall remain impartial to for the sake of this article, has been accused of rape, been involved in an arms deal, (although the charges for both were later dropped) stated that he has ‘taken a shower to reduce the chance of being infected with HIV/AIDS’ and has sung a rather dubious song about violence and suggestive killing that only has two lines repeated over and over, while on campaign. We have our President of the ANC (Our ruling political party) Youth League, a young man (whom I shall also remain impartial to) who has stated that we should kill for this president elect. This ruling party has always been the topic of conversation over it’s policies, a good example being that they wish to rename many of the roads of the country against the will of the majority of the people.
Strikes and rallies are common here, and crime is a day to day occurance. All in all, I can see why people would tend to stay away from our country due to what is seen and heard on the media. But, just for know, consider us as Susan Boyle – the amazing Britian’s Got Talent contestant who is now a YouTube sensation – Before she sang to her audience, virtually all of them shook their heads, thinking that the 47 year old could probably not sing a note. However, during her performance, she earned several standing ovations from nearly the entire audience is now a household name. Consider us as something not seen at face value – an amazing country, a true rainbow nation, as so adequately described by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
So, journeying back to my flight, I wondered: Why have these settlements shown to prospective tourists, and have them right outside an airport? (To prevent dispute, I do not agree in any way with the option of demolishing these settlements or forcefully relocating their residents) But the real question that ached on inside of me was ‘Are we really in such bad shape?’
Furthermore, it seems our government, upon landing, has chosen to renovate this airport, bringing it into a modern and advanced design. But was this a good way to improve the area? Should the poverty stricken informal settlements less than a kilometer away not have received first priority? I do hope that Helen Zille, the new Mayor of Cape Town and Premier of the Western Cape would address this, although judging by what she has done in the past, I am confident in her ability.
Our country has, over the past 8 years, been under the subject of controversial government from our past president, Thabo Mbeki, who, rather that be criticized for wrongdoings like most political leaders today, is constantly criticized for his apathy on many situations, the Zimbabwe crisis being a good example.
In these times, I often look upon United States President Barack Obama as a source of inspiration: A good man who sees that our world, more specifically his state of America, needs change in order to be a thriving nation. He dreams of a new America, albeit a changed one, and this is the same way I choose to look at South Africa – a great country, that needs change in order to endure and prosper.
Sure, Liberalism is a healthy pursuit – but to what degree should it be taken to and what should we remain conservative about? Should South Africa see the return of the Death Penalty? Should a firmer stance be taken on crime? Can corruption be stopped? And most of all – in these times, can we hold on to the one thing more dear than our credit cards, wallets and fast cars – our honesty and values? Could we hope for this in South Africa?
I recall once asking my grandfather about what is different about this day and age from his own time when he was in his youth; and rather than talk about money, technological advancement, or the breakthroughs in medicine and media, to which he replied: “People have lost their honesty.”
That, for me, is the key question about living in South Africa. Not something along the lines of “Will the price of petrol and living go down?” or “Will this economic recession end?” but something more along the lines of “Will the new South Africa, in generations to come be a country regarded for it’s refined state, it’s ability to finally end and seek creative solutions agaisnt disease, elecrticity crises, abuse of leadership, corruption, arms deals, crime, and poverty, or is it more likley that we’ll end up following in the footsteps of a country like Zimbabwe?”
I’m fairly sure that’s the question that faces every South African and every one of our prostpective citizens, but with Jacob Zuma set to become president, can he redeem our country – and himself in the eyes of many – or shall he take us on a rollercoaster ride of ridicule from the world? All I could say is, is that’ll I’ll be following his every decision – good or bad, and I’ll just have to place my trust in the man. Either way, I’m sure South Africa will make history, as it has done so in the past.
I’ll be watching.
Well as the title suggests, this month I seem to have expanded my media forte!
