When I woke up to the news that Malusi Gigaba is our new finance minister I thought it was joke, that April Fool’s day came a day earlier. But then I saw the news of the cabinet reshuffle and a wave of depression and powerlessness washed over me. I felt completely defeated and at a loss for words. I entered a state of utter disbelief and shock because surely this could not be happening. The night before when I went to bed the world seemed okay. South Africa was in trouble but we could still manage. I was still feeling elated that Jacob Zuma was not welcome to make a speech at the funeral of Ahmed Kathrada. And now this. I felt shattered, violated, depressed and oppressed. I felt abused.. Then the anger started setting in, how dare Jacob Zuma do this? How dare he so blatantly and shamelessly sell our country to the highest bidder? How dare he and his ministers hijack South Africa? This is beyond arrogance. This is the tipping point for all of us. This is enough.
It would be easy to now run for the hills in another country and just let our country to the dogs. It would be easy to have thoughts of leaving for greener pastures in another country. And I did entertain those thoughts for a few minutes. But THIS is my country. THIS is my home. I BELONG here. This is my country of birth and I will stay and fight for the soul of my country.
South Africa does not belong the ANC, the DA, the EFF, or any other political party. It surely does not belong to Jacob Zuma and his thugs. It belongs to you and me, to our children, our grandparents, it belongs to all of us. We have the right to a better life. We deserve better leaders. We deserve freedom from corruption. We deserve to have our voices heard.
We can no longer keep quiet. We can no longer waste our time on useless racist rants made by ignorant idiots. We can no longer allow ourselves to be divided by race. Now is the time for all of us to stand up and fight. The future of our country is at stake. The future of our children is at stake.
We can no longer idly stand by and pretend that it is not our problem, or the masses must suffer because they voted this government into power. We are all affected by the actions of these hooligans who are now running our country.
This can no longer be about black and white, about Zula or Xhosa, this is no time to entertain any divisions. This is bigger than you or me and our differences. And it needs a united, concerted effort from all of us to stand up and say enough is enough. If not, our country will be bled dry and we will all pay the price in the end.
You can keep quiet and hope things will change. You can stay in your corner and criticise those who voted for the ANC. You can give up hope and say that the ANC already messed up the country so badly that nothing you can do will make a change. Or you can start with even the smallest act of defiance. Become vocal, take part in rallies, write to express yourself, get in touch with others who feel like you do, start a facebook group. Just do something. The question now is: what are you going to do?
We are not powerless victims. Apartheid was overthrown by ordinary people who had enough of oppression, hatred, cruelty and discrimination. We can’t expect the same people who fought during apartheid to continue fighting for us so we can enjoy the fruits of their victories. This is our battle now. Not just Pravin Gordhan’s or Mcebisi’s Jonas or those inside the ANC who can still tell right from wrong. It is time for all us to do what we can do so that when we look in mirror we can honestly and proudly say, “ I have done my part.”