This is a guest post from expensivemistakescheapthrills.
After the misery of lurking on that seriously negative site yesterday (Za Sucks – I refuse to link to them any more than I already have) I decided that it’s time for a bit of positivity.
Let’s look at what we have to be grateful for in this country – (I had to limit it to 10 – there are SO many!)
1. South African paralympic team won 24 medals in Beijing. Out of those 27 medals, 17 were gold. Natalie Du Toit won 5 gold medals alone, from the five events she competed in.
2. Our national symbols are cool and they really stand for something -
- national flag: The national flag was embraced on Freedom Day on the 27 April 1994, and first flown 10 May 1994, the day Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president – the day we celebrate as the Birth of Democracy in our country.
The central design of the flag, beginning at the flag-pole in a V form and flowing into a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the flag, is to be interpreted as the convergence of completely unique and diverse elements within our society, taking the road ahead in unity. From exclusivity, to 
inclusivity. Beautiful, isn’t it? Much better than this old one, which just screams division and separateness.
- The National Coat of Arms: The focal image is a secretary bird with uplifted wings, a sun rising above it. Below the bird is the protea, an indigenous South African flower, representing the gratifying harmony of all cultures and the country flowering as a nation.
The ears of wheat are symbolise the fertility of the land – the ability to feed a nation, and grow a nation, while the tusks of the African elephant symbolise wisdom, steadfastness and strength.It also symbolises remembrance. While an elephant never forgets, so too must we never forget our past and must carry the memory into the future.
At the centre stands a shield emphasizing the protection of South Africans, above which are a spear and knobkierie. These assert the defence of peace rather than a posture of war.
Within the shield are representations of the Khoisan people, the first inhabitants of the land. The figures are derived from images on the Linton Stone, a world-famous example of South African rock art. The motto of the coat of arms – !ke e:/xarra//ke – is in the Khoisan language of the /Xam people, and means “diverse people unite“, or “people who are different joining together“. (isn’t that just awesome?)
- Our national animal – the Springbok - the country’s national animal gives its name to the South African rugby team – fondly (and sometimes not so fondly) known as the Boks. The springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) gets its name from its characteristic jumping display – pronk in Afrikaans. The animal stands 75cm high and weigh about 40kg.
-National flower – The giant or king protea (Protea cynaroides) is flourishes in the south-western and southern areas of the Western Cape, from the Cedarberg up to just east of Grah
amstown. South Africa’s national flower is the largest of the proteas, which make up an important part of the Cape Floral Region, a major global biodiversity hotspot and a Unesco World Heritage site. The proteas also give their name to South Africa’s national cricket team.
3. South Africa is the cradle of humankind. On this soil is where we first stood on two feet, experimented with the uses of opposable thumbs, first used fire, and developed a primitive language consisting of grunts. How far we have come since then.
Even today, people come from all over the world to visit one of their early ancestors, Mrs Ples.
4. We are the host of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Yes, I believe this event WILL help South Africa shine. Stop with the negativity already, and let us just work on this one. There are some awesome things lined up for 2010, one of the most beautiful is this stadium planned for my home town Durban.
Benefits of hosting the 2010 World Cup?
It has been estimated that this World Cup will create around 129 000 jobs, add about R21-billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generate another R7.2-billion in government taxes, with around 350 000 soccer-mad-visitors expected to spend some R9.8-billion in the country during the tournament. Wow, that’s a big wad of cash, if you ask me.
But most important of all are the indirect spin-offs from improved perceptions abroad which can only have an even greater, longer-lasting impact, not only on South Africa and its development but on the continent as an entirety. A successful World Cup can help change perceptions of Africa, and attract a number of vital foreign investors.
5. Our country is beautiful, and we are so lucky to have it all. We have sandy, sunny beaches. Sub-tropical forests, mountains, deserts and wide rivers, wet lands, highveld, waterfalls, gorgeous wildlife, and wonderful and weird plant life.
6. We have eleven official languages. Count ‘em. That’s a whole lot of communication going on. And I plan for my son to learn as much of it as he can. No other country in the world can boast so many official languages. Isn’t it amazing?
7. We have awesome people proud to be South Africans. Nelson Mandela, and Charlize Theron. We have Tanya van Graan Ryk Neethling and Chris Barnard. We boast the world’s first heart transplant, and we have Miriam Makeba and Olive Schreiner. We have some of the finest. Dont let Jacob Zuma fool you into thinking that all South Africans are the devil incarnate.
