Share

Global goldfish bowl

THE topic of racism which has reared its ugly head in South Africa recently is mind-boggling, if not soul-crushing.

This week alone, our TV shows beamed views from high-ranking public officials who claimed that parts of this country continue to be affected by the “killer disease” almost 20 years after the country held its so-called all race general elections.

ANC Western Cape chairperson Marius Fransman, speaking at the SABC/TNA Breakfast meeting this week, alluded to the fact that racism is rife in the DA-governed Western Cape, the province he comes from.
 
He said more than 90% of property in Cape Town is still in the hands of the minorities in that province.

By minorities, it was clear he was referring to whites.

In other words, he was saying claims that the city and the province are run by a racist group of people bent on denying other races a chance for a better life are correct.

The event was quite interesting. It was the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF), one of the most important anti-apartheid organisations of the 1980s and allegedly an internal wing of the ANC, which was banned at the time.

The main speaker was one of the gallant leaders of the UDF, Popo Molefe, who fielded some of the interesting questions about the movement from guests that graced the occasion this week.

But most of the questions were about discrimination against blacks (Africans, Coloureds and Indians) in the province.
One of the most important questions Molefe had to field came from a high-ranking ANC leader in the Western Cape.

This leader asked Molefe what should be done about discrimination against Africans, Coloureds and Indians in the province.

In his response, the eloquent Molefe said people who live in that province have to do something about this state of affairs themselves.

It seems at least all are agreed that racism is rampant in the Western Cape.

A day after watching this interesting exchange among black South Africans, another SABC news source showed a debate between Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+).

Apparently the FF+, which enjoys robust support among Afrikaans-speaking white people in the country, launched a formal objection with the Independent Electoral Commission against the registration of EFF as a political party.

The exchange in this debate reminded me of the days before the all race general elections of 1994 when South Africans’ eyes would be glued to their TV screens, watching debates between ANC/UDF leaders and those who supported the apartheid system. These characters would often call each other horrible names, including racist.

In the SABC News Debate this week, the controversial black consciousness proponent, Andile Mngxitama, who represented the EFF, accused the FF+ of racism, saying since 1994 only 8% of land had been returned to blacks.

He said this was because those who 'stole' the land, namely the FF+ and other racists, were refusing to return it to its rightful owners.

All these debates show that the critical issue of racism perpetrated against blacks (African, Black and Indian) is steadily coming back to haunt the country.

Otherwise, why is everyone suddenly talking about it?

Not many South Africans who are racist like to concede the fact. If you want to prove this, just follow the insults that are going to be hurled at this writer by some readers of this column.

But some blacks cannot contain their anger, lest those racist people aggravate their conduct. 

In addition, not many people even like to be open and truthful when they witness racist attitudes.

The fact that few people are ready to expose racist conduct when they see it, expresses the fact that racism is publicly prohibited.

However, it is also evidence of deep weakness, showing that South Africa has trekked a short sprint in its effort to comprehend racism.

We now live in what is gradually becoming an international goldfish container, where what occurs on these shores will be scrutinised by the whole world.

I want to agree with Molefe’s sentiment that all those affected by racism, black and white, should do something about it.

 - Fin24

*Mzwandile Jacks is a freelance journalist. Opinions expressed are his own.








 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.87
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.84
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders