I am all that this land is,
What it was, and what it could be
South Africa is my home
Heritage is so unique that it holds visitors in awe
A melting pot of cultural differences
Essentially the same flowing through
We fight to keep our identity individual
Yet, take on the world to hold up our people
I am of Indian descent, fourth generation
But South African in every way
Born and raised in the dusty streets of apartheid
To a country being ripped apart by poverty, crime, social injustices
Yet this is home, a familiar comfort in the chaos that reigns
We brought the iphuthu from the sugar mill compounds into our homes, kremelpap in the suburbs
We’ve taken the curry and atchar, from Durban to the streets in the townships
We all search for the perfect chicken dust
And shishsanyama on a Saturday afternoon, call it a lekker braai if you must
Colour may separate us, but sport unites us
Food is the thread that holds it together
Yet quintessentially, that thing of being South African is simply being South African
This is home. Yes, my roots touch the shores of India, but this is where my soul belongs
My every breath is South African, it’s just a vibe, a feeling.
That South African universal thread that ties me to you on the soil of this land
By Padmini Govender
HAVE YOUR SAY
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