Why do I love South Africa?

[Arnd Herrmann]

I love her for the perfection of her days
The crisp Karoo morning
The Joburg winter noon
The late summer Cape Town sunset
The star-filled Free State night

I love her for her people
For our warm smiles
For our resilience
For our I-am-because-we-are

I love her because she delights my senses
Highveld thunderbolts
Jacarandas in bloom
Sunday braais
African sun
Icy sea

I love her raw power, her intensity, her strength

I love her because of how she makes me feel
Sometimes angry, sometimes joyous
Sometimes fearful, sometimes love-filled
Sometimes frustrated, sometimes hopeful
Always alive

I love her because she intrigues me
And challenges me
The Chinese have a curse: "May you live in interesting times"
I see it as a blessing

I love her because she helps me keep things in perspective
By reminding me how privileged I am
Every day

I love her for being a microcosm of the world
A world in one country
For what we can teach the world
About compromise
And sharing
And forgiveness
And tolerance
And hope

I love her because she's imperfect
And full of opportunity
And potential unfulfilled

I love her because she has come so far
And has so much further to go
And whether we ever get there
Will all depend on us

I love her because she's been so good to me
And she inspires me to return the favour

I love her because she's my country
No matter what
I love her because she's my home
And where my soul is at rest

[funtobeaussiechick]

Hey friend, I still have a house in Kyalami. Have not sold. Been in Aus for nearly a year.
Stumbled on this by accident. Where in Kya are you?

[funtobeaussiechick]

Yes,Africa has that something special. Aus is safe and truly a wonderful place but nowhere on earth
can you compare the strength of South Africa. It feels strong and vibrant, so full of energy and life and beautiful
animals, people, coastline, houses. Spirit of Africa there is nothing like you and if you have not walked on African
soil you will never know what it is that makes it so special. Oh and not to forget the biltong, I really miss you man, and go away barbeque. Nothing beats Boerewors and good old SA Braai. Yes we have 'free' healthcare but I must be honest,we have tried the system here, it works, but you pay for your own medication even if you have private
health care and you wait for healthcare over here. SA doctors you rock, and SA nurses are so lovely and kind with beautiful smiling faces even though they have to endure long daily trips in taxis to their homes far away from their work. I ask of all South Africans if you can at all make this a mission to be kind to all the people you see grinding away such as the car park attendants, our nurses, gardeners and maids and anyone who works hard for a living, be kind to them, do not treat them with contempt or as lesser human beings than what you are because you are up on the ladder. Listen openly and be kind and smile. We have so much in SA which also includes crime unfortunately. But people, we really have fantastic people and this can change the course of SA forever. In Aus there is huge huge community support for everything. The public schools have huge fund raising events and parents really get
involved. Without this the schools would collapse as they are very very short of funding. Anyway, cannot wait to get back to you beautiful people of Africa to make a difference.

[Ian Macdonald]

Please credit me as author of this poem. For this and other stories about our remarkable nation, visit www.sagoodnews.co.za

[Arnd Herrmann]

I am really, really sorry: Please note that this awesome poem was written by Ian Mc Donald from SA, The Good News - my apologies, Ian

[Arnd Herrmann]

Sorry for the late reply - haven't been visiting my own website for a while....

I live in Kyalami Estates - and are looking to rent another house in Kyalami for our new offices, interested? :-)
funtobeaussiechick said:

Hey friend, I still have a house in Kyalami. Have not sold. Been in Aus for nearly a year.
Stumbled on this by accident. Where in Kya are you?

[funtobeaussiechick]

COMIN BACK MATE SO NO SORRY WILL NOT RENT OUT OUR HOUSE. JUST INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE YOU WERE.


Arnd Herrmann said:

Sorry for the late reply - haven't been visiting my own website for a while....

I live in Kyalami Estates - and are looking to rent another house in Kyalami for our new offices, interested? :-)
funtobeaussiechick said:

Hey friend, I still have a house in Kyalami. Have not sold. Been in Aus for nearly a year.
Stumbled on this by accident. Where in Kya are you?

[Sophie Masipa]

Hi Ian,

I came to this blog as someone else made a mistake and didn't credit you on it. Well you'll be pleased to know that I shared it today on SAFM (just the last three stanzas) with all the listeners out there. It resonated with the programme. Arnd, am glad I found this group. It is a fab idea and happy that you haven't lost your love for SA. hope you are enjoying Aussie and you know that you are always welcome here at home. Peace out!!

[Sophie Masipa]

Oh Oh...read this wrong. funtobeaussiechick - the last bit was for you

[funtobeaussiechick]

Sophie Masipa said:

Hi Ian,

I came to this blog as someone else made a mistake and didn't credit you on it. Well you'll be pleased to know that I shared it today on SAFM (just the last three stanzas) with all the listeners out there. It resonated with the programme. Arnd, am glad I found this group. It is a fab idea and happy that you haven't lost your love for SA. hope you are enjoying Aussie and you know that you are always welcome here at home. Peace out!!

Saffas, Aussie is wonderfully safe but oh my gosh just talking today to some South Africans on the telephone well in the workplace you are so much friendlier, what is it about SA people that makes them so special. They have this empathy with the whole human race and also the animal kingdom which makes a huge difference. Doctors rooms are a good example as are most ladies working at the tills in our shops. Words like darling and thankyou big smiles and genuine human type behaviour. Seriaas. There are some nice Aussies but even my husband says Aussie chicks you are not as beautiful as home grown SA chicks. He aslo says nurses are unkind and rushed. Although going to the dentist I found the young dentists very nice and understanding but then they had been to Africa and were touched by it.
Bogan cars, Bogan clothes, Bogan hair. Check out the site www.bogan.com.au No really there are some very nice Aussie people who I adore and they are my special friends. Ah but to be greeted in the street by your local maid, how refreshing and honest. Not here mate.