6 - 08 December 2013 - The Observer
6 - 16 February 2014 - The Observer
Comment:
COMMENT
An Unhinged Political Economy
Comment & Analysis
Mandela legacy – peace
Renamo a security
Comment & Analysis
but poverty for blacks
threat to region
Comment & Opinion
Mandela:
R Comment:
Mandela legacy – peace
W
I
An African icon but poverty for blacks
Mandela:
on African terms I
An African icon
6 - 08 ecent media reports2013 salaries of individuals working in state related
December on the - The Observer
corporations and public services have brought issues of public accountability,
transparency and corruption to the fore. Opinions have ranged from complete disgust at the levels of decadent opulence to general politicization of
the matter. This latter point in relation to Zanu Pf factions slugging it out in the media
in a tit for tat battle at damaging personal but faction related expose’s. Even if rather
muted but all the same remaining a staple of the contemporary national political rumour
mill.
In some instances, the shock at such profligacy has come from new or recently reappointed cabinet ministers. When explaining themselves in Parliament they have sought to
distance themselves from the scandalous remuneration figures and promised to deal with
the matters with the requisite seriousness.
Some of the ministers have taken on a “crusader” role in the matter. They have issued
ultimatums and statements of intent for media consumption with limited little changing
in reality.
The bigger issues however, remain how these shocking revelations are indicative of
n mourning former South African President Nelson Mandela, everyone will want
to claim him for theirsociety’s elite and is a good thing. And the probable truth that all
an exposure of our own. And that corrupt underbelly.
the special utility to claim him as part confessionals about their own countries’
Some will want vehicles, humongous houses in the leafy environs of Glen Lorne, Borcomplicity inBrook orapartheid. Hills, are not necessarily premised on honest hard work.
rowdale aiding Chishawasha
In all of the matters domestic, continental player has been the state and its
Others as participants inbeing reported, the centraland global struggles that brought
down the last bastion local, national or public-private partnership levels. What this points to
resources. Be it at of settler colonialism in Africa.
n still in their own the state/government to acquire wealth beyond reason players
Othersmourningthe use offailures and fervent desire to be judged as better and with
is a culture of former South African President Nelson Mandela, everyone will want
to claim him for
in the struggles against colonialism and imperialism.
shocking impunity. their own. And that is a good thing.
Some will therefore ceases to as part confessionals about their their particular
Like everyone else, I will join the queue. I will however claim Nelson Mandela as an
The problemwant to claim him be just about dishonest individuals orown countries’
complicity in aiding apartheid.
African icon before being held in awecharacter of a state that steals from its own people.
factions in Zanu PF. It takes on the by his global reach.
Others
An How elseicon one explain thedomestic, continental and global struggles thatgood end
African as participants inthat before we were enamoredserve the public a global
in the sense fact that individuals entrusted to to Mandela as brought
down thecan bastion of settler colonialism in Africa.
last
brand (as they say in marketing)fromwas same?
upOthers still beyond measure he the an African leader faced with decisions as
benefitting in their
tough as those that facedown failures and fervent desire to be judged as better players
other African icons of his and later times.
The elephant against colonialism is not the amount
i n the struggles in the room however and imperialism. of money that is being paid to
He individuals in the public or commercialized ‘acceptable Instead it is how the statewould
was never a leader to be deemed the state sectors. type’. Otherwise they all
Like everyone else, I will join the queue. I will however claim Nelson Mandela as an
not have had him and others imprisoned on the infamous Robben Island for so many
African icon before being held in awe by And only reach.
along turned a blind eye to such profligacy. his global to have these issues emerging in
years.
