South Africa pre 1994 was a country under the rule of an oppressive and self-gratifying government. Germany, during the reign of Adolf Hitler, had set an example for this type of governance, for many would be and practicing despots to follow.
The following years saw the rebuilding of Europe and other damaged parts of the world, but the fine and sincere promises for the future, quickly became forgotten. The greed, prejudices and the corruption, spread even faster and wider, fanned by the opportunities created. The Far East and Africa and the "poor" became breeding grounds for the exponents of human misery and for those who benefited from it. Poverty became a "buzz word", used by many politicians and entrepreneurs to further their own ambitions. The "poor" became the new weapons of their own destruction.
Africa, with its enormous potential of mineral and human resources became a primary target as the influential powers sought further resources for their own ever-increasing needs. The leaders of the people in Africa, became aware of their own power and influence, but most important, the rewards that were theirs for the taking.
Countries such as Rhodesia and South Africa could arguably have been havens of peace and industry. They had their natural resources in minerals and agriculture, the population was generally living in a bygone era, uncorrupted by the outside influences. However, the one point against this idyllic scenario was that the color of the rulers was white! This was exploited to a great degree, by various outside influences, wishing to gain controlling footholds in this continent of plenty. Louder were the voices raised against the ruling regimes and their vocal support for the perceived poor, greater did their influence grow.
Money and aid in various forms, started to pour into Rhodesia and South Africa from a variety of sources and soon, the political war-mongers and arms dealers, left their slime trails, across these magnificent landscapes. The people, or so-called poor of the countries, were the first to suffer. Threatened by their own former neighbors and friends, to join the "liberation" or "freedom" groups, they had no choice. This in turn, led them into conflict with the government forces and they became caught in the snare of the country, which they loved, and was their own.
From this turmoil, rose the African National Congress. Formed in the early nineteen hundreds' and supported in Europe and other parts of the world by various countries and corporations, they created a resemblance of sanity in a country striving to find a direction. Great leaders emerged, none more so than an educated, humanitarian named Nelson Mandela. No person could have envisaged at that time, the effect and inspiration, this one man would have in the future. He led the African National Congress to a conclusion that averted the massacre that had been prophesied. He negotiated the path of reconciliation between the peoples of South Africa, with dignity and compassion and led the country to a position that was unique in the history of the world. The poor of Africa saw in him their salvation.
However, greed is a cancer, whether it is for power, wealth or self-gratification and South Africa was not an exception. With the withdrawal of Nelson Mandela from the political arena, the political vermin seized their opportunity. Their targets were the naive poor, bribed with promises of work, houses and all the other embellishments they had seen and coveted. The politicians, bloated, sleek and shiny from their extravagant style of living, spoke of the wonders they would work for the poor. How they would give the benefits from the struggle to the people and how they would at last be a part of the modern world.
As usual with political promises, the African dream did not materialize. Swarms of people descended on South Africa, fleeing from countries and persecution; seeking the country where the streets were paved with gold. The citizens watched in wonder and in many cases, with hostility. They had observed their leaders living in grandeur; they had heard and read about the scandals emerging and excessive spending. While relatives and friends of those in power wallowed in their unrestricted wealth, the people still did not have work, houses or enough to eat.
The landscape of the country was also changing. Thousands of shacks of all shapes and sizes, made from all forms of materials, grew like mushrooms and became breeding grounds for criminals. Crime had become a scourge and was now a career for anyone willing to take the risk. The police force, now known as the police service, became a source of amusement for all citizens and quickly, a sense of almost despair spread across the nation. Friends of the politicians, convicted of crimes, released on one pretext or another. Culture became another "buzz word" and in the name of culture, President Zuma took more wives and Julius Malema sang a freedom song, "Death to the Boer", meaning, "kill the farmer" and they, with their supporters, danced.
While South Africa weeps and its leaders enrich themselves, some of those watching this devil's tea party, perhaps go back in time to Europe and wonder about the similarity, to that vile and corrupt creation that in the end was its own destruction.
I have been writing for almost two years, but have lived in South Africa for over thirty years. During that time, I have seen like many other here, changes for the good and bad of the country. However, there have never been changes that affected the ordinary citizen, or the poor. I though I would write something about this; probably not believing it will make a difference, but to make me feel better, seeing it in words. If it induces any emotion in you; either positive or negative, I would like to know about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment