adminFarayi Matondo
2015 marks the celebrations of the 21st Anniversary of the coming of freedom in the country. It is worrying to note, however, that in the new dispensation, the local discourse in media and public space is sprouting up racism and how the people can uproot it.Mzanzi Africa people are confronting challenges as l see it, battling to be part of universal struggle for freedom and social justice.
Indeed it is a long walk to tolerance and embracement of people’s differences!
Living in a diverse mixed race society like Mzanzi Africa, you cannot rule out confronting and learning both positive and negative values that the society offers.
In this country, its certain to meet now and then, real experience of patriotism, benevolent citizens, audacious people, the attributes of working hard,prestige,identity,consciousness,xenophobia ,embracing one another just to mention a few.
Recently, addressing House of Parliament a last month, President Jacob Zuma called for a united front against racism in the Rainbow Nation.
“South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white . . . and the ANC Freedom Charter was adopted during the fight to end the white racist system of apartheid . . .”
It is quite disturbing in Mzanzi Africa today as now and then the country faces a new wave of attacks, under racism. The ideals of a world icon, great statesman Nelson Mandela, reconciliation policy instituted by the authorities upon culmination and the demise of apartheid system which gave birth to freedom on April 27 1994 is under threat.
Not long ago, I was puzzled to see grown up men, academics and school governing bodies segregating school kids in some classes according to the colour of their skin at Johannesburg’s Curro Roodeplaat Private School. Racism embattled Roodepoort Primary School where a school teacher caused an outrage by displaying offensive material and racism.
Strangely in institutions of learning, high events are exposed such as North West University in separate incidents in 2013 and 2014 whereby staff and students accused university management of discrimination on grounds of race, gender and sexuality.
Zvakaoma. This is quite shocking absurd, ugly indecent blatant pure racism perpetuated by whites to the blacks still continuing in the society post-apartheid.
A well-known Mzanzi Africa pop singer Steve Hofmeyr caused a public outcry late 2014 on racist comments that resulted in tensions and verbal assaults in the country.
Many people in fear of victimisation are believed to be concealing the horrendous and barbaric acts happening in new South Africa.
On another fresh twitter debate started by one Zelda van Riebeek in January, 2015 on why people do not exist without hate speech, volumes of tweets were exchanged in the conversation that reconciliation stayed out of race debates.
Considering efforts and measures of unity amongst all races in the Rainbow country, some scurrilous individuals are bent to destroy the harmony, tranquillity in one love and nation building prospects.
In the streets of Johannesburg in the same mad January this year, an offending K-Word racist graffiti was seen on a wall that the South African Human Rights Commission was concerned and were grappled on unfortunate incidents happening after 20 years of democracy.
In Mzanzi Africa l have noticed and read about many unfavourable incidents at work places in communities, entertainment areas and some sporting disciplines. The question remains the same, for how long shall racism subject people to this abnormality ridiculous affairs?
The wrong sensitive understanding of humanity carried out by the white generation to generation regarding the black man as a stooge object to this extent view of baffling acts of racism being widely reported in Mzanzi Africa community.
Since time immemorial, in my own view the Shona saying – Munhu wese ihama yako clearly justifying “welcoming the visitors to some scope of reality is questionable”.
Little did Africa know that the visit was not in passing, but quite alarming there comes the invasion of land, looting of rich minerals, heritage, slavery, colonialisation, segregation, imperialism, apartheid, racism and so on?
On the other hand, the new trends of way of life were in commotions – industrialisation, exploitation of the majority blacks ,urbanisation and the advent of cash economy etcetera.
The problems of racism confronting Mzansi Africa are not a passport to rebuke and dismiss the sovereignty of freedom.
l strongly believe in proper amicable solutions with everyone learning from the wounds of the past to bring harmony, treasures the gains of dawn of democracy and arrival of freedom in 1994.
These racist tendencies are outrageous. Though trying to justify separation, discrimination and segregation of the black race, it is confusing and interesting to note how some Africans have internalised these stereotypes about the inferiority of the Africans.
Furthermore, theauthorities, civic organisations and ordinary man in the streets always condemn such acts’ advocating stiffer penalties to the enemies of the people.
Justice must prevail in Mzanzi Africa and its a disgrace reality of a nation which several people see as a symbol of peace, hope, reconciliation, unity and unique multi diverse mixed race groups.
True sons and daughters of Africa, believe that the revolution and identity are not limited to our continent alone. This forms part of universal struggle for freedom, total independence, social justice and real one love.
Life goes on! Be courageous and strong. Tiritose.
Farayi Matondo is a budding writer on current affairs, creative writing and music who was born in Sakubva and grew up in Mutare. He can be contacted on email [email protected]
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