When thinking of South Africa, many people think of crime, racial tension and governmental greed and corruption. Although these problems indeed exist and persist, South Africa is much more than that.
I arrived in Cape Town five years ago, to work as a reporter for one of the local newspapers. What was supposed to be a six-month fling, turned into a more permanent affair as South Africa managed to nestle itself in my heart, my mind, my soul, my entire being.
I was struck - and still am, often - by the complexity of this sometimes bizarre society, its enormous problems, the paranoia, the suspicion, the fact that the country's horrible past is sometimes only buried just 6 inches, instead of 6 feet, under. I am puzzled by some of the decisions that have been and are being made by government, by the fact that so many South Africans are still waiting for what was promised to them 15 years ago.
This makes me angry, very angry. And bitter. And frustrated. And sad. And cynical. Sometimes I can't help myself for wanting to curse real loud in every possible language that comes to mind. Because I simply love this country, with every fiber of my soul.
I know that I am not alone in this. Many people, both South Africans and people form elsewhere, are at times negative about this place. Some even apply for refugee status in another country.
And that too, how contradictory and hypocritical it may sound as I write about South Africa's massive problems on a regular basis, makes me angry. Despite the fact that I am aware of the challenges, discrepancies, the gap between have and the have nots, the horrible state of affairs in for instance the public health sector, I know and believe that South Africa is more than that.
The Netherlands is not only about weed and prostitutes, like Nigeria is more then corruption, like not all Americans are ignorant and have little knowledge about the rest of the world, like not all Muslims are fundamentalists, South Africa is more than crime, greed, racial tension, and corrupt government officials. Much more.
Yes, these and other urgent problems I have mentioned exist and persist, but nevertheless I believe in South Africa. It remains one of the most beautiful places on earth - one with so much potential. This country will however never reach that potential when it is continuously being slammed, bashed, and trashed.
That is why, every day, I try to think of something positive this country has to offer. Because by being positive (which is not the same term for idealistic or naivety) you can achieve more then by reverting to doom and gloom.
So, when the sun was setting, I thought about Mama Rose, who in the Victoria Mxenge township and together with other women, is building houses for those who do not have a proper roof over their heads. I thought of Phumi Tsewu, a choir master at a high school in the Gugulethu township, and how he led his 77 kids to Salisbury Arts Festival last year after being invited by the organizers. I thought of how he was more then a father then a teacher, loving his students like they were his own flesh and blood. I thought of the countless small grass root organisations I have written about, all determined to make South Africa a better place for all.
I thought about many more people and many things. About the charity organisation that helps street kids. About that one street child that made it as a chef in England. About Desmond Tutu's giggle and Nelson Mandela's charisma. I thought about how the community of Cape Town pulled together after a friend and I asked for donations for a children's trauma center. With the donations, we kitted out 2 more similar centers. I thought of that one nurse, who on a voluntary basis provides HIV counseling in Cape Town's townships.
Bit by bit, as the sun went down, I realized once again what a fabulous place this is, with so any fabulous people. South Africa, whether you want to believe it or not, is so much more than the doom and gloom we read, and I sometimes write, on a daily basis.
