If we are honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that independence in Africa is not all that it has promised to be. The cases of corruption, abuse, war-mongering and dictatorship are well documented and need not be mentioned here. What I would like to mention though is that most of these independence movements quickly moved to Nationalise (that 'N' word) what they considered 'National' assets. Inveriably, these were most often mines as they are often very lucrative and the newly independent state needed money to repair the corruption, abuse, war-mongering and dictatorship of the coloniser. In most cases, Nationalisation was a failure since bribery, corruption and mismanagement destroyed any hopes of development for the country.
In recent months, South Africa has had to deal with the surfacing of the 'N' word and quite frankly it has terrified many people. One of my students (sorry, learners) asked what I thought about it and after some thought I gave the following reply:
If we look at the track record of Nationalisation around the world, there is a lot to fear. However, the ANC has proved to the world that it is able to do what everyone else said was impossible. Remember the free and fair elections, remember the embrace of white people as part of this country, remember them having two-thirds majority but not changing the Constitution. So it seems as if the ANC is capable of breaking out of the shackles that seem to have enslaved so many other independence movements.
But on the other hand, if we are to accept government taking over the mines we need to take a look at what government is currently running and how well (or not) they are doing: Eskom is in trouble, SAA has been running at a loss for years, the SABC is a shambles, Health Care is dismal, Education is falling apart (there are fewer libraries and Science Labs in government schools today than in 1994... FEWER! What did they do with them?), Home Affairs, Licensing Department and Border control are beset with problems! Actually, if I think about it, there seems to be no government-run business entity that has a permanent CEO (or the equivalent). The government is not only doing badly, but seems to have made many things worse!
If we take a non-biased look, we could say that the government has its hands full trying to take care of what it already has in its basket, it makes no sense adding an additional weight. Until they prove themselves with what they are currently busy with, I would say they should not even be thinking about Nationalising anything!
Your views?
wow, i like it, all your agruments make sense and really probe my mind into thought. Usually my thoughts about this country are so scattered and drenched in confusion that I dont know where to start. You point out things that i didnt even know, and in a way it is dishartening to read them. However something in my heart tells me that South Africa will not fall into the trap that most think we are inevitably walking into. I have faith that the old ANC's efforts will not be in vain and this country was saved because it is truely an exceptional light to the world,with exceptional people living in it. We were chosen and we need to fall into our inheritance. we all need to see what we have been given by those who fought for our freedom and ultimately empowering us to change.We need to cast our minds back and remember the hearts of the people who saved this country from fire and total in-consequence. We are an African country who holds the banner of hope. I am proud to call myself south African. I wish more people would read this, as ignorance is a common thing in our country.
ReplyDeleteIt does appears that one of the by products of our information overload area is an acute manipulation of masses at emotional levels
ReplyDeleteThis pertains not only to politics , but health matters, environmental matters, human rights etc..
I would encourage everyone receiving emails, especially those designed to produce a reaction, or simply reading the result of a "googled " matter, to carefully research the given information and the credibility of it's source.
When in doubt, refrain from joining the crowd...
Our emotions are powerful let us harness them to the good, not allow them to be used and misused.
I have read some where that in the end days it will be harder to tell the truth from the lies....
:)
oops! the above comment was meant to apply to the Julius Malema Facebook saga...
ReplyDeletesigh