We measure our success based on where we come from and this does tell of a wondrous story, one of triumph, one of victory, one of faith, one of hope, and most importantly one of peace.
The lives we and our children have the privilege of enjoying, is one that was only dreamt of prior to 1994, we must always stay cognisant of the fact. But not only cognisant, we must be aware and conscious of the mighty feat and proud of our heritage.
We live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A city which strives to be, “a world class African city.” We have heard as reported in June of 2013 that, “City fathers in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub, have unveiled an ambitious plan to undo urban inequalities of the apartheid era and turn the continent’s wealthiest city into the “New York of Africa”.”
This plan as stated by City Mayor Parks Tau, is a 10-year scheme, which is set to cost about R100-billion and will lead to a “new era” for Johannesburg and its 4.4-million inhabitants. Our predecessors would share in our elation when he continued, that, “We are re-inventing the city of Johannesburg.”
In this thriving metropolis we have access to clean running water, access to opportunities, business, quality education; we have access, a simple gateway which was used as a weapon to subdue us a people and ultimately a nation.
There are many challenges, yes, but there are also great successes. Too many, it is the City of Gold, to some, the City of Lights and to others, the City of Dreamers. No matter what it is to you, it is a city you can be proud of.
There is a movement called #LovetheDoers, which simply says, instead of talking about what you want to do, just go out and do it. It’s a call to action! George Bernard Shaw said, “The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they make those circumstances.”
The question being posed to you today is, “What’s your good story?” Yes as a country, we have attained the 20 year mark, but as a citizen of this country, when you look back at your 20 years in this democracy, what have you attained in your street, in your community.
We have seen government launch campaigns and create a consciousness around active citizenship and participative democracy, how are you becoming an active citizen? Being an active citizen is not only about complaining, which we as South Africans do all too well, it’s not only about blowing the whistle on crime and corruption which is necessary, it seeks to pull you towards action.
Now you may ask, “How can I become and active citizen?” And honestly we seek to do things with grand plans, we want to have the masses at our interventions, programmes, projects and events.
Active citizenry says, make an impact in small doses. These small doses will have a ripple effect and soon we will see the change we seek, but not only will we see it, we will be it. Les Brown says, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are, and never be satisfied with yourself.”
This is the principle we must adopt in our desire to see a change in our communities. We are facing terrible social ills which tear at the moral fibre of our communities; ask yourself what you can do to change it.
Simple ideas of what can be done. If you’ve always wanted to start up a soup kitchen, start it. Make a small pot of soup and feed as many as you can from that one pot.
If you see the streets filled with litter, gather your neighbours and do a clean-up campaign, just in your street. When a family in your neighbourhood has been torn apart by violence or crime, offer support, love, compassion to that family. If you see young people caught up in drug abuse, gather them together and walk the journey with them towards the change they need.
Our youth are loitering in the streets, gather them and help them start up a cooperative or participate in the Jozi @ Work programme, and once they’ve started, as a community, support them, by using their products or services.
You don’t need the masses to make a difference. Let’s work towards our own individual story as active citizens, who are participating in this democracy. So that when you look back, 20 years from now, you too, as a South African, will have “A Good Story to Tell.”
Views shared by Sipho Masigo do not necessarily reflect the views of the Southern Courier or Caxton Local Newspapers
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Don’t tell a good story – inspire the nation
