Entitlement…a South African Story
I keep hearing-"The government this, the government that”.
STOP IT ALREADY.

Listening to one of Gauteng’s youth (radio) stations after the minister of finance’s budget speech this year, I got sick to my stomach. Sickened by a young lady who phoned-in, particularly to complain about the child support grant.
The complaint! - Mr Manuel (the minister), is too inconsiderate.
Why? - Because he only increased the CSG by a mere R20
The young lady went on and on about how young/single mothers deserve more.

I acknowledge that poverty is still part of the South African picture. I also acknowledge that young mothers have the raw end of the deal and that their partners (baby daddies) should do a whole lot more in helping them raise the products of their actions.

But....

...I think by now every girl who is capable of getting ‘knocked-up’ should know that it takes a male to make a baby and a man to raise one.
I also think it takes two to tango but a lot of it is up to the lady. If women can use sex as a weapon, why the hell can’t they use it to their advantage?

This country might not have the best goverment system, a liked-by-many president or the prettiest history but it is certainly alive with good possibilities.

Black people are on a goldplated pedestal now more than ever. Black women are powerful and at the forefront of very serious movements and projects.

I honestly don't think our Deputy President-Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Wendy Luhabe or Oprah Winfrey got to the top by blaming everything on the government. It takes responsible thinking, bravery, sacrifice and hard work to get to a place of comfort unless if you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth. That's how we should start thinking SISTERS.

That brother you are trying to settle down with, who doesn't give you enough attention, he's not going to love you any better when there's a baby in the picture.

That grant the goverment gives out to young struggling mothers is not even enough to buy baby formula or nappies.

Two months ago an investigative-journalism-current-affairs programme did a whole hour on how CSG are being misused by young, single and black mothers. A lot of the young women interviewed admitted to using a large portion of the R180 to settle their personal needs (airtime, visiting the hair salon or even buying clothes).

They also admitted to knowing that falling pregnant was no option for them due to their economic status and the fact that most of them were still in high school and living with their unemployed parents. But guess what?! Not even that was enough to stop them from conceiving.

I stand to be corrected but I don't think it takes a few years in a tertiary institution or coming from a wealthy family or a rocket scientist to know that jumping in to the sack with someone without protection can result into one thing or another. No prizes for guessing what I'm on about!!!!

Being young and black has never been better, I just think people need to get out out of their comfort zones and start making a difference. To all the young women in the ghettoes- Pop a contraceptive pill, get an affirmative-action job, go to school, stay away from boys, use a condom or simply use your brain first and then your libido.

I am always sad to see toddlers (babies too) being neglected or treated like obstacles. Before falling pregnant- one needs to review their maturity, pocket, their partners bahavior and the state of HIV/Aids in Africa. For heavin's sake wouldn't you rather enjoy your life and make the best of it before you bring a whole human being into this world.

I have absolutely no beef with child support grants, I have no problems with young mothers and I also don't have a problem with people who make and stick to their choices.

It's a damn bitch when your mother has to give-up few of her comforts to accomodate your unplanned baby or a baby ends up neglected just bacause a young mother is not ready to give-up partying.

There's a lot be considered before getting preggers. Life-adjustments and being the best that you can be as a parent at the top of the list- Thank you.

Choose to have that baby, afford to raise that child, give your parents a piece of mind- they are still trying to get 'raising-you' right. To all the sisters who were misled, raped, not mentally fit, drugged or clueless when they conceived- Wish you all the best in making a good human being out of someone.

To everyone else who receives the CSG, it's there to help, I mean help you raise the baby.

One Love

Matumza