During a recent address in Soweto, South African writer and activist Sisonke Msimang reflected on themes of love and belonging in a divided nation. Speaking from Perth, Australia, Msimang honored the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation and acknowledged the historical significance of Soweto, especially regarding the youth’s defiance against apartheid fifty years ago.
Msimang expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak, noting the importance of past authors and activists who inspired her. She emphasized her journey into writing and her commitment to engaging in profound societal dialogue.
The lecture centered around the complicated relationship South Africans have with their country. Msimang cited academic Eddie Glaude’s observation about not loving an unjust society, prompting her to explore the challenging notion of whether she could say she loves South Africa. She asserted that the country’s history, marked by struggles for freedom, should elicit love rather than disdain.
However, she raised concerns about violence against women and the emergence of a climate where men can kill with impunity, questioning what it means to express love for a country amid such injustices. “Can I say — to these women and their loved ones — that I love South Africa? What is the value of that love?” she pondered, pointing towards a complex relationship with national pride.
Msimang noted ongoing societal tensions, referring to a metaphorical “war” within South Africa. Competing notions of love, she said, manifest in attitudes toward migrants, where some groups justify violence against outsiders under the guise of protecting South Africans. “What is the meaning of a love that hurts, a love that requires the hatred of others to assert itself?” she asked, highlighting the troubling implications of conditional love.
While asserting her love for South Africa as a collective identity, Msimang differentiated it from the failures of individuals: “I do not love individuals who rape, steal and abuse, but I love… what this country has been through.” She described her affinity for the principles outlined in the Constitution, emphasizing the necessity of inclusion and shared humanity.
Reflecting on the lack of accountability and rising inequality, Msimang lamented the plight of ordinary South Africans, particularly women suffering from violence. She noted the government’s corruption and inability to fulfill its promises, leading to widespread disillusionment.
Msimang emphasized the need for collective memory of the nation’s struggles and triumphs as critical to its future. She asserted that the path forward is rooted in recognizing the country’s past, understanding its people, and moving beyond hatred toward healing and unity. “If we love South Africa, then we must collectively remember who we are and how we came to be,” she concluded, urging the audience to reclaim their narrative for a more just and inclusive society.
