Sara Cloete

When a man moves away from nature, his heart becomes hard.

I am an African. I am a Patriot.

The Roots of Mankind are buried deeply here, underneath my feet, on my continent.

As a continent we are largely untouched by so called first world necessities. Our clinics and health centres are few and far between, our postal service nonexistent, our road networks shocking, our education simple.

Some would say that is not developed enough, we are a developing world - and try to 'help' us. I see it as a wonderfully liberating arrangement where I can live as nature intended, close to the earth, touching soil, walking barefoot on tickly grass, feeling the warmth of the suns rays as they touch my shoulders at 630am most mornings. Climb a footpath to a waterfall, unfettered by rights and regulations, and peacefully watch tumbling water cascade onto worn rocks. Rocks that have been there since before I was born and will remain long after.

We are almost untouched by GMO's, our children don't shoot each other at school, our needs are simple, we wear shoes till they break, and we pass on our clothes to others who are needy.

Valuing what we have is an important part of who we are.