Picture: for illustration purposes
A unique perspective about hope for a better South Africa has been brought forward by Hardus Cloete, a respected Botanist and member of the Cape Youth Front. Cloete's writing presents a poignant picture of his growing-up years in South Africa, a land of diverse cultures. Yet, despite its vibrant heterogeneity commonly referred to as the ‘Rainbow Nation,’ he asserts, South Africa, unfortunately, misses a sense of stability, a shared history, and a common culture.
He shares striking insights about his travel abroad as a student. The ability to freely use public transport, speak a unified language, and move around a city safely were things he endeared and wished were true at home.
Despite South Africa's infrastructural framework of roads and railways connecting its cities to towns, and the widely spoken language, Afrikaans, Cloete contends it lacks efficiency and unity. Many people associate Afrikaans with past oppression.
Cloete expresses frustration at key issues plaguing his country - inadequate political representation, pervasive crime, negligence of historical buildings, and homeless citizens. However, he sees a beacon of hope in the potential independence of the Cape. This, according to Cloete, could be a game-changer which could prompt job creation, reduce crime, and reinstate national pride within the Cape's Afrikaans-speaking people.
Cloete concludes by affirming that the prospect of Cape Independence is within reach, and pleads with the citizens to vote for this transformative change. He anticipistically signs off by expressing his own commitment towards this cause.