2006: New Year/New Aspirations
Maria (Marina) Magdalena Gertruida Cronje has arrived in Washington, DC from Johannesburg--and yes, that is her name! She, along with her three teacher-companions from South Africa, will receive orientation information at meetings in Washington from Fulbright Program officials at the U.S. State Dept. On Wednesday, Jan. 4, they will be flying to their respective destinations in the United States: one goes to Philadelphia; another to Denver; the longest flight will end up in San Diego. Marina, of course, arrives in Flint, Michigan.
The newly designed South African Coat of Arms, a symbol that appears on official documents of the country, has as its motto: "Diverse People Unite." Interestingly, it is written in the Khoisan language.
The Khoisan people are the oldest known inhabitants of the land and serve as testimony to the common humanity and heritage of the South African peoples. Indeed, humankind began in the lands we now call South Africa and the "common humanity" reference goes beyond the peoples that claim the country as their national state.
On this day of renewal, which is noted for resolutions, it's a travesty that the world view of the new South Africa is not shared by the common humanity dwelling in other areas of our small world. The "Diverse People Unite" theme should be taken up by peoples in Iraq. Imagine an Iraqi nation that would be united--nevermind the religious differences and tribal bitterness that has led to so much bloodshed on their streets. Imagine our own United States without racial conflict and political feuding that prohibits our great nation from even greater achievements.
The new democracy of South Africa is not perfect--no democratic nation claims perfection. With a constitution that is a model for nations of the world to follow, the new South Africa has taken steps, albeit small steps, toward a unity of her diverse peoples that other nations and areas of the world can only dream about.
These musings, on the first day of 2006, are simply words and ideas expressed within an envelope of hopefullness. The opening of that envelope begins for me when the plane arrives in Johannesburg on Jan. 8. It will be a new beginning of a year full of promise...
The newly designed South African Coat of Arms, a symbol that appears on official documents of the country, has as its motto: "Diverse People Unite." Interestingly, it is written in the Khoisan language.
The Khoisan people are the oldest known inhabitants of the land and serve as testimony to the common humanity and heritage of the South African peoples. Indeed, humankind began in the lands we now call South Africa and the "common humanity" reference goes beyond the peoples that claim the country as their national state.
On this day of renewal, which is noted for resolutions, it's a travesty that the world view of the new South Africa is not shared by the common humanity dwelling in other areas of our small world. The "Diverse People Unite" theme should be taken up by peoples in Iraq. Imagine an Iraqi nation that would be united--nevermind the religious differences and tribal bitterness that has led to so much bloodshed on their streets. Imagine our own United States without racial conflict and political feuding that prohibits our great nation from even greater achievements.
The new democracy of South Africa is not perfect--no democratic nation claims perfection. With a constitution that is a model for nations of the world to follow, the new South Africa has taken steps, albeit small steps, toward a unity of her diverse peoples that other nations and areas of the world can only dream about.
These musings, on the first day of 2006, are simply words and ideas expressed within an envelope of hopefullness. The opening of that envelope begins for me when the plane arrives in Johannesburg on Jan. 8. It will be a new beginning of a year full of promise...
posted by JOBURG JOURNAL at 8:29 AM
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