As we head towards the path of prosperity as a community, I believe the best way of ensuring that we see development is to develop a new culture of being supportive. We need to alter the attitude of ignorance and actually begin to participate in activities that will bring forth visible change. When we become supportive of each other, we can get to see stars rising up from this unrecognised part of South Africa. From what I know, there are so many talented young people in this community who have the potential of shining – but only if they get the necessary support. These young possibilities need to be nurtured in different ways. Firstly, that support should come from their families. When the people who are around you every day believe in you and what you are doing, it must surely give one the courage to pursue your dream. Being supportive is not only about offering words of encouragement, however, it is rather about being physically there. It means attending a soccer match of the potential star or making an appearance at your child’s concert. These simple acts of being present at your loved one’s events serve as a bridge to connect parents and their children, especially in terms of the generation gap that so often leads to conflict. I have noticed how many young people disconnect from their parents due to misunderstandings between the two generations. The older generation expects things to be done as they were back then but the new generation seeks the liberty to do things in their own way. For example, the older generation still believes in the tradition of going to school, moving on to tertiary education, finding a well-paying job, buying a house and having a family, and that is it! The new generation, on the other hand, exists in a modern world of endless opportunities, meaning there are more options in life. Young people now have more choices than before, because there are now thousands of careers to be explored. One can also venture into business because there is a free market. Young people live in a creative age in which they can use their talents to make a living or make something of their gifts. If a person can run, for instance, they can pursue a career in athletics and actually compete internationally. The point that I am trying to make is that parents should not expect things to work as they did before technology. We now communicate in various ways, such as through social networks and, in this regard, there definitely needs to be some adjustment for the two generations to co-exist in peace. It is important for the older generation to understand that the new generation is living in a new world, where things are done differently. They should make a point of supporting young people in their endeavours; that is how we will grow as a community. We need more people that we can be proud of, in order to be proud of the community as a whole. Only by doing so, will we be able to put Merafong on the map.
