Do South Africans care enough to make that difference?

Last year at the Make Roads Safe conference was the first time I listened to an address by Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu. He made a remark that I have taken to heart, and I quote: “God did not create a perfect world – he wanted us to be part of making it perfect”. Shortly after the conference I reflected on this in a blog post titled “South Africans helping South Africans out”. This was aimed at emphasizing the need for us all to “pay it forward” and contribute to the well-being of other South Africans.

Earlier today I shared a few emails with a representative from the Movement for Good and was once more reminded of the story written last year. This campaign is managed by Brand South Africa and will involve all South Africans in an effort to collectively create the South Africa that we all want.

The past 12 months was a rather challenging time for South Africans and for Brand South Africa. We have felt the impact of economical pressures through rising petrol prices and interest rates and witnessed both trouble on our northern borders and xenophobia within South Africa. Where we should be looking forward to reconciliation, progress and moving on from the past to a more unified South Africa, we have been reading about bad news and investigation after investigation, enquiry after enquiry…

Why don’t we read more about the good stories – about South Africans helping South Africans? Some say that only sensationalism and blood sells the papers – but I wish to disagree. We are all in need of the teary eye ever so often – a truly good story such as a South African World Cup Victory – or even just the small ‘Reach for a Dream” boy walking unto the pitch and having his dream fulfilled.

What can be achieved if each South African decides to support at least one good cause? I believe exactly that South Africa that we all want to live in! To make that difference does not require wealth – it can be a contribution of time, talent and effort.

And what do we expect in return – and should we even expect something in return? I would like to refer to such a helping hand [or feet] to be extended for charity in July and which is highlighted on the website of Extramilecharity.co.za. The answer should be “ Zills, nada, zero….except for a warm fuzzy feeling in your stomach that you have made a difference in another persons’ life!”

May we as South Africans care enough to make that difference every day – to help our fellow South Africans – and may we be blessed with that warm fuzzy feeling that we are all South Africans contributing and making South Africa more perfect!