8. We have the most progressive Constitution in the world. Nowhere else in the world are socio-economic rights entrenched in a Bill of Rights, which makes them enforceable against government. We have (despite recent controversy) freedom of speech, freedom of the media, and as Carte Blanche always says – ‘we have the right to see it all’. We have equal voting rights – men and women of all 
colours and creeds. And people died to give us all that opportunity to mark our ‘X’ and raise our voices.
9. We have biltong and boerewors, pap and vleis, curry and rice and samoosas and rotis and chakalaka. Melktert and koeksusters. Our food tastes are diverse, our available options are numerous. And th
e result is just delicious. And most important of all – we have the almighty braai. We have Black Label (despite the Laugh it Off laugh-riot about that) and Castle and Klippies and Cola. We have Richelieu and Johnny Walker, and we love them all at a braai, watching the rugby.
10. We have the right to complain. Ours is a participatory democracy, where things like petitions and public participation are vital in governmental decision-making. We have the right to demonstrate, march and toyi toyi. Where else in the world is this right protected by the Constitution?
But most important of all is that we are ALL South African. We all live here, love here, work here and die here. Despite the mass exodus, those of us who remain (for the large part) adore our country. We groan through the hard times, we bitch when our national team loses a game, but we pick ourselves up and try again.
That’s what I love about our country, and our people. We have patience, and determination. And one day, one day soon, all our hopes and dreams will be realised.
If we just work together.
Got three minutes to spare? Here’s why South Africa’s going to surprise you!
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September 17th, 2008 at 9:41 am
“But most important of all is that we are ALL South African. We all live here, love here, work here and die here. Despite the mass exodus, those of us who remain (for the large part) adore our country. We groan through the hard times, we bitch when our national team loses a game, but we pick ourselves up and try again.”
Jeewiszzzzz someone is in la-la land and ain’t got any observation faculties to observe REALITY!!!!
Good luck in la la land…
Lara Johnstones last blog post..Helium-Accounting + Ponzi-Derivatives + Pump & Dump + Fiat Currency = $&CFB Tsunami Eugenics Laboratory: #1: Global banks brace for derivative blow-up
September 17th, 2008 at 9:44 am
An appropriate comment to the BS nonsense propaganda brainwashing that this author writes and clearly believes that emanates from the South African Goverment is:
“What good fortune for governments, that the people do not think.”
Adolf Hitler
Lara Johnstones last blog post..$&CFB Tsunami Eugenics Lab’y: # 3: ThoughtFood: The Russian Roullette Dominoe Effect: The Ultimate Wall Street Nightmare…
September 17th, 2008 at 11:30 am
lara – the whole point of this exercise is to find the positive aspects of ‘reality’ and point them out.
i’m not living in la-la-land, as you say. I live in South Africa. Where things are shit sometimes (admittedly) but on the whole, it’s a gorgeous place to live.
why dispute that particular fact?
cheapthrillss last blog post..Would You Ever….
September 17th, 2008 at 11:31 am
oh, and propaganda brainwashing?
impressive, even if i do say so myself.
really think a list of 10 reasons to love SA is brainwashing material?
Oh okay, whatever you say!
cheapthrillss last blog post..Would You Ever….
September 17th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
It’s because of negative propaganda and attitudes like Lara’s that people lose sight of all the amazing things our country has to offer. And that’s why they leave.
Arkwifes last blog post..Current Addictions
September 18th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
you have your head firmly shoved up your ass with the cr@p on this site, you obviously live in a cave to not see that south africa does indeed suck.
say what you want since it is your time and site but stop trying to deny the truth
September 18th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Thanks “You Idiot” (didn’t think that one through). Appreciate the hits, thanks for coming and do return. Would love to have your thoughts on more of my writing.
Tool.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:38 am
“Cheapthrills” – we are all trying our utmost to find positive things; we are all aware of all of those 10 positive things you posted, but with respect it’s all a bit “flimsy”. A question to the “let’s make a difference” brigade – if the government sit back and refuse do anything thereis nothing, nothing we as ordinary citizens can do.
“Cheapthrills” – could you personally guarentee that crime will be eroded as a result of the WC? If you cannot, than how can you glibally say that we will definately have “spin-offs” from the WC. I am 100% behind the WC, but will wait until after July 2010 to comment and see the real benefits.
