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The duality of South Africa - pride and shame in Mzansi
The Mercury
|August 13, 2025
SOUTH Africa is a glorious land abounding in natural beauty, diverse natural resources, and many other positive attributes generally.
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We have one of the biggest and thriving economies in Africa and world-acclaimed sportspersons such as Tatjana Smith and Pieter Coetzé (both in aquatics), and our Proteas under captain Temba Bavuma are Test cricket world champions. In addition, we have the world’s strongest man.
The Comrades Marathon and Midmar Mile are both local events with international renown, and people from all continents participate in such epic races. Some of our artists, such as Johnny Clegg (senior), Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Hugh Masekela, have international acclaim and fame.
All the foregoing makes one really proud to say that he/she is a proud South African.
Sadly, on the other hand, post-apartheid South Africa is a country of great shame. There are many reasons why this ignoble description is fitting. It is nothing short of a travesty and disgrace, and a great pity indeed that such shame prevails. It makes one quite ashamed, regrettably to say that one is a South African, especially in a cosmopolitan environment.
This is primarily due to various evils that bedevil us.
Below are miscellaneous examples that are our Achilles’ heel:
Denne historien er fra August 13, 2025-utgaven av The Mercury.
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