Madam –
I am so glad that I have lived, in a generation where we enjoyed our childhood before becoming teenagers and finally adults!
Unlike this present generation, some barely come out of childhood then they are catapulted into adulthood, completely missing the joys and innocence of childhood and learning important life lessons during puberty.
I have lived before technology came and robbed us of the basic values of life, where we respected all races and religions.
I have lived before the senseless bombing and murdering of innocent people only because of a difference in religious beliefs! Yes I have lived listening to radio India squeaking and squalling via makeshift aerials balancing on long poles in the yard!
I have lived listening to Springbok Radio with my siblings straining our ears to hear the outcome of “consider your verdict” or “Squad cars”.
Yes, I have lived when our Welcome Dover coal stoves cooked our mielie-rice, tin fish curry, phutu pap or roti and warmed our homes and hearts!
I have lived when the whole community was invited to a wedding, held in the yard of the bride or groom (ironically, most of those weddings are now celebrating their gold or silver jubilees) I have lived at a time when all adults where addressed as either uncle or auntie.
I have lived when gay was just a word we seldom used to describe a mood or feeling. I have lived in a time where we did not walk to exercise our bodies, but when walking was a way of life, and diabetes, blood pressure and angina where sicknesses for the very old and feeble!
We walked and enjoyed nature, greeted friends and neighbors along the way, admired the flowers and even plucked fruit from trees that overhung their branches across walls and fences.
I have lived when we were only scared of dogs by day and “ghosts” by night, but never of fellow humans! I have lived when practically the whole community packed their picnic baskets to attend a soccer match on a Sunday afternoon!
I have lived when youngsters were proud of their Zephyrs, Zodiacs, Pontiacs, or Datsun etc. cars! I have lived when pimple faced beautiful girls whore miniskirts and fringes and nobody raped them, or when we males were brave enough to pay them a compliment or whistle at them only to be rebuffed and told to “go tell your granny”!
I have lived and enjoyed the era when young men wore bell bottoms and silver or gold tipped high heeled shoes!
Yes I have lived in a time when the first three pages of this very paper had attractive news, not news of decayed and overflowing sewers! Yes, I have lived, and thank God I did!
Dave the brave
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