As a white South African, growing up in an era where apartheid fell, saw infamous leaders like Nelson Mandela leading the country, winning two rugby world cups and knowing how people both black and white integrated post apartheid it is so sad to see uneducated "racists, rapists, criminals" like Winni Mandela, Jacob Zuma now leading such an amazing country. Where are those leaders you might ask....? They are still there, new and up and coming leaders still give speeches or peaceful coexistence, but unfortunately those leaders are being suppressed and the few in power want their message to be heard. Apartheid was an embarrassing time for any South African and once again it was the few in power making bad decisions on behalf of an entire country. I am 25 years old and have in my time never spoken down to anyone I went to school with, played sport together or studied together throughout university. There is no way the wrongs of the past can be corrected, things like affirmative action and BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) were implemented but became skewed, as what started off as something that could mend a country only became something that made a very niche educated population incredibly wealthy while the poor got poorer as the domestic housework and blue colour workers are left short changed by government as their employers now don???t have to funds to continue the informal job creation. When Mr Mbeki mentioned that BEE should be lifted as enough progress was made and the country had to heal itself, Mr Zuma saw his opening and came in with a message of ??? Why should BEE be lifted, the White people haven???t suffered enough??? I never did anything wrong and have always followed my parents example of not shying someone away if they arrive at my door offering to do something around the house, be it painting, cleaning, gardening or pool work. The basic message sounds throughout Africa ???POWER CORRUPTS, ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY???
The End of The Affair
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Zuma's backers say he's been unfairly maligned, and that he couldn't make drastic changes even if he wanted to, as he will be hemmed in by the party apparatus. Others are optimistic that all the tumult could lead to improvements. Ayanda Dlodlo, who heads a group of liberation-era ANC veterans, says that the country's downward spiral has inspired the surviving graybeards to re-engage. "The sense of sacrifice is still there," she says. "All the veterans have is the ANC, and they would be loath to see South Africa degenerate into a basket case."
Indeed, veterans' groups have already begun reactivating their cells—only this time in the interests of civil society. Old party members have advocated establishing "street committees," much like those used during the anti-apartheid struggle, to help police against crime. Similar measures are being discussed to attack AIDS, corruption and poverty. Meanwhile, according to the political analyst Gumede, the specter of Zimbabwe's implosion could serve as a cautionary lesson for South Africa's leaders.
Should they commit to turning the country around, South Africa has huge advantages over its neighbors, such as an educated population, a relatively good infrastructure and clear civilian control of the military. In recent months, moreover, the government has extended grants to thousands of the poor to help close the income gap. Still, South Africa's leaders must focus their efforts on actually governing if things are to improve. For too long, politicians here have failed to take on the boring but critical work of running the country, says ANC veteran Maharaj. Even the wish that the elders would return and take charge is a way of avoiding "responsibility for the problems of today," he says. Still, the old struggles are over, he argues; good government must now become the ANC's focus. That's something South Africa's old leaders clearly understood. Let's hope their heirs finally get the message.
With Karen Macgregor in Durban And Kim Gurney in Johannesburg
© 2007
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