19 February 2010
	Use your freedom Vusi Simphiwe Ndlovu, Sandton

I refer to Gavin Heron's "Get on the ball" article (On My Mind February 12). It would be great if the national psyche would reflect the constructive criticism in Heron's piece. Certainly there are things that are inexcusably wrong about this country: service delivery, crime, education, health care and the general vacuum in leadership. But this is still a beautiful country with a lot of potential. We should recognis e that. Rather than complain incessantly and tell everyone we know overseas that "this country is going to the dogs" or "this country is becoming another Zimbabwe", we should effect positive change by exercising our civic rights and getting involved in the politics of the country that we love. Indeed, as Heron says, "it seems we South Africans are not happy unless we have something to whine about". We should focus our energy on fixing things and creating the beautiful story we would rather tell people about this country. The national mood needs to be lifted, as the cancer of over-intellectualis ing and petty politicking seems to rule the day. This does require people to get off their behinds and vote, organise, state their views and take responsibility for their civic rights and the freedoms which we fought for and still fight for to this day. SA has great potential, great people and a story that inspires all those who care to listen and those who care to visit our land.