The Importance of Remaining Uncomfortable

Back home now, I have thought a lot about how I feel about South Africa at present. On the one hand, I am filled with pride, joy, and optimism about our country. Reflecting on Hashim Amla’s triple century, our successful hosting of the World Cup(s), the beautiful scenery, the great example of Nelson Mandela...it is sometimes easy for me to drive out the negativity of the day-to-day and meditate in a warm glow of positivity about our country. All of this inspiration, “I am an African”, a Mandela quote here, a Tutu quote there, waving my flag, thinking positive. It all makes for a very cathartic escape from the headlines I end up reading daily. Everything is going to be alright, surely? And I should pat myself on the back, because I am “a part of the solution”. Reminding myself regularly that there truly is “a solution” and the country is on the right track towards reaching it.

And then there’s the other side. There are horrific injustices we witness daily, violent crime, pervasive poverty, inequality, a health-care crisis, corruption, racism, and a colossal education budget which still fails to produce learners prepared for South African society. All of this leaves me feeling very uncomfortable. At this point, I can step back and listen to an inspirational quote, a happy Johnny Clegg song, anything to remind me that “it’s all going to be fine” and that our country is going to fulfil its incredible potential.

I fear that living in the “warm glow” might lead to a self-congratulatory sense of contentment and comfort. I often feel this way, before being jarred again by the harsh realities of this country. Ultimately, I need my doses of positivity and inspiration, to remind me of what we can do as a country and maintain a healthy state of mind. However, we need to remain uncomfortable because in the end, it really is not going to be alright unless we make a colossal effort. I cannot keep riding the wave of positivity from the previous generation of leaders; a wave that is slowly weakening as time passes. There is a lot to be proud of, to build on, but nothing can be achieved from a position of satisfaction and comfort. I need to keep shifting in my seat.