The most depressing part of the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre wasn’t the political mud-slinging between the two leading former liberation movements.
Both reveal the predictable inability of most black politicians and activists to engage in constructive engagement and decent discourse.
Rather, what was most disturbing was seeing Pan Africanist Congress members tearing into each other in Langa, Western Cape.
It is tragic, indeed, that comrades who belong to the same party can physically attack each other and fire guns just because of a difference in opinion.
Almost all the former liberation movements — that is, the PAC, ANC and Azapo to name a few — have splintered into factions that are fighting over position, power, leadership and control of resources.
This self-destructive pattern is evident in the governing party, the African National Congress.
Over the years it has degenerated into a low-intensity war that has not only left people dead but culminated in the recall of a president of the country.
What happened in Langa, on Human Rights Day, revealed that no black-dominated political party is exempt from this disease of rivalry, competition and the fight for control and ownership of the aspirations of the poor and marginalised.
Perhaps we need a crude discourse about the fatal preoccupation with power, influence, position and control of resources that always results in damaging the integrity of black leadership.
Of course, this sort of internecine warfare is not confined to black political organisations only.
It can also be found in the Democratic Alliance and the Independent Democrats, for example.
But its worst form manifests itself in the mayhem, violence, self-destruction and death of black politicians and activists.
It was sad that this had to happen on Human Rights Day and was beamed to millions of homes around the country and, possibly, the world.
Somebody must tell the PAC to wake up and smell the coffee.
It is reasonable to think that the ANC’s offer and invitation to all parties to become part of the observation of national days caught them off-guard.
Recently the ANC has had the courage to say publicly that it is about time that national holidays like Human Rights Day, for instance, were opened up to all the people of this country to identify with and relate to.
This attitude not only displays matured political thinking but provides a cornerstone to nation-building and nurturing a new spirit of patriotism.
Thus it was embarrassing to see black politicians and activists in the PAC not only to fight over their history and heritage, but threaten the lives of their own comrades on such an important day.
The significance and meaning of Human Rights Day or Sharpeville Day — call it what you will — belongs to all the people of this country.
No political party has sole control and ownership over it.
In the post-apartheid era the PAC has had an undistinguished political history that has not made it qualify for the country’s leadership.
Its performance both in Langa and Sharpeville may make it difficult for people to take it seriously.
There is no need for anybody to fight for the sole ownership or control of the history of SA, significance and meaning of national holidays like Human Rights or Youth Day, for instance.
In a way, it can be said that the ANC has come to realise this truth and that is why it has invited all political parties to be part of the commemorations and celebrations.
The point here is not to deny that the PAC activated the 1960 anti-pass protests while the ANC was still debating and planning.
Of course, the matter of who “owns” the day will always remain a contentious issue because of perspective and interpretation.
But it is time to restore dignity and respect to these very important days which are part of our history and heritage.
The ANC is the governing party and has the resources to commemorate and celebrate these with the stature and height they deserve.
All other parties have now been invited to participate as equal partners.
This chimes very well with the new spirit of patriotism and nation-building, especially as we all get ready to host the first African 2010 World Cup.
Let us all be open-minded to work together to do more for both our history and future!
A prince with dignity and determination
Prince Ngarambe’s goals are to become Rwanda’s first transgender model and to uplift the country’s youth
The EFF’s principles are unshakeable
Unlike the ANC, the core values of the freedom fighters do not change with each leader it elects
