BORED WITH YOUR HUMBUG EXISTENCE?
COME UBUNTU WITH US
1st Christmas Message to South African Expat Architects from the AAC
If you left ten years ago to find a life in another country and sometimes ponder on the wisdom of the exodus, there is something that you should know: the country that you left no longer exists. In its place you will find a new African nation, a different South Africa: one which is not bankrupt, dysfunctional or at war with itself.
We have different problems, it is true, but we also have an economy that cooks at around 6% annual growth. Which is seven up on what you remember.
Had you stayed you would today be a different South African - a different person, a different architect. For one thing, you would be an incredibly busy architect …
The building industry continues to grow at an unprecedented pace from small scale residential alterations to majestic civic works: there is work for all across the broad spectrum of the building industry. The building professions have not been this busy in more than thirty years : there is a critical shortage of both architects and architectural personnel.
South Africa, and Gauteng in particular, has become Sub-Saharan Africa's political and economic powerhouse; the financial hub of this continent. South African architects now run projects across Africa frequently in close association with other African partners and global interest groups. It's happening … believe it.
Our borders have fallen and Africa is geographically one with South Africa. Our Trade reach has expanded all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a different time and a different place: it is a time of growth and expansion - a time of great opportunity.
The ANC government, warts and all, has done an admirable job of not only containing a civil war but also setting firm foundations for racial consolidation and economic growth. No more could be asked from a government. They have done their bit.
But the People lag behind.
Freedom stunned most of the country into passive oblivion for around five years. Those were hard years, difficult times. In the last five years the changes have kicked into high gear and despite what many say about the "slow" rate of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) you will now find an affluent and influential Black Middle Class in our cities and many towns. The poor are still poor, and probably will always be, but they now have better sanitation, electricity, clinics and schools.
It is true that our country is beset by problems like rape, murder, plunder, corruption, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Chronic poverty and primitive thinking is at the root of these problems so they are not likely to go away just yet. But at the end of the day we are still safer than your average American, Brit or Australian, seen as we don't dress up our children for war and send them off to steal oil from the Arabs.
For this Nation, and Africa, to move forward it will require a change in the People's Mindset: less must be expected from the State and more must be demanded from Self and Community. There are now distinct indications that this is starting to happen.
We're an international country now, not a laager. We have broader vision too, so we like Palestinians, Syrians and Iranians, who we consider to be our friends and of greater cultural, political and economic significance than the tired old bullies from the West.
We now have strong links with South America, India and the greater Orient. By opening new trade with the People's Republic of China and acknowledging Taiwan as a province of that country (remember how Israel and Taiwan were Apartheid South Africa's staunchest allies?) we have been able to cut off many links with exploitative Western global concerns that dominated the Apartheid economy so now things are cheaper and often better. We like our new Oriental friends although I suspect that they have a tough time getting used to us.
Did I mention 0% inflation? There is now a concern that we might be going into "negative" inflation - whatever that is.
Because hundreds of thousands of you left South Africa over the last ten years - and some of you with very good reason - the country now suffers a shortage of skilled personnel: the building industry is no exception. It would be nice for us if some of you came back. It would be better if all of you came back.
There is a vacuum and it will be filled, sooner rather than later. If you are thinking of making the homecoming move, this is the moment.
Unlike the trumpet blowing initiatives like the Homecoming Revolution, we advise
caution and clear thinking. Home Coming is a very personal and circumstantial and only you can make that call.
Coming Home is for people with guts and determination, for fearless and hard working individuals and families who embrace challenges and believe in ubuntu.
Coming Home is for special people only, for only special people deserve a place in the wildest and most beautiful of all the Lands.
Happi Happi.
Source:
ArchiNET
Africa
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