Old Takkies Indaba

A while back there used to be an advert for “Proudly South African” (when Tokyo Sexwale and the lads were serious about being South African), that went something like “today I woke up in a place filled with joy, laughter and drums that beat, children singing, a place where opportunities are in abundance”. Those are not the exact words but it’s that message they were rallying across which had a significant impact on boosting the economy as well as how people felt about being South African and gave hope to the nation that they were part of something great and that they had opportunities, whether equal or not that would be another topic on it’s own.

After that whole campaign it’s when I actually realised or even took notice at the fact that I was South African, but I had to ask myself questions first into what made me a south African. At first it seems like a daunting task (or rather it is one), because I was born here, and actually never lived in any other country and have no intentions to do so – but that’s the patriot in me talking.

Getting back to the point of what makes me exactly a South African.

I looked at different sporting codes, which ones we were good or bad at, and whether if stuck in a conversation with someone of a non resident origin, what I would say and if attacked how would I defend my country and find a best attacking tool.

Yes some we really are terrible at and some really good at but we will find someone to blame for that, we always do.

Then there was “where I’ve stayed” in terms of the atmosphere of the residents and the economy part as well (haves and have nots). Mind you I’ve stayed almost everywhere in the Gauteng province, and that exposed me to all kinds of living (or lifestyle if you prefer) on how people lived in that particular neighbourhood.

Then there was the issue of our entertaiment industry – “if we have one”, and how it’s being handled or advocated, and no I’m not talking SAB, as it’s apparent that we consume more beer or alcohol than most of europe (something somewhat troubling to me or exciting if you are my nephew).

Finally, there are a whole lot of aspects, factors and non factors as well that we can view, but I realised that on all the subjects I touched on, nothing is more eminent to me than that of the residents of this country.

How we carry on with our love hate relationship but as soon as the Spaniards blast for being too noisy and downright African when we are at football matches, we turn around and defend our country with passion seen only in Rugby matches in Pretoria.

And even though every second individual in their youth (and some elderly residents as well) want to migrate to the UK or Australia, and as soon as they get there they realise that this it’s not home and immediately want to come back – at least more than half of them anyway.

Therefore those are the reasons on what makes me South African and will continue being one and inspired by our no nonsense attitude towards everything South African and not.