by fairychild

Created on: May 03, 2008

I am South Africa's lost generation. Stuck in between transformations and memories of a racist past. When South Africa held it's first democratic elections in June 1994, the air was sizzling with electricity of a country on the brink of change.

I was 16 and watched my giddy parents vote for the first time in their adult lives. You see, my family is Indian and apartheid laws segregated us from other races. My school was filled with black, Indian and coloured (mixed-race) kids. There was no interaction with white people. But my parents strived for inter-racial interaction at time when it was considered taboo.

When South Africa became a democracy, my father who worked for the SA navy, said:"This is your time. The world is yours. You can go anywhere and do anything! Make the most of this opportunity."

So I ventured out into this new, exciting country, eager to cross boarders with no restrictions. Sadly, the dream of a united and wholly transformed nation has been lost. South Africa has become a haven for the most violent and hateful crimes. Innocent people are slaughtered everyday for their cellphones and cars. Women and children are the biggest causalities. Victims of rape and indecent assault by our own country men, makes me hang my head in shame. Millions are dying. Their broken bodies ravished by Aids. Unemployment breeds more crime. Poverty in South Africa knows no colour.

People are starving. People are dying. People are fed-up. People have given up and have fled their home to find peace in other country's.

There's no service delivery.

Politicians are corrupt and the government ignores the cries of the people. We have a power crisis, water crisis, Aids crisis, economy crisis, fuel crisis, unemployment crisis, crime crisis and morality crisis.

This is set against a beautiful backdrop. Green,lush hills, beautiful beaches with warms waters and majestic animals roam in game reserves close-by.

When the sun descends, it spills brilliant shades of red and orange and you know you're in Africa.

South African are divided. By race, gender and status. We refuse to accept that we're all in this together and that instead of pointing fingers we should strive to work together.

Stop blaming each other and stop thriving off each other's mistakes. My country has been ravished. And like so many of my country folk, I want to see peace in my life time.

Saving South Africa is everyone's responsibility. Stop the blame and make a difference. And maybe peace will come.

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