adminJOHANNESBURG. — About 21 years ago, we became the darling of the world when South Africa was freed from the cancer called apartheid.
We were called a “miracle nation” and a “rainbow nation” as we struggled and traversed through a dark period in our history and miraculously moved into the light without falling over the precipice into a civil war.
Observers the world over watched as we navigated our way to democracy. Thousands of people — of various tribes and cultures — thronged the Union Buildings to witness first-hand as the fate of our nation was sealed.
On May 10, 1994, as he was inaugurated the first democratically elected president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and the government of national unity stood tall on the words of the interim constitution and called for national unity and social cohesion.
We celebrated together: black and white, locals and foreigners, old and young. People literally held each other’s hands that day as they danced with joy.
It was Mandela’s words that echoed from the Union Buildings to the rest of the world, as cameras and recorders from every news organisation on the planet rolled and clicked ceaselessly:
“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world . . .”
Fast forward 21 years and we are forced to ask ourselves serious questions about the trajectory we are following as a nation.
Right now the “miracle nation” is ashamed.
The “rainbow nation” is being touted as nothing more than an optical illusion.
The violence against foreigners in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng has thrust our country into world headlines. Cameras and recorders roll again, but tell a horror story of fellow Africans who are treated inhumanely by bloodthirsty South Africans who murder and maim.
We have become the skunk of the world in the eyes of many across Africa.
Inasmuch as I am proud of this country, its people, the remarkable journey we travelled and everything good we have achieved, I am today ashamed and devastated that some of our countrymen have spat on our constitution and brought shame upon us through senseless, barbaric and evil acts of violence against our African brothers and sisters.
They have ignored and effectively launched a full-scale attack on our constitution which states: “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity . . .”
To this minority, I say: Not in my name! I still believe the majority of South Africans are good people; a peace-loving, caring people who ascribe to the constitution and laws of the land. I believe we are a nation that holds ubuntu in our hearts and have respect for human life. It is critical that we all stand up and condemn the attacks on foreigners in the strongest terms and speak out against the perpetrators.
How can we celebrate freedom when millions of African people suffer the indignity of poverty and war? How can we so easily forget what the rest of Africa did for us during the many years of our struggle?
Africa vowed never to dance to the soundtrack of freedom until we in the south were free. And now this? Wake up, Mzansi!
You have become too complacent and arrogant. Stop abusing God’s children for false motives and personal gratification! Vuku uzenzele! Bring back masakhane and let us rebuild from ashes.
It is never too late to grapple with the eternal meaning of love.
Let’s stand together, South Africa, and say: Not in our name!
We dare not keep quiet, lest we be accused of condoning it through our silence.
Darling or skunk of the world — the choice lies in our hands. — The Mercury.
Online Reporter