identity crisis

What is identity? Is it the place a person is from, their skin colour or their religion? Is it the language they speak or the clothes they wear that? Are they born with an identity or is it acquired? The truth is that no one thing truly makes up an identity. Each person has their own identity and it cannot be stolen or removed. A person’s identity is developed and because no two people are exactly the same, each person has their own identity which comes from their ability to think freely and make rational choices. Identity is an ever-changing concept. We are all shaped by our histories and the contexts in which we live. We treasure our identity; but each of us is also unique, with a unique perspective on the world. Each of us has the capacity to decide for ourselves what we believe and what we value.

As a South African our identity is one which has changed through imperialism and it is one that has changed through apartheid and it is one which will continue changing in order for us as a people to move forward. This topic will invariably take you back to that day in 1994 at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as South Africa's first democratically elected President, when he stated that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. Our need to belong is real and important. South Africans are, increasingly, choosing to value each other by what can only be described as the content of our characters, not the colour of our skins. We are choosing to come together on a platform of shared values – integrity, fairness, service, tolerance, the quest for excellence. All of these override the things that separate us to us all. I believe that most people in South Africa are trying hard to work and live in harmony with one another and move on from the injustice of Apartheid. From the ruins of a racially polarised order, we have built a nation driven by a strong commitment to the values of justice and equality. We recall the wise words of our icon, Oliver Reginald Tambo who said:

(2)“It is our responsibility to break down barriers of division and create a country where there will be neither whites nor blacks, just South Africans, free and united in diversity.”
This powerful vision can be achieved, in line with the preamble of our Constitution which states clearly that: “South Africa belongs to all those who live in it.”

South Africa is seen by many as a land of opportunity and new beginnings. I consider myself a South African and indeed an African because I was born and raised here. it is important for all those who live in south Africa to respect each other. We must stop labelling each other by ethnicity. We need to demonstrate tolerance of diversity and culture. Although we come from opposing ideological and cultural backgrounds, there is a need for continued dialogue on the future of South-Africa and its people. So as long as we continue with the dialogue that we have already begun, our future is then in our hands. Isn’t it time that we normalize and treat each other equally? Our role remains solidly as that of creating unity and harmony amongst the people of the country, and ensures that we all collectively combat the injustices and inequalities created by colonialism and Apartheid.