By Martin Slabbert*
Last year was arguably one of the toughest years for everybody. Far too many people lost their lives in events that could have been avoided. Hatred and discrimination was the order of the day. Economies battled, dams dried up, prices soared. I was very happy to mark the end of what was a rather crappy year, which on a personal note ended for me with the death of a colleague who died during a home invasion.
But as horrible as 2016 might have been, I believe that 2017 holds the potential to be spectacular. It depends on you and me, dear reader.
Stop crying about the election of a despot, wherever you may call home.
Instead, roll up your sleeves and get involved with civil society groups and others who defend democracy and freedom of speech.
Stop waiting for the police to solve crime all on their own. Instead, speak up when you see crime in your street. Say no to corruption, support your community safety programs, and make sure that you look out for the safety of the people living next door to you.
Stop worrying about walls being built between countries, between peoples, and between groups of whatever persuasion. Instead, get to know your fellow man (or woman). You might just actually like them.
My wish for 2017 is a year in which we stop buying into the rhetoric of ‘us and them’. This is our planet, this is our future, and it is up to us. Let’s break down those borders that divide us.
- Martin Slabbert is a media and communications practitioner in Cape Town, and freelance broadcast news anchor.
