Open your eyes and see the rainbow

Georgie Z writes:

I believe that “What you sow you will reap, whether it is thoughts, words or deeds”.

When we only concentrate on one colour we fail to see the rainbow and our perceptions could become self-deception.

If we applied the latest technology to determine what breed I belong to, it will state “South African – different races = Rainbow Nation”.

On merit, I benefited from Nelson Mandela’s policy of equal opportunities for all as I am female.

When has merit and equal opportunities gone down the drain?

New legislation promulgated by government still make a distinction between the rights of black and whites. For example what I previously referred to as “the BEEE in Government’s Bonnet”.

I have been thinking about perception and self-deception. Would whites be deceiving themselves if they perceived that “blacks” (making up the vast majority of South African citizens) are now discriminating against them and that white students are freedom fighters?

Whilst writing the previous letter to the Kempton Express that was published on September 3, I realised how little knowledge I actually had about the history of our country.

As I am not an expert on researching on Google, I referred to the Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, published in 1967, that is in my book collection.

The section “South Africa Chronology” starts by recording when Bartholomew Diaz, a Portuguese navigator, rounded the Cape of Good Hope and landed in Algoa Bay in 1488 up to when Verwoerd was assassinated in 1966.

In the same manner the book records the events that transpired in Rhodesia during the same period. It is my perception that, as my husband’s ancestor’s and mine are very much part of our country’s history, we have a right to be here.

I come from, what would today be referred to as a “disadvantaged” past. My mother had lost her husband and brought up five children on her own. We were amongst the poorest of the poor but we were taught to respect other individuals and not to expect anything for nothing.

I was widowed at the age of 35 and reared three children on my own thereafter. What our young families never lacked was love.

I have just spent six fascinating days with my daughter who is looking after my great-grandson, while his care centre in Botswana is closed during their holidays.

He will be three in November. Even at this young age he understands reason when explained with love. We explained to him that, as I am old and walking with a crutch, I cannot pick him up. Thereafter he brought my crutch to me whenever he thought it was necessary and often told me to “sit”.

Perhaps the only solution is for us to ask God (whatever we conceive him to be) to grant us wisdom not to deceive ourselves or allow politicians to brainwash us when we exercise our perceived rights.