Apartheid versus the new South Africa: Nothing is black or white

I would rather live in the new South Africa with its non-stop power failures, crime-riddled society and (who changed the f***ing climate?) monsoon weather than return to the “good old” days of apartheid. To my mind it’s not even worthy of debate.

Notwithstanding, I figured that with just over five months of Thought Leader having passed, now might be a good time to recap my thoughts so far.

I am an ANC supporter (not a member) and very fond of President Mbeki. That said, I have taken him to task on Zimbabwe, accountability, the Scorpions, organised crime and a number of other issues.

I have also supported him when he is being unfairly attacked and pointed out that under his leadership we have achieved sustained economic growth and a large measure of transformation. I was disappointed that his centrist views were trumped by a more left-leaning Jacob Zuma supported by the SACP and Cosatu.

I was thrilled with the democratic way that Polokwane unfolded and despite being pro-Mbeki, accept that the ANC delegates chose Jacob Zuma as their new president and national president in waiting.

To my knowledge I was the first among the media to call for Zuma being granted an amnesty because of the reasons I set out in a series of articles. I believe the country needs to have certainty and the first Zulu president may well give transformation further impetus.

I have and will continue to attack any policies of the ANC or any other party which I believe are against the interests of the people of South Africa. I will also support opposition parties whenever they have a valid point — a good example being electricity. Alec Erwin and the rest were told to leave but steadfastly refused to do so.

Those who look back through rose coloured glasses at the days of white rule should factor in that a free press meant free to say what the government wanted or allowed them to say, a gravy train where a select few benefited and nobody ever dared question it, and disgusting racist practices. We were considered the lepers of the world.

In so far as the issue of crime, the fact that the media were censored and whites enjoyed privileged protection did not mean the problem was under control. It wasn’t, it was building, as were the social causes giving rise thereto.

In accordance therewith I am fully behind BEE and affirmative action as they will give rise to a strong black middle class — the future of our country. In order to redress the imbalance occasioned by apartheid this is necessary.

I will however not condone other forms of racism including sports, the great unifier of our people. Here I will continue to be merciless on tokenism and administrators or bodies who pocket vast sums so that they can continue doing little or nothing for the development of the youth of this country.

I do not tolerate Afrikaners who tell me that Afrikaans is dead or refuse to speak to me in Afrikaans — what a load of garbage. You have shown the world that you are a proud and strong people determined to take your place in the sun. I am proud of my heritage and have ensured that my upcoming book is co-authored in order to have an Afrikaans version. You guys are a cut above!

I am proud to be a South African and of all our people, the Zulus and Xhosas are known the world over. I do however get angry when they defend blacks in power who are being lambasted for corruption, incompetence or negligence simply because they are black — blacks are, in the main, the people in power.

Where they make a stuff up all South Africans suffer. If they are replaced, the person concerned will invariably be black but may do a better job. Stop defending people who are not worthy of your defence.

If the government is attacked for racism in sport then it is the issue which should interest you, not the name or race of the critic. The chances are the party being attacked will be black because the overwhelming majority of our leaders are black. The right people in office is what everyone should be looking for. For example if AfriForum tells the president crime is unacceptable, why would you have a problem with that? It is!

It affects you and to defend the status quo based upon the fact that it is a black leader in place is, to say the least, short sighted and self defeating.

The point is that the government and politicians exercise power on your behalf — where they fall short, they must go. An example being the Scorpions and the organised crime unit. Like it or not, they are two of our best units who were twisted every which way by politicians. As the citizens, we are poorer for their demise and the fact that we allowed politicians to use them for their own ends.

Apartheid was a disgrace and any current minister who uses it to justify any current policy should be removed; so too, any white who claims that South Africa was better off under that abomination should be made to understand that for maybe 15% of the population this was the case. For the overwhelming majority of South Africans it was barbaric, a view also expressed by the rest of the planet.

South Africans are living in a multiracial democracy under the finest Constitution on the planet. It’s not about being black or white; it’s about doing what’s right instead of what’s wrong.

Polokwane was a call to uplift the poor and oppressed of this country.

Where I see companies or politicians forgetting this, for example bread, milk and medicine price-fixing, I am going to be particularly scathing. I believe, like the SACP, that our capitalism must have a larger measure of socialism built in. Everyone keeps asking the question: What are we getting for our taxes? It’s time for the government to deliver.

The right thing means using your democracy to express your views in the interests of all — to demand that you have a free press, to be protected from crime and that all people in office be held accountable. Where the government or anyone would deny you this, you must be heard.

I love South Africa and all our people as Mr Minto found out when he insulted us — show your love for your country and your humanity by doing what is in the best interest of us all.

Please note that all shall as always exclude Man United and Kaizer Chiefs supporters — the dogs!