I have never been to South Africa, but it has been in the forefront of the world’s vision in recent weeks and so I have seen and heard a great deal as, during the 2010 football world cup, there were various documentaries on television about South Africa and of course, all the many football matches. We saw the ten vast stadiums built around the country especially for the world cup, and we heard of five star hotels and facilities for the players. Numbers vary but certainly hundreds of thousands of fans were accommodated and fed from all over the world. The whole event was ranked as a great success for the country but opinions vary depending which paper is read and what aspect is being discussed. There were the inevitable disappointments of and with the games/players but there was apparently little fighting amongst different countries’ supporters, no doubt at least, because of the presence of many ‘controllers’ out in force. Maybe, it was the mind dulling effect of the endless, raucous noise of the vuvuzelas. People of my generation can remember the evil regime of apartheid and so certainly many people rejoiced in this present day achievement of South Africa and the prestige the world cup was bringing to their country. However, there are people in South Africa for whom the world cup has brought and will bring little change to daily life despite the vast sums of money spent and in circulation. Apartheid may not exist as such, but many of these people are not free in the sense that we think of as ‘having freedom’. In one programme, we saw people living in shacks, in abject poverty, with no electricity, no running water and no sewage system. In the background, apparently only about a mile away, was one of the massive new stadiums. To say it looked incongruous is the understatement of the year! The stadium had floodlights and obviously must have had toilet facilities for the players and for those watching the matches. In other words, it was possible to provide electricity, running water and sewerage facilities for football fans but not for the local residents. Why could the organisers of these events, the ones in charge of building the venues i.e. the big boys of the world cup, not have extended the work at each of the stadiums at least 10-15 kilometres out to the people who lived in the surrounding countryside? Why could the builders not have replaced the shacks, for free, and brought running water, sewerage and electricity to these people? If they have or did, no one mentioned the fact, and certainly these poor people had not found out! Once the machinery and materials were in situ for building each stadium, it would have been a simple task to use it – just that bit extra - and cost very little in comparison to the vast sums spend for the stadiums. Whenever a task of that magnitude is tackled, there are always materials left over. But, that would have needed generosity, caring and good will! Real and lasting improvement to a few poor people’s lives could have happened. The whole experience would have left a legacy of some care and improvements, rather than ephemeral pride or pleasure. Estimates vary widely, but South Africa is said to have spent several billions to host the World Cup. If so, then they could find the money necessary to provide basic facilities for their people, and tablets for the relief of their large numbers of AIDS sufferers. Did these ‘organisers’ or members of the government never have a thought outside their greed, possible profit and bank accounts? There is a saying ‘Money is the root of all evil. I don’t agree as money can be used for great good. I would rather say, ‘The love of money is the root of all evil.’ There may not, thankfully, be apartheid in the present day, but these actions and similar for their poor members of society will have to happen before I shall believe that the ‘core values’ of South Africa’s government has really changed and its people are valued as they should be. My mother used to say, ‘what buys one thing can buy another’. I would say, ‘if you can buy one thing, then you can buy another’. It is all a matter of priorities. Another ‘quote’ from Mom was ‘you can’t take it with you’. Maybe those who run their lives for greed and profit don’t understand this, and think that their bank accounts travel with them! The only thing that will go with them is their ‘life’s actions’ and on those will depend their future eternity - their choice! In my poetry book for older readers ‘Daily Life’ ( see resource box) I have written this poem and I think its message is apt in this context so I will share it with you : False Beliefs As I was walking out one day I saw a man at prayer Kneeling under an oak tree He was totally unaware That nearby a little child Was crying - calling out 'Someone, please help me' His pitiful, mournful shout As I was walking out one day I heard a sudden noise Bells from a gold domed church Pealing out with single voice As the people all filed out They put coins upon a tray A child sat in the gutter 'I have eaten naught today' As I was walking out one day A cavalcade drove very fast Decision makers of the world Going to a rich repast I followed through the same route Shacks lined the streets ahead Children in abject poverty For them - only scraps of bread As I was walking out one day I saw two small girls at play I watched their kindness to a child Who just passed their way They noticed her and stopped As crippled - she could not walk They held her hands and sang to her Though she could not talk They were poor, it appeared They had nothing they could give With compassion, care and love They chose their lives to live Many would revile them for Their poverty and lowly state But when they reach heaven's door They will not have to wait 'Come in, you are very welcome' The girls would hear one day But - 'What happened to that child While you wasted time to pray?' 'The hunger of the poor We felt as you past you sped' 'A golden dome is pretty, but It does not need some bread' 'Down that corridor you must go The gate will not let you through It is not my choice but your own You had freedom what to do You were blind, you were deaf Your house was built on sand The foundations were faulty Your destiny was in your hand’ 'I gave prayers to God daily' ‘I worshipped at his knee’ Whatever you did - it doesn’t show And here your name I cannot see But – These children had no learning Yet within their heart and mind They felt the need of another They were - simply - very kind Poem and article are Copyright©A Coatesworth 2010
Article Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice
Dr Audrey Coatesworth is a retired english Consultant Psychiatrist, a wife, mother & grandmother. She has written poetry books,'Growing Up' ( on this website's bookshelf', 'Coping with Illness and Grief' - both for 7-13 yr, 'Choice for Teenagers' and a set of three for older readers, 'Daily Life', From Darkness to Light' and 'A Spiritual Journey'. All can be bought on www.audreycoatesworth.com Details and purchase of her first book, 'Beyond Mercy' -from www.buybeyondmercybook.com