An African icon in the sense that
the heat of Zanu Pf factionalism. before we were enamored to Mandela as a global
Neither was he one to betray either his causeAfricancomrades in the fight against
brand (as they saythe government did was know of these salaries andwith decisions as
in marketing) he not an or his leader faced
There was
apartheid. Heis no way a romantic who viewed of his and latereither benefits. Even a
tough as thosenot faced other African icons people from times. a religious or
that
where there has been
messianic standpoint. action that includes suspension from office of individuals conHe was never a leader to be deemed the ‘acceptable type’. Otherwise they would
is that of his placement in history, even before
He cerned the reality of the matterimprisoned on the infamous Robben become a place the
was a leader who was cognizant public office has unfortunately Island for so many
not have had him and others
where one television, internet and mass marketing. The
age of satellite can get rich quick. And this at unexplainable levels.‘feel good’ portrayals of
years.
this African icon, came long betrayhe hadisdecidedhave athe struggle the fight against
What it all eventually comes mean that we that comrades the state. Or that
Neither was he one to afterto either his cause or his state withinin for his people’s
freedom country Heliving not political and who viewed people fromwhich those few that are
our shall be his life. a romantic economic realities. One in either a religious or a
apartheid. is was two
messianic standpoint.
I do not for once think higher echelons envisaged himself becoming the iconic figure
directly connected to that Mandela of state office live in phenomenal luxury. While the
that would adorn murals, cupscognizant of his liveprimary in history, even before the
He was a are materially cajoled to cast votes placement task was, together with
majority that leader who was and t-shirts. His in a poverty only alleviated by the
age of benevolence.
others and in a multi-racial fashion, the pursuit marketing. The ‘feel good’ portrayals of
latter’s satellite television, internet and mass of the goals of the Freedom Charter.
this African there are fellow Africans decided that the
after he had who will attempt to mistakenly view
It is trite thaticon, came longof rather odd philanthropy, such struggle for his people’s
Hence there
as the personal sponfreedom shall are occasions
Mandela from thebe his life.
perspective of not having achieved the goals of the Freedom
soring of the national football team (and envisaged fans) when essentially it iconic figure
I as thoughonce think it alone.
do not for he wrote that Mandela even team himself becoming the should be
Charter
largely payingadorn murals,alternatively t-shirts. His primary taskduring together camthat would for itself. Or cups and shockingly high donations was, elections with
Or others thatin a multi-racial fashion, themistakes in relation to the CODESA talks
those and will argue that he made pursuit
paigns that when analysed further are indicative of of the goals of thethan seeking public
literal vote buying Freedom Charter.
that led to majority black government in South Africa. Apart from theirs being an
It is trite basis of leadership merit.
that there are fellow Africans who will attempt to mistakenly view
office on the
opinion that we must respect, we would have to point out that this is a mistaken and
Mandelaisfrom the perspective of not having achieved the goals of the Freedom
What of the man.
that we
ahistorical viewthen observable is it alone.have a political economy that has gone off its
Charter as though he wrote
hinges. and even Oliver Tambo’s
corruption but more to generational task was
a state
Mandela Not only due to individual he revolutionary anddo with to the that rewards to
Or those that will argue that
made mistakes in relation
CODESA talks
the ANC to majority Africagovernment in South Africa. Apart from of what is still
lead the mediocre for political loyalty.attain independence as a first stagetheirs being an
and South black to
that led
referredAnd this iswe must respect, Ever since have to (NDR). what we haveareferred to and
to as the where the rub is. we would the adoption of
opinion that National Democratic Revolution point out that this is mistaken as
ahistorical view ofis no politics without stages, theythe commercialization of pubpublic private partnerships and
And because there the man. the wholesale adoption of were correct to negotiate
with the white Nationalists for an inclusivebecome murkier.constitution. making profit
lic Mandela andpublic accountability hasrevolutionary and generational task was to
corporations, even Oliver Tambo’s and ceasefire The motive of
lead the task of the revolutionto attain was and remains a first subsequent cadres
That initial reduced largely to monetary terms and not service provision.
has been ANC and South Africa done, it independence as up to stage of what is still
referred continue working
as the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).the rest of the
of the NDR toto monetary terms oftowards the fulfillment of to how much theaspirations
And the
reference have been limited
heads of
And because there is no politics without stages, they were correct to negotiate
of the antichief executives earn as opposed to how much is actually contributed to the betterapartheid struggle.
these the white Nationalists for an inclusive and ceasefire constitution.
with
In Nkrumahistinfrastructure or systems that improve an actual publ ic service.anticipation
ment of the parlance, Mandela sought first the political kingdom in Hence for
That initial task of the follow.
revolution
that everything else would the PSMAS done, it was and remains up to subsequent cadres
example the to continue working towards the fulfillment of the restindividuals acquired
still revolves solely around what of the aspirations
of the NDR debate over
It hasopposed apartheid struggle.
of been slow for the South Africans, but it is that the country has been experiencas the anti to the dilapidated public health servicea process that remains democratic
and is most definitely underway. There was never going to be a complete departure
ingIn Nkrumahist parlance, Mandela sought first the political kingdom in anticipation
in shocking decline over the last twenty years.
from the past in South Africa just as there has never been a complete departure from
that everything else would follow.
