South Africans, it’s time we have an honest conversation. I have no kind words for the ANC or its president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who happens to be my president by default as a citizen of this country. Yet, I must acknowledge a single, bold move that stands out: on 28 May 2024, Ramaphosa signed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act into law. What possessed him to do this before election day, I don’t know, but it was a moment of brilliance—an act that holds immense potential for the future of this country.
This law empowers citizens to grow cannabis for private use, in private spaces. Selling it remains illegal, but sharing harvests privately is allowed. At first glance, these provisions may seem restrictive, but they offer a unique opportunity for self-realization and self-reliance. If we, as black South Africans, fully embrace and intentionally exercise the freedoms this law provides, we could birth a new economy—an economy by and for black South Africans, contributing to the broader prosperity of our country.
Reclaiming What Was Always Ours
Black South Africans are the largest consumers of cannabis, yet most of us don’t know where our cannabis comes from. Meanwhile, South Africa ranks as the third-largest exporter of cannabis globally, driven by an illegal market. We have the sun, fertile land, and agricultural heritage, yet black South Africans have been systematically excluded from farming and the economy it sustains. This exclusion persists because of a deeply entrenched system: black people work for white people to afford food grown by Afrikaner farmers and distributed via Cape Town.
But the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act changes everything. It allows us to reconnect with the land—to grow, share, and reclaim our dignity and heritage. This is more than just an economic opportunity; it’s a chance to heal and rebuild our identity.
Justice Before Peace
Let’s be clear: there can be no peace in South Africa without justice. History has shown us that peace without justice is an illusion. From 1912, when the seeds of inequality were planted, to the creation of townships designed to dehumanize us, South Africa’s foundation is built on systemic injustice. The Bible, particularly the King James Version, speaks of paying for the sins of one’s fathers. Whether you believe in karma, divine law, or the consequences of human action, one thing is certain: the truth cannot be escaped.
The Power of Truth
The world is changing. The veil is lifting, and the harsh truths we’ve long avoided are coming to light. We must prepare ourselves for this reckoning. The Springboks showed us how to face the truth in their Chasing the Sun series. By confronting the history of apartheid and its effects, they built a team united in purpose, led by Siya Kolisi, to achieve back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories. They did not chase the sun with lies—they stood in the light of Ramasedi, the truth.
Similarly, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act allows us to grow for ourselves. No one is coming to save us. We have the tools in our pockets—our smartphones—to learn how to cultivate this plant for health, well-being, and economic growth. Cannabis has been part of us since time immemorial. Our colonizers demonized it and replaced it with alcohol to sever our connection to ourselves, but we can reclaim this plant and its potential.
A Time for Renewal
The global market is moving toward sustainability, cleaner energy, and self-reliance—essentially toward living like Africans. Yet colonization and apartheid have disconnected many of us from our Africanness. Survival in townships, creations of an evil system, forces us to divorce ourselves from ubuntu/botho. This disconnect has left us vulnerable to manipulation, yet it is also why we persevere. Africans thrive anywhere because of an intrinsic connection to life and resilience.
Now is the time to imagine a greater future, built intentionally. A cannabis economy must prioritize black South Africans—not to exclude others, but to restore balance. Without a clear intention, change will come to us in ways we cannot control, potentially bringing destruction before renewal. Like Germany post-World War II, we have the potential for rebirth, but we must choose truth and integrity today to avoid a harsher reckoning.
Chasing the Light
We are “day walkers.” We work the land, and we thrive under the sun. The global market is already waiting for South African sun-grown cannabis. With AI and technology at our fingertips, we can gather knowledge, relearn what was taken from us, and create a thriving cannabis economy. But this must be done with intention, guided by truth and a commitment to ubuntu/botho.
The truth will set us free—but only if we seek it with clear eyes and an open mind. Let us step into the light, not to chase the sun, but to stand firmly in it. The future of South Africa depends on it.