6 - 08 December 2013 - The Observer
6 - 2 March 2014 - The Observer
Comment:
COMMENT
Comment & Analysis
Mandela legacy – peace
THE TAX PAYERS AND
but poverty for blacks
THE TAX ‘PREYERS’
Comment & Opinion
Mr. Speaker Sir. Parliament
Mandela:
is not a University
An African icon I
T Comment:
Mandela legacy – peace
Z
on African terms but poverty for blacks
acceptance that in its sparring with thenpresident FW de Klerk in the early 1990s, the
ANC under Mandela, a self-confessed economic
N the 10 years after he withdrew from novice, focused too much on the quest for
publicimbabwe has largely been a nation at war political rather than economic power.
life, Nelson Mandela divided his time pocketed by Happison as part of his “salary”. This is
Comment & Analysis
In less polite terms, the ANC’s stance
between a mansion in one of Johannesburg’s
with itself because of the leaders we a whole location with 9600 households! God bless
wealt hiest suburbs and his ancestral home in translated into a quip popular at the dinner
have. in leaders are gifted at distracting Zimbabwe.
Qunu, a villageOurSouth Africa’s impoverished parties of wealthy whites: “We’ll give them the
public
This keep is by far a rich
eastern Cape. attention from deep-lying economic vote butnation the banks.” nation. If we were not
William Gumede,
professor a Wits
The by pretending to be doing something about a strong nation, we couldahave collapsed at long time
problems contrast could not have been starker.
In one, his they will be were cast in the ago. The School in Johannesburg, said it was
them, yet in reality, neighbours concealing more than Business level of systematic looting is so shameful and
image of the white “Rand is not governed by the horrible that a poor nation cannot stand such
they will be revealing. Zimbabwe Lords”, the mining wrong to argue that Mandela sold out. devastation.
“However, the economic negotiations were
magnates and bankers who built the sprawling
best, but by those available. We are perpetually cursed by The government will not carry out a widespread anticity - and Africa’s biggest economy - from the not as robust in the political ones,” he said.
acceptance that as its sparring with thenour leaders. reserves in the rock beneath their feet.
corruption initiative inacceptance among of worms.
BY REUTERS
president FW de Klerkbecause it will open a canmost in
“There was a glib the early 1990s, the
vast gold
ANC under Mandela, self-confessed parallel
As part other, they were Dramapeasant farmers the ANC that allathey needed toeconomic to every
of our National black Festivals, we are With succession disputes running do was capture
In the
now N in thatcheda“rondavel” huts and eking out political initiave no much onthey could transforman
introduced years after he withdrew from novice, focused too matter how genuine, for
living the 10 to new comedy called “salarygate”. national power, and then the questforget about
public life, Nelson Mandela divided his time political rather than economic power.
a living onawindswept one of Johannesburg’sthat In less polite It anti-corruption drivestance possibly
Can somebody tell us when exactly did in dawn on those the economy. terms, a the ANC’sargument, and
all-encompassing was simplistic
which
between mansion in hillsides it scenes
have hardly changedsomecenturies, let government it was also thequip popular at the dinner
in executives in alone the begins into a Mandela argument.”
powers responsible that his ancestral home in translated at Chiadzwa!
wealthiest suburbs and
two decades in the end than the United States
of wealthy has ceased world them of economic
Qunu, a weresinceSouth Africa’s impoverished parties South Africa and the to be a watched in awe
parastatals village earning more of apartheid.
Zimbabwe whites: “We’ll give land the
vote but keep February
eastern Cape.
While few query Mandela’s achievement when, on the banks.”11, 1990, Mandela left Cape
President? It is wrong and very criminal for somebody William Gumede, a professor at Wits
opportunities largely because of the Zanu PF-authored
in The contrast couldAfrica back from the brink Town’s Victor Verster prison and raised his fist
dragging South not have been starker.
atof In one, his neighbours 1990s 000 dollars while in salute to the crowds as he stepped was on doubt
PSMAS war in themuch as were cast in the Business School in Johannesburg, said There is no his
civil to earn as early $250 and brokering economic policies of self-destruction. it out
image of the white “Rand away at the private wrong to the next governmentsold have to adopt
the tax-payers are being turnedLords”, bothmining and and the nation’s “Long Walkout. Freedom” -radical,
the
a peaceful end to three centuries of white that argue that Mandela will to
“However, the economic negotiations were
magnates and bankers who built the sprawling
dominance, for non-payment of bills by the not as robust assubsequent ones,” he said.
being asked painful his the to restore economic sanity
public hospitalstougher questions are fromthe same title of measurespolitical autobiography. and order. I
city - and Africa’s biggest economy of gold reserves in the rock beneath is wrong
organisation paying that much. Just like ittheir feet.for a “There was ofglibaacceptance among most in current
amThe start of next government because the
talking a the momentous political transition,
vastthe country he leaves behind.
