From my tjommie , Aiden Sookdin - Please excuse the racist… I’ve lived in South Africa all my life. I’m old enough to remember the racist abuse that my family and friends were exposed to during apartheid. I also remember the celebrations in the streets when Nelson Mandela walked out of prison after 27 years behind bars. I even shed a tear watching his presidential inauguration. Most white people I spoke to loved Mandela and every black person was excited to take advantage of the promise of equal opportunities. Yes, some white people were afraid and rushed out to stockpile canned goods preparing for the black revenge or “swart gevaar” but even this didn’t happen. During this time of hopeful uncertainty, I heard something inspiring. This quote shaped my life and attitude towards my fellow South Africans, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela I discovered a renewed hope for the future of South Africa. Racism seemed to have disappeared, equal opportunities for everyone was the order of the day and South Africans were finally embracing each other using words like, unity, equality, democracy and peace… But, like Nelson Mandela’s time in office, this hope was short lived. The African National Congress that I loved so much, the party I supported enthusiastically in my youth was changing. After nelson Mandela completed his presidential term the leadership of my ANC, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Thambo and Walter Sisulu, were aging. The ANC was evolving into a new political beast The lies, corruption and abuse of power started to emerge. The Democratic Party changed its face to the Democratic Alliance, disgruntled ANC members broke away and started their own political parties. COPE, Agang and the EFF emerged. Then under the leadership of Jacob Zuma, my hope in my ANC continued to unravel. • Equality for all transformed into equality for the political elite • Social media started to publicise the ever increasing fear of the white people • Black Economic Empowerment became Individual Economic Empowerment • White people started to blame the black government • Black people started to blame the black government • Coloured people struggled to find their place in this turmoil • Steve Hoffmeyer sang Die Stem… • I become a father to two young coloured sons of South Africa • I smell the fires of protest ignite around the country once again • Marikana, the Guptas and Nkandla… Then, I hear it again… Signalling the rebirth of public, unapologetic racism Words that were once whispered in our new democracy, like Nkosi Sikeleli IAfrica was whispered under the rule of apartheid. Words that cut through my soul like a knife… “Niggers, Kaffirs, Swart Gevaar. I stand up alone! “No, it’s unacceptable. I will not stand for racism.” Expecting the support from my fellow South Africans, I stand up again and say, “No, enough I will not stand for racism!” Silence… Two timid voices echo my sentiments. I hear something from disgruntled white South Africans that I never thought I’d ever hear again, “Can you really blame them for hating our corrupt government?” My mind starts racing. Are the corrupt actions of the ANC government perpetuating racist behaviour from other race groups in the country? Is it okay to call our police minister a “Nigger Woman” or to call our president a “Thieving Kaffir”? I look to Nelson Mandela for answers but his once powerful voice is silenced by death. I look back at his words left on a page and it shapes new meaning… “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela The ANC that once supported and delivered this message to the world is dead. Today, our highest office builds houses for the political elite while the people that were promised equal rights continue to live in poverty, die in the streets and are shot by the police – leaving blood in the streets. The public are fed lies by political bullies that want nothing but to protect a second rate leader who pleads ignorance and believes that its acceptable. My once powerful ANC protects him, they support him and follow him blindly into the dust storm of political mayhem. Hopeful individuals like me that stand up against racism are left to fight this scourge alone. Every time the ANC beast opens its mouth, the fight against racism loses a battle. “Please excuse the racist. You can’t blame him for hating this government.” No. I will no longer be a silent witness to scourge of that the ANC has become. I don’t hate my government but I’m looking for hope in my government again. I can’t find it… I am wandering alone, holding on to the hopes and dreams that perished when Jacob Zuma took his seat in the highest office in this land. I have my sons to care for. Are they black enough to be included in the policies of Black Economic Empowerment? I have new battles to fight. I will say it again… I’ve lived in South Africa all my life. I’m old enough to remember the racist abuse that my family and friends were exposed to during apartheid. I also remember the celebrations in the streets when Nelson Mandela walked out of prison after 27 years behind bars. I even shed a tear watching his presidential inauguration. But today I am crying for a different reason. My heart bleeds for the ANC I once loved. My heart bleeds at the justification of racism from both sides of the colour spectrum. My heart bleeds for South Africa and the reality of political lies and oppression that our government is leaving its wake. I remember apartheid, I remember the age of freedom that followed and today I remember this, “Please excuse the racist. You can’t blame him for hating tis government.” I am desperate for my memory of the era of Jacob Zuma to fade.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:39:22 +0000
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