Will the ‘rainbow nation’ survive the demise of
Mandela?
Ask any South African
and you will realize that Madiba’s near deity-status serves to maintain
societal cohesion.
In the course of an
earlier trip to Johannesburg, I encountered a rather vociferous and seemingly
well organized group, the ‘Landless Peoples Movement’ whose demands were akin
to those that led to Robert Mugabe’s directive for forceful repossession of lands
by native Zimbabweans from the commercial farmers. Over 18 years after the
attainment of majority rule in South Africa, over 90% of the land still belongs
to less than 5% of the population.
The landless Peoples
Movement coupled with the spate of pre-existing political tension and
repeatedly harsh police tactics against Miners and the mostly poverty stricken
native South African population seems indicative of a brewing volcano beneath
the surface.
Unlike in other
episodes of mass disasters of epic proportions (particularly the Holocaust and
the destruction and subsequent rehabilitation of Europe and Japan after World
War II), the international community virtually turned a blind eye on the plight
of black South Africans at the end of the heinous devilish Apartheid regime.
Black South Africans who had suffered generations of injustice, inequity,
segregation and depravity in all ramifications of social existence were offered
platonic 'independence' whilst lacking the educational, social and
psychological capacities to take advantage of the so-called independence.
The charade
represented by the Desmond Tutu-led Truth and Reconciliation Commission though
meant to obscure reality could certainly not have been expected to last till
eternity as it woefully failed to achieve any semblance of reconciliation or
justice.
The deep seated
anger, hunger and vengeful spirit prevailing in South Africa is palpable for
all, save those who opt for an ostrich-like existence, to see. The continuing
ambivalence of the South African government's response to the re-occupation of
farm lands in Zimbabwe is in direct realization of the touchy nature of the
issue and resemblance to the situation in South Africa.
In the face of
continuing denial of people’s rights, failure of the international community to
recognize and adequately address the fault-lines, the Movement and many others
refrain from outright explosion out of respect for Madiba.
Some will argue that
Madiba has not been a part of governance in South Africa for almost a decade.
Well, thats true, but his persona still dominates the polity. There is yet
opportunity to address this issue whilst Madiba lives.
As we wish Africa’s
surviving greatest gift to mankind speedy recovery, one cannot but wonder if
the ‘rainbow nation’ will survive him.
Picture: Madiba
No comments:
Post a Comment