Date: Friday, 2 September 2011
Time: 19h30 pm – 22h30 pm
Time: 19h30 pm – 22h30 pm
Venue: Camps Bay High School.
The tickets are R20-00 when Pre-Sold and R30-00 at the Door.
Above:
A group of Camps Bay Primary School Grade 4's pictured with the goods collected for DARG) and stationery for Morgenson Primary School in Hanover Park |
Above:
Camps Bay Preparatory School pupils in front of the RAK Trees. Left to right: Kimberly Mhlanga, Mia Gomes, Maria Philippides, Izzy Brook Owen, Micah van der Merwe, Michael Dykman |
Above: A High School teacher, Ms Sandy Parker, with a boot full of goods |
"A Dream Deferred...
Many people will agree that the moral fibre, unity, and sacrifices that were made during the struggle have been replaced by power struggles, greed, corruption, inefficiency, violence, crime and deadly games that surrender the poor and vulnerable, particularly children and youth, to a future that is beset with anger, disillusion, fear, insecurity, xenophobia, racial tension, and despair.
What hope is there when the courage, principles, and dreams of the people of the struggle are shattered in an abyss of disrespect for those that live in our country?
What is remarkable is that South Africa came together to pull off some stunning feats. The Rugby World Cup, the Soccer World Cup, the Cricket World Cup, efficient and peaceful Local and National Elections and a group of talented individuals built the necessary infrastructure and spirit to meet the needs of these events.
What is more remarkable is the spirit, peace and unity that these events created. Why?
I think it is because we could forget the rapes, the murders, the violence, corruption, our differences, bad leadership and feel the sun, have a glimpse of a proud future, care for each other and enjoy the unity and diversity of all nations. We could laugh and mix and take pride in our land. The promise is in all of us but we as citizens need to take back our power and say enough is enough - for our children and their children. And we need to act, each one of us and act now.
Why can South Africa produce spine tingling moments during these extraordinary events and not serve its people with the same ingenuity, efficiency, and care on an ordinary day to day basis.
Sure, the unholy days of Apartheid created many backlogs, inequities and disparities which will take several generations to remove.
There are phenomenal people in South Africa, young and old. The sad thing is that stalwarts like Oliver Tambo, Steve Biko, Helen Suzman, Chris Hani, Joe Slovo, Walter and Albertina Sisulu and recently Kadar Asmal are gone. They were our beacon of hope. The few leaders left like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu are ageing and their public life is coming to an end.
Where are the new leaders? And who are they?
We require it of ourselves to be a value-driven, creative, caring and principled society. If there is to be any hope for this country we have to take the time to examine the foundation on which we live our lives. The principles underlying the constitution will never come alive unless we raise our level of consciousness through respect, love of our neighbour, sharing, and appreciating the beautiful gifts that have been bestowed upon us. And doing such without any personal agenda but the love of doing it. Otherwise, the constitution of powerful words remains hollow and any plans we make will come to naught if not driven by common, upheld values.
It is our ego that gets in the way. We are driven by impulse, instant gratification, material possession and reaction.
This may all sound like pie-in-the-sky but I know deep in my heart that the world is tumbling and it is our time to shift and change, to understand why we are here, to give of ourselves to others and to harness all our creativity, principle, love and appreciation of all things that abound.
We are a nation that is angry, hurt, violent, disillusioned and mostly ungrateful for the abundance that surrounds us.
Have you ever seen a more exquisitely beautiful country?
It is no wonder that South Africa bleeds. Apartheid left many scars, deep hurt and anger, confusion, fear, and distorted thoughts. We have never dealt with all the anger, all the hurt and the racial divides.
It is time we deal with what is deep under the skin, confront each other with the past and the truth, be willing to risk a little and take the step of saying I am so, so sorry for what has passed and reach out to take each other’s hand."
Sithembele Lavisa (Grade 10)