Khaya Dlanga's column of the day is entitled "Why black folk don't vote DA," and it is one that all South Africans need to read. Basically, he gives all of us the real reasons why black people will not vote for the DA and I agree with him.
Firstly, black people's apartheid scars are still too deep, whether you are a born free or not, that is my opinion because in some way I am sure a black person has had an unpleasant encounter with a white person. Well this is not the reason, the reason is, and I quote: "The real reason most black people won’t vote for the DA is because they want to fix their problems for themselves. They don’t want to feel like they need a white person to solve their problems for them. If they allow the DA to take over, this is what it will feel like, “We can’t do it for ourselves, let’s let the white people fix this for us.” Yes, Mr Dlanga said it and whether you like it or not, it is true.
Some may find my views contrary to my upbringing, reason being that I didn't grow up being previously disadvantaged, I also played with Barbie dolls and talking toys and went to a ‘Model C’ school, therefore I would be one of those young twenty somethingers dancing along with other youth members of the DA, wanting Hellen Zille to be my next president...right...wrong. I believe that this country is not ready for a white person to govern because we are scared of what may happen to the future of this country. Dlanga says, "It is simple. Black people want to do it for themselves. It seems like race, but it really doesn’t have to do with race even though everything seems black and white. It’s about pride. It is about proving to ourselves that we can do it on our own." Well said and explained Mr Dlanga.
I know that some people may not be able to swallow this very well, but in a free country like ours, it is the right time to tell the truth about this country. Some white people will be very sensitive towards this issue and some have already expressed their hard feelings on Mr Dlanga's comments, but what makes me happy is that the case is closed and nobody, no matter who you are, it cannot be tampered with.
Another reason the DA will not get a black folks vote is that we don’t trust them. I still have this feeling that a white person sees me as a black person and nothing but a black person because they pretend so much. Take for example when you walk in a shopping mall and pass by a white person, they will automatically smile at you, but when you are gone that smile is wiped away immediately. Why do they feel the need to do this? Don’t shake your head, you exactly what I am talking about. That’s why the DA didn’t get the majority of black people’s votes because we just don’t trust them. Yes I said and it’s true!
We are the next generation and need to look at what needs to be done in order to fix the wrongs of our leaders and part of the fixing involves telling the truth.
Firstly, Let us not forget that among the major contributing factors to wanting to do things on our own is the perspective that the rest of the world has about African states as a whole. The fact that we are viewed as uncivilised heathens has led to individual countries, like South Africa, habouring feelings that suggest that by allowing white man to take control one assumes defeat thus approving this perspective and echoing the useless nature of black-people.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, One need consider the fact that because South Africa is predominantly comprised of black people the cultural and racial diversities that are evident do not suggest yielding to the white man as being the most plausible of options. As it stands; values, principles and aspects such as the traditions of black people have withered - and this can be attributed to white man's control and influence over the past decades. Thus by black people remaining in power, there exists the possibility of retaining and preserving what little element of "blackness" remains in our society.
Lastly the 'us' verses 'them' concepts contribute to the lack of trust across the racial bar. It is without doubt that given the chance most people would choose to further the development of one of their own as opposed to those external to them. Thus by allowing people that are not part of the black-network to govern means that we further weaken any chances we have of black man redeeming his former glory. We also put ourselves in a position where we stand to cripple those efforts that have led to growth and development among black South Africans***
I hear you very well and if you listened to the Annual Thabo Mbeki Lecture yesturday which was delivered by Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr Benjamin Mkapa former President of Tanzania pointed out that we as Africans should start doing things for ourselves and start developing our continent without the help from countries out of Africa.
ReplyDeleteI think this is the same statement Mr Dlanga was trying to imply, that black people want to prove to themselves that after we won elections and started to govern South Africa, a huge responsibility was bestowed upon us and therefore the majority still believes in the government. The economy is still owned by white people in this country and therefore, black people want to claim it, hence we had the land reform for example. I think that black people just want to take the responsibility of developing their country and own what they belong to them.
let us assume that the were two cities/villages/towns separated buy a bridge and the bridge gets swept away and some good natured person decides to build the bridge again which is a logical thing to do. is it not petty for the people affected to debate the amount of melanin the good natured person should have in order to "qualify " to build the broken bridge an restore order ?
Deletewhat does rainbow nation mean then ? you are hitch hiking to a particular destination, due to a problem of lack of transport, will you turn down "white " people who offer you a lift in their mercs, bmw, toyotaz etc... reason being you are waiting for an "african" to solve your problem of lack of transport ?
This to me defies logic, which all africans possess of course.