Proudly South African

When we are growing up in a country, being proudly 'anything' is not really a concept most younger people think about. It is definitely not something I thought about much, only maybe when the South African international rugby team, the 'Bokke' were playing.

It wasn't until I started my travels that this term started taking on a very different meaning for me. I never really knew what the South African culture truly was or appreciated our humor and accent until I lived abroad. I used to think that South Africa had many cultures within a larger culture, but this is far from the truth! The South African culture is one big beautiful dynamic culture and our blood is green and gold when it matters most.

There truly was no better feeling than when I flew home and saw the big open landscapes and mountains, heard the different South African languages and accents, and had a braai, biltong, or niknaks!

Honestly, I had never cared for our multi-cultural anthem until I lived in Thailand. When I heard it, it literally made me cry and more homesick than I had ever been. As much as I loved traveling and couldn't wait to leave, there was a part just as big that could never wait to come home and be with my people.

So whether you are shouting for the Bokke, chanting for Bafana, eating bunny chow, biltong, or milktart... whatever makes you South African... Be proud!

I hope you feel this feeling at least once in your life. It makes you humble and helps you truly appreciate your family and roots.

All my love

Chené