These developments
the same in Zimbabwe. are however a combination of both the public and private secIt has been slow for the South Africans, but it is a process that remains interaction
been an democratic
Wetors still grapple with underway. There where and when there hascomplete departure
all of the national economy. Especially was never going imperialism. We however
and is most definitely the vagaries of colonialism and to be a
of beholden to them. Nationalist sentiment alone is not enough either for
are primarily motivated by a
are not what are deemed best practices in corporations thatbeen a complete departure from
from the past in South Africa just as there has never
pursuit of in Zimbabwe.
South Africa ormonetary profit. To use the same model for public service related endeavours
the same for Zimbabwe.
has unfortunately ended up the heads of public that we must navigate our they
Mandela, like Nyerere with withvagaries of colonialism and imperialism. We however
We all still grapple and Cabral, taught us corporations wrongly assuming ideals
with are in similar situations them. Nationalist sentiment alone is not enoughnot a profit
what is most pragmatic while ensuring colleagues. That is to say, assuming forget
are not beholden to to their private sector that future generations do either for
South framework Zimbabwe.
that their task is or foreven where there is none.higher stages and within generational
sharingAfrica to take our revolutions to
contexts. it is, there will no doubt be more “revelations”. Some of which will appear like
Mandela, like Nyerere and Cabral, taught us that we must navigate our ideals
As
with whatvendetta but will however be in the public interest.generationsquestion forget
politicized is most pragmatic while ensuring that future The bigger do not is how
that their task is to take our revolutions to higher stages and within generational
to remedy these symptoms of a state that has become an arena for self aggrandizement.
contexts.
And unfortunately, as with everything else, it is the politics of it that will triumph with
loyalties bring traded off until such a time a ceasefire is reached. Then its probably back
to state-business unusual.■
I on African terms
I
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acceptanceimplement its indigenisation policy.
Peter Fabricius South Africa.
intends to that in its sparring with thenBY REUTERS hile South Africa, like just about president FW de sees this the early 1990s, the
The EU also Klerk in uncertainty about the
ANC under Mandela, a self-confessed economic
everyone else, is focusing its protection of investments in Zimbabwe as a
N the 10 years after he withdrew from novice, focused too much on the quest for
attention on civil wars to the regional issue, having noted power.
public life, Nelson Mandela divided his time political rather than economicthe spat with South
north, the low-level conflict that
In over its unilateral the ANC’s bilateral
between a mansion in one of Johannesburg’s Africa less polite terms,cancellation of stance
recently erupted between his ancestral home in translated into a quipdraws some comfort from
wealthiest suburbs and Mozambique’s Frelimo investment treaties. It popular at the dinner
acceptance
wealthy is currently thenQunu, a village in old civil-war foe, Renamo, is the factthat SADCsparring with working the
government and its South Africa’s impoverished parties ofthat in itswhites: “We’ll give them on an
BY REUTERS
president but keepKlerk in the early 1990s, the placing
vote FW deprotection code, and it is also
eastern Cape.
slowly spreading.
investment the banks.”
William in a self-confessed economic
The contrast could his party’s home province some hope Gumede, a that SADC is formally
not have been starker. ANC under Mandela, the fact professor at Wits
From the10 years of
novice, focused too in Johannesburg, for
N one, origins after he were cast in
In the his neighbours withdrew from the Business School much on the questsaid it was
of Sofala, life, Nelson “Rand Lords”, the time has wrong to argueeconomic power. out.
public the white Mandela divided his mining reviewing its election standards.
image of Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama political rather than that Mandela sold
between a mansion in who built launch attacks
recently projected enough power to the sprawling In less polite was economic negotiations were
The EU terms,
invited
Zimbabwean
“However, the notthe ANC’sbystance
magnates and bankers one of Johannesburg’s
translated robust quip political to send said.
