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Through my eyes

Through my eyes

Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2018-07-13

It has been a glorious couple of days in our 'shithole' paradise. As much as we all want to complain about the rising cost of petrol, the corrupt politicians and the serious racial inequality, we all have to admit that, in actual fact, we're still ok. The weather has been stunning, the Saturday sports entertaining and there have been enough sunny weekends to braai to our hearts content, in the middle of winter.

But, are we really happy

Some of the punters at this years' Vodacom July didn't seem happy. Some have parted with their fortunes while others are still trying to reconcile their bad fortunes.

For those who enjoyed the perfect winter's afternoon at Greyville, and like me were there just to do some people watching, must agree with me that there was something amiss this year, something just did not feel right.

It could have been the militant, unfriendly welcome by the "Save the Racehorse" campaigners (or something like that, I am not sure who they were. I could not see their posters as every time I tried to look up I was 'death stared', growled and sneered at). People who used the back gates to enter Greyville got the same welcome.

It could have been that none of my friends wanted to join us. They all had some bizarre excuses; "Too messy", "Oh no, its too much hassle", "What is the point "

"Its fun at the races!" I tried to explain in vain. It fell on deaf ears.

And as I sat and watched the vibrancy and extravagance of this years' parade my heart swelled with deep love and sympathy for our country. We might be on the brink of civil war and maybe even on the brink of financial ruin, but we still know how to party.

There was something amiss at this year's iconic horse racing event, but there was also something new and exciting, vibrant and exclusive and it was us Durbanites, and our guests from all around the country, that made this event exciting and alive.

It might not appeal to everyone, I don't think it's meant to. I think those that take their time and make the effort to get there dressed to the high heavens, deserve to have the time of their lives, ultimately its not about the horses, its about so many different emotions.

All the selfies and pouts and bare skin are a clear indication to me that even through our adversities we're still able to put on a show and shine bright, maybe just maybe things are not as bad as we are made to believe

Lets not wait for the next July, lets just celebrate for the sake of celebration, you know you can.