We are back in 1976. The “Apartheid” government is in power. Any demonstration against government is strictly forbidden. If you dare defy that order, its punishable, even by death. Shoot to kill is the message. Welcome to the New South Africa. The Rainbow Nation build on so much tears, and bloodshed. The more we anticipated changes, the more things stayed the same.
What a naive thought from our side hoping that with the election in 1994 everything would just change to normal, everyone would have a normal life. A life with dignity, with a right to basic services. We forgot that people didn’t get in the struggle to stay poor. They had their own agendas for being in the struggle. Now they ripping the benefits.
We are 17 years in the New South Africa, People are still living in the same if not worse conditions bestowed upon them by the Apartheid government. The people who went out of their way to convince all and sundry that they, and only they alone are responsible for delivering the elusive freedom from the clutches of APARTHEID went further to convince the masses that only they were qualified to lead the people into the newly found freedom, have failed the masses miserable. Since they came into power, the most important thing on their minds has been to gather together wealth at any cost for the benefits of themselves, and family members. The spirit of entrepreneurship has been replaced with tenderpreneurship. We have overnight Billionaires, conveniently blood relatives of people in the highest office in the land. In short, if you want to make it in this country, you need to know somebody who knows somebody, or you need to be that somebody that has the key to the states treasury.
Most of the so called Black Diamonds got their newly found wealth through connections to the ruling party. Funds designated for the improvement of the poorest o the poor are embezzled before it reaches its destination, to the detriment of the poor. Many fallen heroes of the liberation struggles are turning in their graves due to the current state of affairs today. Their dreams have been high jacked by the elite few. The better tomorrow they envisioned remains just that. A dream deferred. Poverty and crime is still the order of the day. Children of the elites goes to Elite schools, and those of the poor get second class education. Fit for Second class citizens.
The sad thing is those who see through this façade, happens to be in the minority. There is nothing they can do to change the situation because their Votes will not make any significant difference on the outcome of any election. The lack of any viable opposition is also not helping their cause. It’s like being caught in between the Devil and the Deep blue sea, most opt to cling to the devil they know.
Is this the democracy we envisioned? How many struggles must we have before we get our share of liberty. A democracy were the all people can share in the same resources, and wealth of this country?
Is it too much to ask for if you demand a basic services like clean drinking water to drink. What if you really can’t afford the bottled drink water? Is demonstrating against the lack of service delivery really a reason for someone to lose his life. Was the law by the General to Shoot to Kill for the police actually directed at silencing the masses, by treating, and even killing them if they dare make their displeasures know? Is this the government we voted for? Is this the government we going to vote for? Is this the people we want to govern our lives.
Do we have to keep our mouths shut, and watch while the political connected live their lives likes queens and kings. This people are removed from the realities of the common man on the street, The forgot what it is like to go to bed without food, They have forgotten how it’s like to spend a cold winter night without a roof over their heads, or without a blanket to offer some warmth through the cold night. How can we entrust out lives to people who have forgotten about us, and move to the suburb to live the African dream at the expensive of the poor?
I for one did not envision this future as it is today. I’m almost certain that I am not the only one who believes things could been better, with better leaders at the helm who sincerely from the people, for the people.
I tried hard not to mention names but one name worth mentioning is Andries Tatane
We can only hope that your life was not lost in vain. We can only hope that more people will awaken to reality, and see the monster that we have created by keeping quit, and pretended everything is OK. Let’s hope the people will come to realize that Absolute power corrupt absolutely. A one party state can only lead to disaster,
Zimbabwe didn’t get where it is by accident. Loyalty to a movement, certain individuals against logic, wisdom and the well being of the poor masses got Zimbabwe where it is today. It will take decades to rebuild that country. Why are we not learning?
Andries Tatane:
You will be remembered as a proud man. A man who gave back to the community he lived in through your chosen career as a Math’s teacher. A Man with a vision. And a dream of equity, and respect to human life.
A man who dared the powers that be to deliver what was due to the poor .
A Man who didn’t go into hiding when his believes was challenged. A Man who chose to live with the poor, and fight alongside them for a better living condition. A man who chose to fight injustice, irrespective of the colour of the government of the day. You knew that by standing on the sideline you would be betraying everything that you, and all other fallen heroes of the struggles stood for.
You , and those other fallen heroes are the true champions of the poorest of the poor.
You were, and still are, a true a Son of the Soil.
Your name will go down into History as the one who defied the powers that wanted to silence a country of proud people.
The world does not have many like. May you find peace.
Your all was the fall of a Hero, and A People