w ealthiest provincesand his ancestral home in the not as into Robert popular at the dinner election
suburbs biggest economy -Niassa and President a as theMugabe ones,” he an
into other Africa’s such as Nampula, from
city - and
Qunu, a village in South Africa’s impoverished parties of wealthy whites: “We’ll give them the
“There was a glib last year’s polls, most in
vast gold reserves in the rock southern province
Tete. The latest incursion in thebeneath their feet. observer mission to acceptance amongand clearly
vote but keep the banks.”
eastern Cape.
In the other, they not toblack peasant lucrative William Gumede, they professor do was capture
were threaten the farmers the ANC that all unconvinced at Wits African
of Inhambane has begun have been starker.
remains rather a needed to by the
The contrast could
and then they could transform
living in thatched “rondavel” huts especially. Business School
tourismone, his neighbours were cast in the out political (AU)inand SADC’s assessments that the
Union power, Johannesburg, said it was
In business from South Africa and eking
a living the white “Rand Lords”, the mining wrong economy. Mandelasimplistic argument, and
image of on windswept hillsides in scenes that theto argue thatIt was avictories – for both Mugabe
Renamo is posing another significant threat to overwhelming official sold out.
it was also the Mandela
have hardly bankers in centuries, sprawling
magnates andchanged who built the let alone the “However, the economic argument.” were
the economy by attacking traffic apartheid. south- in Southpresidential thenegotiations
main
the Africa and raceworld Zanu-PF awe
and
two-decades since the end of on thefrom the not as robust as the political ones,” he watched in in the
said.
city and Africa’s biggest economy northgold reservesquery rock beneath their feet. the “There was February 11, 1990, Mandela left Cape
EN1 highway, the Mandela’s achievement when, on a glib acceptance among most in
and threatening to attack
legislative contest – were ‘credible’.
vastWhile few in
vitalInrailway line carryingblack peasant farmers the ANC that all they needed to about the elections will
The EU’s Verster prison and raised
in dragging South were coal exports the brink Town’s Victorambivalence do was capture his fist
the other, they Africa back from from the
living in thatched “rondavel” huts and eking out political power, and crowds as could transform on his
of civil war in the early to the port of Beira.
north-western Tete province1990s and brokering in salute toto anthen theyambivalent decision when
likely lead the equally he stepped out
a Yet, you would hardly hillsides in scenes alarming economy. It was a simplistic argument, and - the
a living on windsweptthree centuries of that the and the nation’s “Long Walk to Freedom”
peaceful end to know about these white it meets to review its sanctions (or ‘restrictive
have hardly changed inquestions are alone the it was also the Mandela argument.”
dominance, tougher centuries, let beingor even title of his subsequent autobiography.after boycott
developments from the dearth of official asked South Africa on Zimbabwe. It was only awe
measures’) and the world watched in
two the country he leaves of apartheid.
The start of a momentous political transition,
of decades since the end behind.
media attention. querycan partly be explained by the threats by SADC, in Mandela left Cape Brussels
While few This Mandela’s achievement when, wasFebruary 11,moment in the evolution of a
Despite more than 10 years of affirmative it on also a key 1990, particular, that
Town’s of
Verster prison home and fist
in that tosimmering conflict in under the banner decidedMandela both at and – and abroad.
factdraggingredress Africa back from the brinkdoes cultVictorto invite Mugabe raised hisnot just the
action a South the balance Mozambique
of fit in with the early 1990s and brokering that Zimbabwean government – to the 4th EU-Africa
not civil war in anyone’s narrative – which South salute to the crowds as he stepped out on his
Man and myth
of “black economic empowerment”, is in
a peaceful end to three centuries of white and the nation’s “Long Walk to Freedom” - the
the
Africa Africa one of the world’s most unequal summit in he was awardedthough the Peace
southernremainsis Africa’s mostare being region. title of In 1993, April; autobiography. Nobel soon-tohis subsequent this even
dominance, tougher questions peaceful asked
Prize, jointly with de Klerk, still in 1995 under
and officially
societies and he Union behind.
