Roxilla

After all the arguments and upsets regarding an abhorrent racist blog ZA Hell (no link love for them!), and whether getting them banned would do much good or just ignoring them and not adding fuel to their sick fire is the best option, I was so happy to see that local bloggers have turned the tables around with a series of posts on why this country is still one of the best places in the world, warts and all…

Cheap Thrills kicked things off, then Guy Mclaren and Caz kept it going… now it’s become a very special, very important meme of sorts.

If you believe in South Africa, and want to make a stand against the racist, negative and damaging crap that ZA Hell is spreading, then join the local blogisphere and spread the local love…

Here’s how it works:

1. Link back to the meme creator (Caz)
2. Link to the person who tagged you (me)
3. Link back to the originator of the positive SA blog movement (Cheap Thrills)
4. Give 5 reasons why you love SA
5. Tag at least 5 people

Why I Love South Africa

1. The spaces
Nowhere else can you find a thriving city, a mountain, pristine beaches, wild animals on the hills overlooking the highways, vast stretches of lands, stunning wild flowers running for miles and miles on end, blue blue skies, forests, game reserves, tiny coastal towns in a time warp, almost every type of plant life conceivable, wild rivers, caves, hectic cloud formations, rainbows, breathtaking sunsets and sunrises and so many other wonders and scenic marvels.

2. The people
We have the most diverse culture imaginable, and so much to learn from each one. We are slowly becoming a new culture, with influences drawn from each of the existing ones. Our language is rich, colourful and satisfying, and it speaks for every one of us, regardless of our colour or native tongue. We take slang to a whole new level, and communication has become something that connects us all. On an average morning when I walk down Long Street, I see and greet a myriad of people… construction workers, street kids, vendors lugging their stuff to Greenmarket Square, business people and shop owners, tourists and many, many others. All of them share one thing – they all know how to smile and greet.

3. The entertainment
We have Springbok Nude Girls, Freshlyground, Miriam Makeba, Protoculture, Johhny Clegg and many many other super stars. We have a kak soccer team maybe, but our rugby guys have won us 2 world cups. We have Natalie Du Toit showing the world what can be done. We have some of the best restaurants and cuisine in the world, which draws tourists from all corners of the globe. We have loads and loads of awesome bars, pubs, balcony bars, sidewalk cafes, nightclubs and entertainment venues, and no-one can party like a South African!

4. The adventures
We have some of the world’s top attractions, like bungee jumping at Blou Krans, shark cage diving at Hermanus, abseiling off Table Mountain, awesome hiking and walking trails, some of the best surf spots in the world, the cable car, many amazing game reserves (a lot of them hosting the Big 5), world class shopping, world famous hotels, beautiful beaches, and many other things that tourists pay a lot of money to come and see.

5. The vibe
There is nothing like being on a balcony on a hot sunny afternoon, with a cold Black Label, some good mates and some good music. Likewise, having breakfast at a sidewalk cafe on a Sunday morning, watching people doing their thing, or being out on Long Street on a Friday night. South Africa has an energy, and at the same time a sense of laid back calm. There is always something happening, especially in the city, and above all, no matter how things freak us out, we never lose our sense of humor and our sense of hope.

I tag 302, Dolce, DT, Louisa and Chris… but anyone who has a blog should take this tag and run with it.

Oh and I have started a Proudly SA category, and plan on doing at least one positive post each week.