Human Rights Day

South Africa really is a beautiful place. On a day like today, it is quite remarkable to think of the progress this country has made. 18 years on from the start of democracy, Freedom Babies are now in their first year of university or entering the work place. There are still lots of concerns, but it is great to see politics moving in the direction of service delivery and to spend days like today recognising how far we have come. I remain a long term optimist. When you read how narrow the mindsets were of those who colonised Latin America, North America, Australia, Africa and elsewhere. When you delve into the craziness of the 'wars of consolidation' of the likes of Genghis Khan and Shaka Zulu. When you think of the bizarre idealogical and religious fights we have had. When you speak to mothers and grandmothers about the opportunities they had growing up, and you compare those to the new freedoms of today - there is a lot of progress to applaud. There are countless areas to improve. But sometimes perspective is required. While those in the US who bemoan the inequality between the 1% and the rest - glancing towards South America and Africa, or back a century or more should give them pause at how much progress Freedom allows. We have problems with crime, corruption and poverty. But I believe in Freedom - particularly of ideas. As ideas become harder to imprison, as people learn more about other cultures, as light gets shone on ignorance... we move forward. Real human rights follow.