whites still control huge swathes The start of a momentous political transition,he won a
ofAs a country leaves (EU) official recently said, be nonagenarian leader is
the European
of Despite more
the Africa should be doing more to reap it over all keythe most in the evolution of a
southerneconomy.than 10 years of affirmative the was also abuttravel ban. diehard right-wingers as he
European moment
In the words of leading the unionist of Mandela both at home and abroad.
action to benefitsthefor itself undertradebanner for saluted the overwhelmingly white Springbok side
economic redress – balance and perhaps also cult The EU is concerned that what it clearly regards
that won the
Zwelinzima Vavi, its empowerment”, South
of “black economic structure is akin to an Irish Man and myth Rugby World Cup in Johannesburg.
the continent as at whole – of being Africa’swhite as He overly lenient assessment by SADC of the
most
an is immortalised in a stained
coffee - black a of bottom, most unequal
In 1993, he was awarded the Nobelglass window
Peace
Africa remains one thethe world’swith some
politically andsprinkling of chocolate on the top. Prize, jointly withgiant Regina Mundi church; the other
Zimbabwe de Klerk, and in spread to
in Soweto’s elections, might 1995 he wonstatues
froth and a whites still control huge swathes
societies stable and secure region.
demonstrating, six regional dancing, this year.or is hoping hefist are
over all him elections boxing It raising his
ofBut, eco nomy. a white ishousehold earns that of but the most diehard right-wingers asthat SADC’s
the as Mozambique
On average,
In should not black one, granted.
times more than be leading trade unionist saluted the of electoral country; and in 2012 the
stabilitythe words aof taken for and nearly one in dottedoverwhelmingly white Springbok side stricter
review across the standards will lead to
Zwelinzima Vavi, its structure is akin to anwith one central bank issued aCup of Johannesburg.
three blacks is unemployed, compared out that won the Rugbymemberset in bank notes bearing
The same EU official also pointed Irish that adherence of World states to the standards.
He isface.
immortalised in
coffee whites. at the bottom, with some white
his This should be a stained glass window
in 20 - black common risks
there and a sprinkling of chocolateto stability that Soweto’s giant Regina done sooner rather than later.
some
in
Mundi church; statues
froth are ratios are fodder for critics of the 1994
on the top.
The announcement about the notes came on
Such
can On discerned across household earns sixrisks him dancing, boxing or raising his fist are circulate
be average, a white the region. These
Ruling liberation movements invariably
of February 11, the 22nd anniversary of his release
settlement that brought the curtain down on
times more than a black one, and year, when five the across the they will govern ‘until the
are particularly pertinent institutionalised white- frommyth that country; and in 2012 the Second
nearly half a century of this nearly one in dotted prison.
three blacks is the Southern African with one central bank issued a set of bank Zuma infamously put
countries from unemployed, comparedDevelopment Coming,’ as President Jacob notes bearing
In such an atmosphere, it was perhaps
minority rule and saw Mandela anointed South
his face.
in 20 whites.
inevitable that some presented came is fiveAfrica’sratios black president.
first are fodder for critics of the 1994
Community (SADC) will be holding elections: The The grave danger episodes ofby thison that the
it. announcement about the notes his single
Such
The numbers Africa, Botswana, Namibia myth becomes anniversary of his more
Mozambique, Southalso the curtain down on Februaryterm as22ndself-fulfilling. Theover. a ruling
settlement that brought support the anecdotal year 11, the president are glossed release
His
evidence from wealthy institutionalised white- - party remainspersonal friendship with Libyan
nearly half
and Malawi. a century of urban neighbourhoods from prison.close in power, the more everyone fears
leader Colonel Muammar it was drew criticism
including Mandela’s Houghton - where,South
19 years In such an atmosphere, Gaddafiperhaps
minority rule and saw Mandela anointed of young that dislodging it will prove more de-stabilising
These include a growing populace
after the birth of his “Rainbow Nation”, most - and that some episodes of his single five- said:
inevitable a fierce rebuttal from Mandela, who
Africa’s first black president.
people, who arepeople unemployed and increasingly “Those who it in irritated by our friendship with
of The black largely tosupport the anecdotal year than leaving feel power.
the numbers also be seen are housemaids, term as president are glossed over.
