To do or not to do
Daily
commuting is met with various encounters and experiences. The world of a Metrobus commuter does not come without
interesting occurrences. For instance, the post-lunchtime drive is filled with
high school pupils. In their multiple squads they dominate the narrow aisles
whilst thumping sounds from their “walky-typies”. From their lingering
conversations it becomes clear that it’s a “boys versus girls” quest with much
“he said, she said” squabbles… just another entertaining ride after a long
day’s work. In the still of the moving bus, groups of school children exchange
their round brownies for ama-kip-kip and
icy treats at most intersection corners. On their backs are identical Karrimor bags that uniform every passing
school child. Well, one does have a good chuckle of the hysteria that surrounds
the blooming adolescents; and of course with accompanying occasional “goories”
(fights) fuelled by sapling egos…all in a day’s twenty-minute trip from campus
to home.
In all the mentioned
encounters and experiences, one thing remains solid and constant; no race seems
to play a part amongst the school children and no “goories” are intentionally
motivated by racial differentiation. Instead, it is a simple reality of integrated
experiences, the forever sung “rainbow nation”. Is this not what is supposed by
democracy and freedom?!
Well,
the answer to that question is always different with every individual as it is
supported by personal beliefs and experiences. It would be too hasty to expect
a society which was in constant conflict not to express any pessimism and
scepticism by those who experienced the realness of the nondemocratic South
Africa. However, it is unfortunate that the same scope of analysis is still
used to examine the social behaviours of young South Africans. It deems unfair
and inaccurate measures of understanding the youth. The emancipation–driven goals
of the youth in the 1970s are different to that of the modern-day youth;
although equally deserving of respect and importance in society. With reference
to the daily encounters of a commuter, the children analysed in that sense are
the reality of the new democratic South Africa, substantially reformed and with
issues and concerns fit for this day and age. Their concerns are now shaped by
21st century renditions of expression influenced with technology,
image, social integration and belonging to the socio-cultural fragments of the
global village. It is pivotal to note that current society does not exist
without shortcomings, thus the worth of democracy may be overshadowed.
A
brief survey was conducted at the University
of Johannesburg (UJ) in order to compare the views on whether or not the
behaviour of the youth ought to be viewed on the grounds of democracy as a
positive or negative factor. A politics lecturer at the Department of
Humanities stated that a stern change is prevalent between students that he
taught between the years 1998-2002 and 2005-2012. He stressed the point that
the variation was mostly on respect by stating that, “students in the late 90s
made us lecturers feel great and respected for our work here, but now it is
just a struggle of getting-by with ill-mannered and highly opinionated
individuals”. When asked about the influence of democracy in his social life,
Mzuphangalele Stamper (22) a student from (UJ) casually laughed and asked, “do
people even know what they mean by democracy?!” Naya, A pupil from the nearby
high school Voor En Toe expressed
that, “[she does]…not think about democracy because it means nothing… [to
her]”.
The survey revealed
varying views from three of the age groups in society. It suggests that a gap
of common conception exists when dealing with the topic of democracy. To the
older members of society, democracy is important and worth achieving whereas the
younger members show indifference toward democracy.
As
society is bound by facets of worldviews, the debate over the prevalence of
democracy and its influence or lack thereof on the current youth will always
produce multiple interpretations. Yet, an understanding of the basic notion of
democracy as freedom in unity ought to be reached across society to avoid the
vice that may occur due to conflicting stances.
Pictures
by:
WorldViewFeatures
www.Southafricaweb.co.za
Sources:
www.factmonster.com>World>Countries
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