Questions of becoming have lingered on my mind for a long
period of time. As a young South African, these questions have prompted me to
look at what is happening around me; locally and internationally. ‘What is our
situation as black South Africans?’ I have continually asked myself.
In South Africa we have inherited a rich and diverse
history. Part of this history is intertwined with issues of colonial conquest
and an oppression of the black people. The current political setups,
spearheaded by the ANC-led government, are engaged in attempts at redressing
the many imbalances of the past, and ultimately bring about transformation. A
daunting task if you ask me! This envisioned transformation is expressed
differently, depending on political affiliation or conviction. There are those
who have gone to great lengths to expand on this notion of transformation, how
it ought to be brought about, how it lacks, how it can be fast-tracked, etc.
All do agree however, that transformation is needed.
Looking at transformation at the individual level, I am of
the opinion that the best place for it to be effected is the mind. Our minds
need to be transformed. This transformation is a step in the right direction as
we forge an all-inclusive South African identity, as we shape a collective
future for all South Africans; both black and white. In forging this identity
and common future we need to liberate ourselves of the past. This liberation is
an intricate process. For any previously oppressed group of people to be
liberated they need to be at the forefront of their liberation; they need to
navigate carefully in both the political and socio-economic environments. This
then further compels us as young black South Africans to stand up for
ourselves, to become active within the systems that are put in place to bring
about transformation.
Moreover, as a young person committed to positive change in
the country, I believe that through reflection we are able to take the
necessary steps towards the transformation of our minds. Our socialization, and
the environment in which that socialization takes place, have an impact on this
transformation. One of the most important elements of this socialization in
post-apartheid South Africa is the education system’s quality deliveries of
skills that help young people navigate the socio-political landscape. Based on
the assumption that delivering quality education to society has positive
returns in the long run it then follows that thinking deeply upon our situation
as young South Africans is key.
Having touched on the transformation of the mind and the
link it has with education, it is necessary to stress synergy of the various
education departments, society and other relevant stakeholders in ensuring a
quality education. Overcoming the various challenges within our education
system so that it ultimately contributes towards the transformation of the mind
should be stressed beyond being solely the government’s responsibility.
Societies need to seek means that will help transform them; and where these
means do not exist society should help create them. This can be done through
social movements or social clubs. The private sector should play a more
meaningful role in ensuring a quality education. After all, it is also a
beneficiary of the schooling system.
One possible avenue where the private sector, working with
communities, could champion a cause in this regard is that of reading clubs. I
have been part of reading clubs for children aged 4-10 years old. These reading
clubs are a fun and learning environment outside conventional school. They
bring parents, teachers, the young and the old a chance to come together to
read, write, sing, play and dance together. They further allow children a
chance to grasp the use of an additional language outside the school
environment. The Annual National Assessment (ANA) results of 2012 show moderate
progress when compared with the previous year. This should encourage us further
in continuing with initiatives such as this one. One thing about reading clubs
is that it only takes one adult, 3-5 young children, and a great story book to
get you going! The boost in confidence on the part of the children that attend
is plain to see; their spelling has improved and so has their behavior- I dare
not leave out the countless smiles they have put on my face. The seeds of the
love for reading and writing sown in these children will serve to liberate our
minds and strengthen our democracy.
Ironically in South Africa, there is a general level of apathy towards the
democratic process as a result of service delivery issues amongst others.
So then, what does this mean for us as young people? The
most important consideration is the emphasis on education. Considering that higher
education remains highly inaccessible to the majority of black people we need
to find various means to get our societies educated and skilled. Without these
there is not much we can do to change the status quo and contribute to society
at large. We need to inspire young people to take an active role in the advancement
of liberation.