disenchanted by slow economic growth – which is His That fear was palpable jump in the pool.” last
Presidentpersonal friendship Zimbabwe before
security from wealthy urban neighbourhoods close Gaddafi can go in with Libyan
evidence guards or gardeners.
in any case not being widely -experienced by the year’s elections, when even MDC supporters feared
including Mandela’s Houghton where, doing good
The 2010 “blood diamonds” testimony of
“Mandela has gone a bit too far in 19 years leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi drew criticism
afterpartly because communities, really most - British supermodel Naomi Campbell at a Hague
to the birth of his corruption.
elite,the non-black of“Rainbow Nation”, in some and a fierce rebuttal wouldMandela, who said: Zanu-PF
their own party from win and prompt
ofSADC, the people official(blacks),” Zimbabwean war who feelmount aalsoour friendship with
the black the to be observed, is Africa’s generals to irritated coup.
cases at as expense of seen are housemaids, “Those crimes tribunal by shone an uncomfortable
President on a dinnergo jump in hosted in 1997 for
security guards or gardeners.said in a
light Gaddafi can Mandela the pool.”
President Robert Mugabe
youngest region from a political pointdocumentary The This clearly formed part of the thinking behind
2010 “blood diamonds” testimony presence
“Mandela has gone a bit too far in in of view, with Liberian warlord Charles Taylor, whoseof
doing good
aired on South African television May 2013.
on average the fewest years since independence or both former president Thabo at a Hague Zuma’s
Mbeki and
to the non-black communities, really in some British the table called into question South Africa’s
at supermodel Naomi Campbell
“That’s being too saintly, too good.”
crimes tribunal also shone uncomfortable
cases at the expense of (blacks),” Zimbabwean
liberation. us down” - Winnie.The defenders ofwar ‘ethical’ foreign policy. an which really just took
mediation in Zimbabwe,
“He let
President Robert Mugabe said inaa stabilising factor, the country back to square one. 1997 for that has
In one way this is probably documentary light on a dinner Mandela hosted in Whether a $5
Then there is the infamous ‘Arms Deal’,
Mandela’s settlement note that Mugabe’s violent
Liberian warlord Charles Taylor, whose presence
aired on South African television in May 2013.
seizure party that saintly,havegood.”
white-owned too in neighbouring billion called into question Southof discontent and
since the ofbeing toowould farmsattained liberation the tabledefence equipment contract that erupted
addressed the underlying sources Africa’s
at
“That’s
isZimbabweindown”2000 triggered though, of that intoforeignis very unclear. Mandela’s successor,
often stillus from - Winnie.Th e defenders is ‘ethical’ a massive scandal for
control. The danger, an eight-year instability policy.
“He let
economic collapse note that Mugabe’s fall in
Mandela’s parties develop a sense his violent the Thabo Mbeki, infamous crisis Deal’, a $5
such rulingsettlement and confirmedof entitlement Then there is theand remains thein Mozambique are
The reasons for the ‘Arms defining episode
eyes ofof white-owned farms in neighbouring billion the ANC’s slide from post-apartheid grace.
outsiders from respected liberation hero in defence equipment contract that erupted
seizure
to power. The lines between ruling party and perhaps murkier. Dhlakama is clearly another
Amid scandal for Mandela’s successor,
to international 2000 triggered an eight-year into a massive fierce criticism of Mbeki and the
Zimbabwe from pariah.
government criticism indistinguishablyfall echoesand current president, Jacob Zuma, also embroiled
Yet his become of Mandela finds in the Thabo Mbeki, and remains the defining episode
economic collapse and confirmed his blurred, in Savimbi: a perpetual malcontent unable to accept
those ofcorners offrom African National Congress the ANC’splace. manypost-apartheid grace. entirely for
eyes further from the trough liberation hero in in the furore, from South blamed him chosen
some outsiders the respected grow increasingly second slide SADC has Africans have
to international pariah.
discontented. 101-year-old liberation movement Amid latest that the deal wasmost and theobservers
the fierce criticism Yet, first other
to forget eruptions. of Mbeki announced in
(ANC), the
Yet histhe forces with the unions and and believe Frelimo must also bear embroiled
criticism of movement eventually current president, Jacob Zuma, also office.
