My SOUTH AFRICA...............The country has been through a lot, many jurneys that we do not know of because some paths faded. Is it because of the new generation? Are we to blame? Apartheid existed long before we were born. We hear stories of what had happened, but some of us are still left in the dark. We have seen movies such as Sarafina, yes they were educational but the youth still focusses on the present, they don't see the use to dwell in the past. At times I wish I was born in the past, the olden games that the children used to play seem so enjoyable, the type of dances that came straight from the heart, the respect that existed between mother and daughter, father and son. How grandmother's did not use chairs but use what we call "iSicamba" (a mat made with grass) in Xhosa. Where there would be close relationship between grandmother and grandchild, sharing tales, being taught, do the beading together. Young girls would go to the forest to get wood, so that they prepare supper. How they would giggle and share silly things in the river whilst caring water and some doing the laundry. There were no televisions to disturb them, but there existed an enemy. An enemy that distroyed families, apartheid created divisions, destroyed what was built. The belongings of those were taken away. Now do I still wish I was born in those times?. Where now I'd be a young domestic worker, who worshiped "oMadam", who had already been married with kids, a husband to see once a month, either than now that I am at school, getting good education, young, not a mother, working towards my goals. We don't seem to show interest of what happened in the past, but do we think about the people who lost their family members? It is not going to benefit our lives, because our lives have already been benefitted by the people who died for us, people who fourt for the innocent souls yet to be born. They did not just foccuss on the present, they thought of us even before our existence. We are given choices to choose what subjects to take, what schools to attend, they did not have any choice, they decided to end it. They gave us better ulternatives...a bit of you must be interested in history now... Can you imagine what kind of life we would be having if it was not for them. I'm too afraid to mention names because I might not include them all. Such selfless people. Hearing about apartheid makes my heart heavy, but for those who fourt against it have light hearts because they see us having much choices. Son's grew up without their father figures because they went far away to provide for them, today father's play with their son's soccer. Why should we worry about the past? So that we know history, we understand struggles, we learn about the sacrifices, all in all to appreciate what we have today, they are not asking much, just one thing....to be greatful. Is it too much freedom that we having? Today a young girl is allowed to make abortion without a parent having the knowledge of it, is that what was fourt for. I am not against it, but it is over used. Sometimes we don't choose paths, they are made for us. They went through them bare feet, they bled, badly bruised, but they made it. Are you still thinking of giving up? When we go home "ezilalini" (rural erears) we complain because there is no electricity, water is fetched from far places. We don't realise the beauty of the mountains, the green fields, the rivers that flow. My South Africa, my pride, my home. Racism existed now not anymore, hatred risen now we share love. Today the black and white can hold hands, better yet hug, finally came to realisation that we are one. My South Africa, a country with a history, a country full of hope, freedom is our asset, we own it. Viva SA viva, ma fist is held up high, not to show anger, not to start fights, but to show victory, to show peace and to show togetherness. Unity can never collapse, no one to destroy it beacause we are all united.