Don’t get me wrong – I commend you for trying to remind us of the positives, but please don’t think the negatives will just go away…..we need major support from government for this to happen; we cannot do it as ordinary citizens.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:43 am
Please stop brainwashing people who read this site. Your positives have the depth of a pancake. As ST points out, how can you say 2010 will definitely have “positive” results? In fact, judging by the incompetence of the police force, it will create negative perceptions because PEOPLE WILL BE MURDERED, RAPED and MUGGED.
Notice how your positives are very small compared to the serious issues like education, health, AA and BEE, Home Affairs and electricity supply. Take off your blinkers, it might help you to see the real South Africa.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for your comment whiteguy. Thanks for stopping by. Come again.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 am
@White_guy – It’s a real pity that you seem to have forgotten the state that this country was in just over 14 years ago.
We all sit in our brick homes, watching DSTV and surfing the web on our laptops living very glam lives compared to many in our country. But the proportion of us who can only but recently enjoy the benefits of these luxuries grow every year, but yet you knock the progress of this country!
We are far from perfect! We have very high crime rates, AIDS rates, etc etc.
But what about having a successful working tax system?
What about the amount of development happening in previously trashed areas?
In fact, you should be bloody grateful that we were even CONSIDERED for a world cup, because I think that you have forgotten the state of affairs of SA about a 2 decades ago!
HoTsTePPas last blog post..Thabo Mbeki officially resigns today!
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
People like white guy makes me feel like vomiting, not only because of their vomitous talk but because of their diabolical stupidity…and that sadly goes for most white people…they are just so fokkien dom ek se…and I am white myself !!
White moron…if you don’t like this country – FO !!!!
September 24th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Being negative achieves nothing – Thabo pointed this out in his exit speech. Everyone has the ability to choose how they react to events – and your reaction has a direct impact on your happiness. Why on earth would any poster here deliberately try to brainwash people?
Ewans last blog post..South African Politics – I say nothing
April 9th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
progress what progress? Yes i think your progress is more crime more black political bs ,less jobs(for all colours),criminals that rule in our parlemant,white people that get racially murdered then made out as a robbery progress! my white behind!you white hensoppers go to the new south africa site and see how you get undermined and murdered! stupid i dont think we are stupid its you thats ignorant of all the black BS frankie thats you
April 14th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Reading the comments from so many people both negative and positive is just one of the things that make this country great.
I am white… South African and Proud. I am trying my damndest to be positive about this country! The thing is, we as South Africans have the inate ability to blame others for our woes in life, work and play.
One CAN change your circumstances through how you behave. Instead of blaming everyone else, why not ask yourself, what can I do to make things right? It’s not about big stuff, but small things… Set up your own “Street watch”, assist the local SAP station as a reservist, become involved in your local community policing forum. Assist at your local hospital, coach less fortunate kids in a sport, the list is endless.
Only once we as individuals start to contibute positively, will we start to see change. Stop waiting for someone else to take charge. Get involved in being part of the solution and not be apathetic and compound the problem.
Finally, if you really can not contribute, then maybe you should go.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Mike,
People are not leaving because they do not want to contribute. They are leavinbg because their contributions end up in the dump.
You should be carefull of your suggestions on how to contribute as it sounds like you want to overthrough the government. Your contribution (tax) goes to the government and they should be providing these things. I just can not imagine why I should set-up my own “Street watch”, become a police reservist. You are kidding me, right?
September 10th, 2009 at 10:53 am
South Africa is the sociey of multi-culturalism. diversity, freedom and so on. i find it interesting that we all come with different perspectives and values. if someone loves soccer, rugby etc they deserve the opportunity to become their dreams.
October 11th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Dad poisoned the minds of his children with his irresponsible television viewing choices.
Among other things.
Dad is liked, so expect the intent was not there. However, I suspect the same cannot be said for his wife.
Case in point:::Neighbor’s driveway sidewalk chalk art consisted of a girl’s name, a smiley face, other innocent, child-like offerings.
In our driveway our kids drew body outlines, like those one would find at a murder scene.
And all his son spoke of was guns, hunting and killing.
The father’s irresponsibility was manifested in how the son spoke when he was younger. Just ask his former teachers.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Thanks for your comment whiteguy.
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August 31st, 2011 at 11:54 am
There is so much negativity in the comments. I don’t get people who would torture themselves with passionate hate. Imagine the entire South Africa population in great emotional depression? That would probably make the haters of this country happy.
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