that joined liberationMandela finds echoes in the 1998, when Mandela was still insome of the blame
When
some corners Party to
On many South of for sprawling
Communist of the African National Congress in the furore,the streets Africans have chosen black
inevitably exhausts its topple apartheid.and begins – for running the countrythe too long, largely for
liberation credit
(ANC), the 101-year-old with the wife of British forget that the deal was first where police and
In a 2010real threat from the opposition, the township of Soweto, announced in
interview liberation movement to its own benefit.
to confront aforces with the unions and the 1998, when Mandela was still in office.
that joined Naipaul, the anti-apartheid firebrand disgruntled unemployed youngsters still face off
author V.S.
results can be messy – as weapartheid.
The reasons for southern Africa’s relative
Communist Party thetopple saw in Zimbabwe.
in the streets of the sprawling black
and “Mother of to Nation” Winnie Madikizela- On sporadic, violent protests over poor housing
In a 2010is back in with the in Harare, but the stability areSoweto, where police varied. Having
interview control wife of British township of
Zanu-PF
no doubt many and and
Mandela accused her former husband of and public services, there are plenty who do not
disgruntled unemployed core country face off
author V.S. Naipaul, the anti-apartheid firebrand not South Africa as its youngsters still is surely a major
credibility ofafterelectoral victory last July years in buy the Mandela myth.
has
selling out its being broken by Madikizela- in sporadic, violent protests over poor housing
and “Mother of the Nation” Winnie his 27
“Mandela kept on saying: who not
apartheidaccused her former The aftermath factor; but the stability plenty‘I amdode for oneprisons.
been universally acknowledged. husband of and public services, there are produced byherefactothe
Mandela
“Mandela did go against theand he went in the Mandela myth.
to prison 27 years in buy party rule is another.
of its bitter struggle broken by hisMovement for people, I am the servant of the nation.’ What
selling out after being
he kept on saying: ‘I am on for doorstep
there as Change
apartheidaprisons. (MDC) and the doldrum years did Yet,do? rumblings right here allowed
Democraticburning young revolutionary. But look “Mandela theHe signed papers that our the white in
the of the nation.’ What
what came out,”go to prison and as saying. in people, I am the servant mines and the farms,” said
she was quoted
“Mandela did government have he went deep people to keep now in Mozambique, are a warning
of the coalition
left very
Zimbabwe, and
“Mandela let us down. He agreed to a
did 49-year-old Majozi Pilane, allowed white
there as a burning young revolutionary. But lookbad he do? He signed papers thatwho runs a roadside
wounds inthe blacks. waseconomy. saying. still on stall selling the mines and the farms,” said become
that keep sweets stability can eventually
deal came out,” she Economically,
people tothis factor of and cigarettes.
what for the country’s quoted as we are
Asoutside. let official said,isEuropean ainvestors the opposite.■Pilane, who runs a roadside poor
the EU useconomy agreed to ‘white’.
“Mandela The down. He very much bad 49-year-old Majozi
“He did absolutely nothing for all the
the
deal formostly sitting on their so many still on stall selling of this Foreign Editor,
are has athe blacks. Economically, we are waiting for people sweets and cigarettes. Independent Newspapers,
Peter Fabricius, country.”
It still few token blacks, but wallets, who gave
the outside. The struggle have policy. Particularly,
their on in the economy is very much ‘white’.
clarity life Zanu-PF’s economic died unrewarded.” “He did absolutely nothing Africa the poor
South for all
It has a fewamongblacks, but so many who gave people ofThe country.”
- this Telegraph
Even tokento see whether there is broad
academics, Zimbabwe really
they are waiting
their life in the struggle have died unrewarded.”
- The Telegraph
Even among a weekly there is
The Observer isacademics, Sunday broad
newspaper published by Woodberg
The Observer is a weekly Sunday
Advertising, Zimbabwe.
newspaper published by Woodberg
Editor: Barnabas Thondhlana
Advertising, Zimbabwe.
Email: thondhlana [email protected]
Editor: Barnabas Thondhlana
Cell: [email protected]
Email:0772964428
Cell: 0772964428
Address: The Media Centre
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