Despite more than black peasant farmers tune it was also a freshmoment do wasevolution of a
In to gather, drink, were 10 years of affirmative ANC that all they needed to in the “an overwhelming
the other, they make merry and feast at the the government, key from winning capture
clique
living into redress the balance under the banner cult of Mandelathen theyhome and abroad.
action thatched “rondavel” huts and eking out political power, and both at could transform
of living on windswept hillsides are scenes that with economy. It was a simplistic argument, and and out
beasts
the victory against imperialists”, looks clueless, tired
a 90 “black while some families in threatened
Man and myth
of
economic empowerment”, South
extinction by achanged ofdam wall! letmost unequal was also 1993, is not an active government; it is reactive. It
options. It he was awarded
have hardly collapsing centuries,
in the world’s alone the it of In the Mandela argument.” the Nobel Peace
Africa remains one
two decades sinceZimbabwe isapartheid.
Corruption in the end of so rampant swathes South Africa and the world watched in their “victory”
that the Prize, jointly with de Klerk,to do in 1995 he won
seems they do not know what and with awe
societies and whites still control huge
While few query Mandela’s achievement when, on February 11, 1990, Mandela left Cape
current haphazard approach backare witnessing is very over allto talk about it, and ofright-wingers as he
except but the most diehard course fist
of the economy.
in dragging South Africa we from the brink To wn’s Victor Verster prison and raised hisreminding the
In war in know this is not trade fight in common folk about he sweetness of this
disheartening. We the early leadingand brokering but salute to the crowds asthe stepped out on hisvictory by
of civil the words of 1990s a genuineunionist saluted the overwhelmingly white Springbok side
Zwelinzima Vavi, its structure is akin towhite and the won the Rugby World Cup in Johannesburg.
peaceful end to three centuries of
aa fight of appeasement, a window-dressing an Irish that nation’s “Long Walk to Freedom” - the
attempt. living opulent lives.
dominance, tougher questions are being asked title of his subsequent autobiography. glass window
coffee - black at the bottom, meant to pacify an
Salarygate is a make-believe show with some white The He isof a momentous political transition, economic
We immortalised in a stained
startwere told that ZimAsset will do the
of the and a sprinkling of chocolate on the top.
in Soweto’s giant Regina Mundi church; statues
froth country he leaves behind.
angry public. more government wants to be seen to be was alsothat eluded the in the evolution of a economic
trick a key moment previous 20 or so
Despite The than 10 years of affirmative six of him dancing, boxing or raising his fist are
On average, a white household earns it
action to redress the corruption. So as banner cult of Mandela both at home and abroad.
doing something about balance under the usual, it will dotted across Tichaendepi Masaya’s plane, to Bernard
blueprints; from
times more than a black one, and nearly one
of “black economic empowerment”, South in Man and myth the country; and in 2012 the
point toblacks isvictims, the world’sup, “expose” them, In 1993, bank to Ariston Chambati, and now we have
weaker one of pick them most unequalone central he was awarded the bank notes bearing
Chidzero up issued a set of Nobel Peace
three
Africa remains unemployed, compared with
in that’s all. I whites still tide will be over, the furore his face.
and 20 whites.bet soon the control huge swathes Prize, jointly with de Klerk, and in 1995 he won and we
Patrick Chinamasa. The dust has settled down
societies and
overareThe the mostworsening economicnoteshe no-one
all but announcement about the crisis with on
of be dead and the fat cats will continue as usual.1994
the economy.are fodder for critics of the
Such ratios
will
faced with a diehard right-wingers as came
In the that brought the trade down saluted the overwhelmingly anniversary of his
of
settlement wordswill be leading curtainunionist on February attending to it.white Springbok side release
I doubt if
any convictions an Irish that won
courts. seemingly 11, the 22nd A in rotes from the
Zwelinzima there its structure is akin to in thewhite- fromthe Rugby World CupfishJohannesburg. head. The
prison.
