The Y Generation That Refuses To Extrapolate X


I was listening to the radio on Saturday and the newsreader quoted the stats around Voter Registration weekend. “There are about 11.2 million unregistered voters and 4.5 million of them say they do not intend to register”. I thought to myself: huh!, not interested to register to vote? As in, not interested to exercise your democratic right to select the next leader and president of YOUR COUNTRY?

The next thing that came to mind was, “is this the same generation that coined the woke hashtag? Do they know what it means to be an active and proactive citizen? Do they know how many of their peers around the world who are deprived of this right? Do they know the meaning of the word democracy? Do they know some countries consider themselves a democracy but are run by tyrants, who self-elect? Do they know what their parents sacrificed in order for them to be afforded the right to draw a cross on that ballot paper? I use the word ‘afforded’ because many lives were lost and destroyed for us to see the fruits of democracy, in a country with one of the best constitutions in the world.

My husband had this to say: “perhaps they haven’t identified the right political party to vote for”. To which I responded: “they should still register, the ballot paper hasn’t been finalized. There might be new entrants and participants registered by the time we head to the voting stations in May. Having said that, surely they can find a party to vote for, given the 563 registrations at the last count.”

One could argue and state the high unemployment rate among that age group, that perhaps they are disillusioned and gatvol (Afrikaans for “I’ve had it/I’ve had enough/enough is enough).  What is of main concern is that most of these subjects are relatively poor. Are they really going to place their future in the hands of others, those that might be better off, those that can actually afford to leave the country should shit hit the fan, or those that can afford private services and access to resources should a Tax Revolt take ground. Fact is, a tax revolt will mostly impact on the poor. My point is, the way to change and challenge the status quo is to be actively involved as a citizen, the only way to be heard is to speak. And the only way to be understood is to engage in meaningful and thought-provoking dialogue and that means being fully clued up about current affairs. If you don’t know what is going on in your own country how else are you going to hold your leaders accountable?

According to South African Citizens Survey, the subjects in discussion live in a major metropolitan area where there is (most likely) proper infrastructures that come with somewhat well-run facilities and services. Could we then conclude that they are content with the current state of affairs or are they in a comfort zone, or do they think they don’t deserve better? I ask because I know that much can be improved in this country. Imagine our potential if we elected ethical leaders who have a zero tolerance to corruption, nepotism and cronyism. Leaders who understand the true meaning of democracy: “rule by the people”, not “rule by a person/rule by a dynasty/rule by a tribe/rule by a clan” ……

My Humble Opinion: By refusing to register means you are passing up the opportunity to cast your vote and this disqualifies you from complaining about whomever gets elected to lead this country. Moreover, you waive your right to criticize the elected party and its policies. Your voice and opinions don’t matter. Don’t even think about organizing or partaking in that service delivery protest. Your generation is known as the ‘woke’ generation, at this rate, this word will soon be replaced with ‘drowse’.

“The government you elect is the government you deserve”
Thomas Jefferson

“The government others elect on your behalf is still the government you deserve”
Sonia Booth

Who’s Child Is It Anyway?


Last week saw #ntando & #JuniorDeRocka trending for days. “Papgeld” (loosely translated to porridge money) was the main issue at hand. With Ntando accusing Junior of a lack of maintenance.  Junior decided to clear his name by posting proof of payments he had deposited into her account for their daughter. These transfers amounted to over R21 000 in just 6 months. The next thing you know Ntando claims Junior was not spending quality time with their daughter, this was followed by accusations of physical abuse. Junior on the other hand accused Ntando of “falling pregnant deliberately”, reminding her how he pleaded with her to take the morning after pill. The keyboard warriors posted their opinions, with some suggesting Ntando lowers her standard of living, others accusing her of wanting to live the Instagram life (life of luxury in order to post and gain likes/popularity or as I would call it “Keeping Up With The Motsepe’s”) using papgeld.

Arguments ensued about the appropriate amount for child maintenance. Some said R3000 pm was more than enough whilst others took it upon themselves to calculate rent or bond repayments, car, fuel and insurance, groceries, medical aid, tuition fees, extra murals, clothing, entertainment, hair maintenance, holidays, the nanny’s salary and so on. The latter group of warriors were of the belief that their child deserved a high standard of living because the parents are celebrities. The former, insinuated that Ntando should be grateful he was contributing something, stating the number of dads who do a “slyza tsotsi” (absconds from parental duties or ‘run criminal run’).

My humble opinion: If both parties consent to sex then the contraceptive methods should be discussed and decided on by both parties and the conversation around conception should involve both parties. The parents are equally liable for child maintenance and together they must take responsibility to provide emotional and physical support to ensure a healthy, good-natured and well-rounded child. It is a different story if it discussed beforehand that one of the parents will be a ‘stay at home’ while the other ekes out a living and provides for the whole family. I strongly suggest a drawn up document that can be emailed from one address to another, a reminder of what was agreed upon. Important documents, arrangements and agreements should be drawn up from the onset as this might help avoid and hopefully prevent legal costs, lawsuits and litigation. Parenthood requires maturity of the highest order and level. Your personal needs and egos become secondary, co-parenting (whether as partners sharing a roof or whether separated/divorced) becomes priority. And on the subject of parenthood, you don’t have to physically give birth to share an opinion on how to or how not to raise a child. Tons of the keyboard warriors had the audacity to bark at the so-called barren, totally disregarding the fact that some dump their kids with the grandparents, siblings, relatives or refuse bins. Some were forced into parenthood, courtesy of the increase in child-headed homes.

Raising a child is a lifetime responsibility and commitment, raising a child is nie pap n’ vleis nie……pun intended.