Living in South Africa
This morning I had a conversation with a family member (South African-born) who now lives in Australia.
She was mortified at the turn of events on the political front in her birth country and did not know how to explain to her fellow Australians the story of how an alleged corrupt, seemingly unintelligent politician caused the fall of the president of this nation.
When someone who lives outside the country (even a family) criticises events here, I get a bit defensive. To the point where I defend our politics, even when it seemed indefensible to me. Never will I be able to defend Jacob Zuma and his cronies though! Just typing his name is enough to make me want to kick the cat, which I luckily don’t have!
I told my family member that regardless of how I felt about politics today, I think things will carry on, pretty much as usual. I told her regardless of that fact, I would probably not vote in the next election, or I would spoil my ballot, but I could never vote for Zuma, nor for any other current party.
My relative was shocked!
She was shocked that we could decide not to vote in South Africa, because in her adopted country you will get fined if you do not go to the polls on election day.
I told her that we live still live in a democracy in SA.
So after three days of feeling desolate, I saw a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
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