Momentous historical dates like Independence Day are occasions when a newspaper like the Seychelles NATION rises to the occasion to remind the nation to reflect on this solemn and important day.

We also have the duty to remind our children and youths of our history and what the event means in the context of our journey as a nation.

INDEPENDENT

YET DEPENDENT

AND INTERDEPENDENT

We are ‘independent’ to the point that we are a sovereign state, with our own flag, national anthem and our own seat at the table of United Nations, and are in a position to self-determine our path.

But how dependent and interdependent we are!….as recent world events continue to teach and remind us.

A sneeze or a touch that started a few thousand miles away threatened to bring us to our economic knees via the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine heralds widespread shortages of basic foodstuff and other daily needs, as well as push up the cost of living.

The adverse impact of climate change is being seen in the degradation of our soil, leading to a degradation of nutrients in our fruits and vegetables.

The unhealthy American and Western diet of fast foods and highly processed foods with high sugar content that is killing many Americans is fast taking over our traditional eating habits and pushing up cases of obesity in our children as well as chronic diseases in our adults.

And, last but not least, because it’s happening so silently that no one talks about it or even senses it, our Culture is slowly going through a metamorphosis, being eroded, being invaded and chipped away by the very same digital revolution that is propelling us forward.

If we’re not careful we will even lose the way we greet and bid our goodbyes.

Progress does not mean having to throw out all the Old and adopting only the New.

Transform mindfully

This is why it is extremely important for President Wavel Ramkalawan to go further and deeper in his explanation of TRANSFORMATION to the Seychellois nation.

In many ways, Transformation is stronger and more tangible than the nebulous word Change.

Thus it is vital for people to grasp it better in order to be engaged more intelligently and wholeheartedly in the process.

Transformation in most areas of life needs to happen not only for us to survive and thrive in the new world order, but to survive better at home.

Our food security is under serious threat and unless we transform the way we farm and take food to the table we will not survive with dignity.

Our health is under serious threat and unless we transform the way we eat and accept that our home-grown vegetables and fruits are superior in taste and nutrition and need only be supplemented by selective imports, we will not have a healthy population able to achieve our economic goals.

The Minister for Finance said only a few days ago that our Education system and curriculum need to be transformed in order to meet the country’s new career needs for a sustainable development.

But let’s at the same time multiply the number of schools that promote and teach food security through small school garden projects.

Let’s see the Ministry of Health continue the new positive engagement with the Food for Health movement to get our nation healthier.

Let’s put enough energy and dynamism in the promise to help, educate, and give our entrepreneurs the right tools and guidance to engage in the economy.

Cherish our Culture

Let’s share with our youth and children the stories and experiences of our grandparents so they value the need to treasure and keep alive our colourful traditions and folklore.

And last but not least let’s transform our mindset and seek spiritual enlightenment to find ways of moving forward without destroying our national harmony by opening wounds of the past.

Celebrating our Independence will only mean something if we can move forward positively and mindfully….that we’re in the process of building a special future for our children.

For with our character, values and island joie de vivre, we are one of the world’s most wonderful small nations and cultures.

Source: Seychelles Nation