OPEN LETTER TO SOUTH AFRICANS

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"Kind hearted’ is an expression which is commonly heard in social and business circles. As part of the continent, South Africa is often lumped into that description as well. I cannot help but wonder whether, when you say something often enough, it actually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Should South Africa only be for the brave? Absolutely not – South Africa should be for everyone.

I remember visiting south Africa in the year 2018 as a transit passenger in the process of moving to europe for my medical studies. Whilst staying at the airport hotel, I had the opportunity to read some of tbe graphics of south Africa. The headlines are frightening. They highlight conflicts and instances of human sacrifice and agony that we at the tip of Africa cannot begin to imagine. We don’t see them reported on in quite such graphic detail as they are portrayed in the Middle East.

The suffering of men, women and children in other parts of the world make some of our problems seem so easy to overcome. We live in a continent where democracy and the pursuit of justice for all came about without our having to experience the civil wars and unrest that have been experienced in other parts of the world. Let’s give credit where it is due. Yes, there are immense problems in Africa as a whole but if we work together as one rainbow nations, we can change the world in which we live. 

The world’s investors seek a return on their investments. With projected negative returns in other parts of the word, but positive, albeit low returns in Africa, let’s put  Africa first and work together to ensure future economic growth.

During September you celebrate Heritage Day. On this day you're are encouraged as a nation to remember and celebrate the unique diversity of our multicultural people. We have many different beliefs, traditions and perhaps even outlooks on life, but at the end of the day we are one nation – a nation that is not going to run away from its internal problems, a nation that cannot call anywhere else but South Africa its home.

Whilst on this topic, it would be good for all South Africans to remember that tolerance of other people’s heritage is an essential approach to nation building. The recent xenophobic attacks in parts of our country cannot be deemed acceptable in any environment. Remember the atrocities that are perpetrated in other parts of the world based purely on one group’s perspective that they have a greater claim to a particular country than others. Let us all learn from and not repeat the mistakes of the past, especially when the negative effects of others’ xenophobic actions are so easy to discern.

President Ramaphosa, many years ago President Mandela identified you as the man he wanted to succeed him; please Sir, don’t let President Mandela down. Don’t forget the promises you made to the people in south African country who elected you to the highest office. Keep taking decisive steps to direct them on a path of growth. Eradicate from all aspects of government those people who have decided that the South African Government’s coffers are their own personal bank account. Allow only people who have your same deep-seated desire to see South Africa succeed, to work with you. Look upon all South Africans as shareholders in the business of this country, and work to maximise their potential returns, not only in the short-term, but well into the future.

There is no doubt South Africa is beautiful country. There is great scenic beauty, enviable opportunities to enjoy animals in their natural environment, wonderful beaches and friendly people. Yes, there are problems, but working together we can solve them. Where else in the world can you buy everything from a drink to a sunshade and a pumice stone whilst waiting for the robot to change colour? And incidentally, where else in the world are the traffic lights referred to as robots?  Fighting  Nigerians or other African nationals with the reason been increase in crime rate in your country due to may Africans, then I doubt your reason. As a Ghanaian,  I know for sure I can move to any African country without visa required. But I can't come to south Africa without a visa. Is south Africa not an African country? It baffles me as to why a fellow African would need visa to south Africa whereas the whites(europeans, Americans & Asians) come comfortably gallivant around the streets of south Africa without visa. I see it as a great disrespect for our African leaders who fought for Pan Africanism. Before I end this,  I must say South Africa as an African country is a great disappointment to the entire African continent.