by Sarah Duncan, 16 years old, Bergvliet High School
I am sure we can all say that South Africa is not a very well-run country, financially and opportunity-wise. This country has been corrupt and I am sure it still is.
I think when it comes to us as newly young adults, we think that our country is full of the best opportunities and we shouldn’t branch out of what we could potentially reach later on in life, but that’s not true.
I have always told myself that I would stay here in Cape Town, mainly because I don’t want to be away from my family. I wanted to study here, start my dream job and hopefully start my own family here but as I got older, what I thought I always wanted ended up being something I want to achieve in a different place/country.
I started to realise that South Africa doesn’t have the best options for me. The money isn’t great and I am sure many people are annoyed, disappointed and concerned. My parents have always encouraged me to work hard so I can have a better life than they had.
My dream is to be successful, and I know as young adults – especially myself – we don’t work as hard as we can to achieve what we want.
We expect everything we want to be handed to us. I want to be able to provide for myself and for my future.
Dreams, we sometimes think are out of reach, especially here in SA, but, there are things we can aim for and attain. With the right amount of inspiration and effort, we can achieve our dreams and make them a reality.
Coming back to South Africa and my thoughts about my “home”; my concern about this country is finance.
Our country needs money to support its people with infrastructure, education and accommodation to ensure we have the necessary needs in our everyday lives to support our families and ourselves, and to give the younger generation a chance at life and to make the most of it.
People are not being paid enough, and sooner or later, they won’t be able to provide for anyone or anything. Unemployment is critically high and crime is everywhere.
The cost of living is extremely high.
Most people struggle. School fees are expensive, and extra costs such as school uniforms aren’t included in those fees. Petrol prices are increasing every few months, and I don’t think anyone is happy about it. So much money is being given to the government and not enough is being done with it.
Poverty is another concern for me, and I hope there will be a day when someone will help those who need it most, and use the money for something good and make a purpose out of it.
I love my country, and plead with our leaders to join together and rebuild our beautiful nation. We can be stronger together.
* Sarah Duncan, 16 years old, Bergvliet High School.
* To Celebrate Youth Month, the Cape Argus invited youngsters in Cape Town to submit essays to the newspaper about their dreams, their vision and their hopes for the future.
After barely a trickle of submissions, our inboxes were filled once the word spread on social media. We have had youngsters from across the Cape Metropole sharing with us what they expect of those in charge and how they want to change things for the better in their communities.
The essays on this page have been chosen as the best, and each writer will receive a tablet computer courtesy of Double “O”.
Thank you to everyone who wrote to us. We encourage you to remain active, whether through the written word or participating in activities in your communities.
– The Cape Argus team