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My country have a shameful past

My country have a shameful past and we have to live with the shame and guilt. South Africa have the painful history of Apartheid. I grew up through those years and now live in post Apartheid

South Africa.

“It is not our diversity which divides us; it is not our ethnicity, or religion or culture that divides us. Since we have achieved our freedom, there can only be one division amongst us: between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.” Nelson Mandela

Apartheid South Africa

It all started after the Anglo Boer between South Africans and Britain. Someone decided it would be a good idea to divide black and white South Africans by creating the Apartheid regime. According to some it was supposed to be equal opportunities for all – just separate. Then others came along and took it further and decided to make whites superior to blacks. What a mess! It was a disaster and inhumane. Thankfully Apartheid came to an end in 1991.

Post Apartheid South Africa

South Africans of all races came together and we transitioned from Apartheid to Democracy. No bloodbath or civil war. There were a few isolated incidences where violence did occurred – though it were sorted out quickly. It has now been more than 25 years after Apartheid came to an end. While we all mostly live together in peace and harmony there are some who have nostalgia of living in Apartheid South Africa and others who are bitter and resentful.

My country have a shameful past

For years I were so ashamed about what were done in this beautiful country – the guilt consumed me, even though I had no hand in the creating of Apartheid. I therefore shunned my race and my Afrikaner culture until a few years ago when I came to realise that it is possible to still celebrate my culture – folk dancing, cuisine, music, Voortrekker history. While balancing and acknowledging the wrong things that were done under the Afrikaner name. I can speak my native Afrikaans without infringing on the other 10 official South African languages.

I am South African and proud of my diverse country.