I’ve watched the new Tom Cruise movie out – Valkyrie – and although the
movie hasn’t been ascertaining such spectacular reviews, I must commend it as I thought it was excellent – I thought the Hitler scenes were beautifully orchestrated as such as you felt your stomach tighten with sheer anxiety whenever he was about – and the overwhelming sadness at the end when one sees the plot come to an unsuccessful end – one almost wishes there could be a Valkyrie II! If you’re into suspense and a delightful historic romp, then I believe Valkyrie is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I even watched it a second time. Before actually watching the movie, I sat down for a quick 30 minutes and watched the History Channel’s Days That Shook The World, as they featured an episode on the actual July 20 plot that the movie revolves around, I must commend how the film’s director, Bryan (Yes, I know, he must be a nice chap!) Singer, pain attention to detail – virtually no incident on the day has gone unnoticed, and the only issue regarding the storyline that I can think of is that the plot might no have come to as close success as it did in reality
I’ve also bought Epic Games’ Gears of War 2, which I must say is the most amazing, spectacular game I’ve ever played on my ‘360 – even dethroning Halo 3 as being my favourite game. It is difficult in describing as it has all the right elements in all the right places – the plot, the gameplay, the overall length of the campaign all roll beautifully into a gigantic mix of well… Epicness! 
(Although I played with the gore inactive – I don’t like seeing blood that much )
A few months ago I aslo bought Far Cry 2, which I also enjoyed. I thought the setting was well conceived, as I live in Africa and rural spots as seen in the game usually aren’t that far away from civilization – so it was something I really grew to appreciate. I enjoyed the open world feeling of the game – and I feel that more first-person shooters should follow in Far Cry 2’s wake. The game managed to leave me exhilarated until the very ending – and was incredibly realistic.
I’ve also decided to can the idea of a Too Human review, as I still haven’t finished the game and now being in my senior phase of school, time is of the essence!
So, thus far, my eyes have rarely been separated from a screen! But, rest assured, I have been keeping myself busy otherwise – my guitar studies are coming along really well and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! Otherwise, I do not have much else to report… I am thinking of entirely re-writing Jorran Skorm now, as I have a few good plot ideas in place… but, until next time, I shall leave it at this cliffhanger!
Well, although I admit I haven’t managed to live up to my promise of updating my blog regularily, mainly due to the fact that my holiday spot didn’t provide sufficient signal for my iBurst modem to work, it’s time to start a new year. I’ve been contemplating the eventual fate that might befall 49mhz this year, as I’ve moved into my senior phase at school and I might not have as much time to update.
I may decide to pehaps move 49mhz to a different spot on the web and/or downsize it to just a private personal blog which wouldn’t really have any worldly news nor importance attached to it.
But anyway… enough of my scheming ways 
I had an awesome Christmas and New Year… apart from the fact that I was sick on Christmas day due to a horrible pizza I ate the night before, and I acquired some nifty items such as a Samsung digital camcorder, and Call of Duty: World at War (which I finished just the other day, and was fantastic! Although a bit violent during the American part of the campaign) and although I really liked the style of the last Call of Duty, M
odern Warfare, I strongly feel that World at War was a tremendous step in the right direction.
Also, at towards the end of last year I began my quest to learn to play the guitar (taking inspiration from my good friend Rahul) on my newly acquired Ibanez acoustic which my mom helped me out with, which is quite a feat for me seeing as I’ve never taken interest in a musical instrument before (Which I greatly regret now!) and I must say it’s really fun, and I’m really enjoying it. I can play a few songs now (thanks to some help) like Life In Technicolor by Coldplay, Day Tripper by the Beatles and I even had a crazy moment and learnt to play Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple. I must say, it’s the most fun I’ve actually had in while!
At the moment, I’m considering what my next purchase of a game should be, and I’m considering Far Cry 2, although I’m not completely won over yet. I listened to Gears of War 2’s main theme this morning, Hope Runs Deep, and I think it’s a masterpiece! I’d be contemplating Gears if I didn’t have a thing about overly violent games. (I’m praying for no attacks about that one!)
I have no real news left after that, so I think I’ll leave it here for now, and here’s hoping 2009 is a good year for all!
