I like to talk. I like to read. I am opinionated. People get tired of my opinions, so here I am. Blogging.
I plan to write about everything. From silly stuff to politics. From sports to celebrities. Basically I plan to tackle everything that's happening here and abroad and place my opinion on those matters. I will write about my home country South Africa and I will write about my stay and experiences in Brazil next year (2014). I will not always write in English. Kwazise phela ngingumZulu.
I will welcome constructive criticism. I will accept insults and I would be humbled by praise. Unlike constructive criticism, praise and insults will have a minimum impact on my writings. Please note this blog's purpose is not to seek enemies or to seek cyber fame. Its purpose is to express. Purely to express.
Expression is the most important 'right' of them all. Freedom of expression was the motivator of the American revolution. Expression is one of the main reasons why Apartheid was challenged.
Expression is why some hate communism. Expression is why most prefer democracy. The hunger for freedom of expression is the reason behind the recent Egyptian revolution. Its thirst led to the Libyan revolution.
Libya was arguably a rich African country. The Gaddafi government made significant improvements. Muamar Gaddafi took a country that was 10% literate and 90% illiterate and during his tenure Libya saw a drastic change. As I write today Libya is 90% literate. His government saw that education was free from pre-school to PhD, this is what most countries can only dream of. Libya had zero foreign debt. The life expectancy for males was sitting at age 72 and 77 for females, South Africa still dreams of this. Healthcare, access to health care and water was of top standard. Basically the standard of living was very high.
However, little expression by the 'common' people ever made it to the leadership. The media was censored. Social media was closely guarded, the people had no voice. Although 'representation' measures were taken, they proved to be inactive. Risky 'western' shows were not broadcasted. TV was used to promote the 'good' work of Gaddafi. Propaganda was in full swing.
The Gaddafi government thought that by disabling the voices of the people and blinding them through propaganda media, the people will not seek 'western democracy' and they will not seek western possessions. This proved to be a disadvantage for the Gaddafi government. Although the government worked and delivered for its people, the most important service to the people, freedom of expression was not granted to them.
Western (America and the EU) opportunists used this Gaddafi flaw and highlighted the importance of expression to the rebels and the revolution ensued. Killing thousands of innocent civilians, the country suffered. Multi-national companies moved out. Large industries suffered. The economy was drained. The people were determined to fight for their voices. They had been kept quiet far too long and this needed to change, they decided. In the end Gaddafi was assassinated. The rebels tasted victory. Of course western countries chipped in to assist, note Libya has oil, a lot of it. Did the western countries assist without expecting anything in return? You decide.
My opinion :
If Gaddafi had granted people a voice.
1. Libya would have been a super-power.
2. He would have died an African hero, a martyr and not a selfish dictator as the world put him out to be.
Expression is vital. We are fortunate enough to possess it. It is up to me and everyone to protect it. 'If it's to be, it is up to me'. Once we have it, then there is transparency, hence it would be difficult to have a revolution by the people against its own government. People let's guard our right to expression. It makes or breaks a country. Protection of this right is a prerequisite, it's existence is significant. But when practising this right, one should always do so with common sense.
Nkosikhona Raphael Duma
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