nearly half Vavi,
a century of institutionalised
Usually, the script reads bottom, with somearrested for He is immortalised in a stained glass windowlast act of
missing link is the head. President Mugabe’s
coffee - black at the like this: So and so white
In giant an atmosphere, it statues
minority a sprinkling of Mandela anointed South Soweto’ssuch Regina Mundi church; was perhaps
rule and saw chocolate on the top.
in
froth and government of millions; or financial scam heroism and redemption would be to admit that he is no
prejudicingfirst black president.
inevitable that some episodes his fist are
Africa’s
On average, a white household earns six of him dancing, boxing or raising of his single fiveunearthed numbers also support the anecdotal year term asto the task. are glossed over.
The at this company. The next day; so and so longer equal president
times more than a black one, and nearly one in dotted across the country; and in 2012 the
denied blacks government tightens screws on corruption:
Zimbabwe a set real, concrete and
evidence from wealthy urban neighbourhoods central His close personal bank notes bearingimmediate
bank issued needs of friendship with Libyan
three bail as is unemployed, compared with one his reforms.
in next day
including Mandela’s Houghton - lack of evidence. leader The Muammar Gaddafi drew criticism
The20 whites. State drops charges for where, 19 years face. Colonelcountry needs energetic leadership and
Such ratios are fodder for critics Nation”, most The announcement about the notes came on
and a fierce rebuttal dimensions. Admittedly, the
after the birth of his “Rainbow of the 1994
Then, so and so to run for Zanu PF primaries; then so -sweeping reforms in allfrom Mandela, who said:
settlement that brought be seen are down on February 11,who22nd irritated by of his release with
of so wins X constituencythe a Zanu PF ticket. That “Those generation anniversary our friendshipreforms,
the black people to on curtain housemaids, current the feel will not be saved by such
and
nearly half a century of institutionalised white- from prison.
President Gaddafi can go jump inperhaps
the pool.”
security guards or gardeners.
minority rule and saw Mandela anointed South
will be over. Then the press will gleefully inform us that In such an atmosphere, it was our children. This is
but at least for the respect we owe to
The 2010 “blood diamonds” testimony of
“Mandela has gone a bit too far in doing good
inevitable that some episodes of his single fiveAfrica’s first black president.
Honourable so and so communities, really in some British where he is missing. At Campbell at a Hague
to The non-blackalso support thecorruption in his exactly supermodel Naomi 90 years of age, President
the numbers has condemned anecdotal year term as president are glossed over.
maiden parliamentary speech!! Life goes on.
Mugabe personal also shone an Libyan
evidence from wealthy of (blacks),” Zimbabwean His close cannot be trusted with withuncomfortable
war crimes tribunalfriendship a nation as fallow and
cases at the expense urban neighbourhoods including Mandela’s Houghton - where, 19 years leader ColonelZimbabwe. His insistence criticism is an act
Parastatals have Mugabe said in a 1980. Mugabe ruined as dinner Ma ndela hosted power
President Robertbeen bleeding sincedocumentary light on aMuammar Gaddafi drew on in 1997 for
rebuttal from Mandela, whose presence
after the birth ofAfrican television in May 2013. - and a fiercewarlord Charles Taylor, who said:
aired pretend not his “Rainbow Nation”, most
cannot on South to know this. We have never heard Liberian betrayal to those who want to see this nation
of great
of the black people to be seen are housemaids, “Those who feel irritated by our friendship with
“That’s being too profit despitegood.”
saintly, too their monopolies. at the table called into question South Africa’s
of parastatals declaring a
go forward.
President Gaddafi can go jump in the pool.”
security guards or gardeners.
‘ethical’ foreign policy.
“He let us down” Winnie.The defenders
2010 “blood of success under Zanu
“Mandela has gone a-bit too far in doing good of
We know exactly who looted NRZ, CSC, Air Zimbabwe, The The prospects diamonds” testimony of PF are
Mandela’s settlement note that Mugabe’s violent
supermodel is the infamous at a Hague
to the non-black communities, really in some British Then there Naomi Campbell‘Arms Deal’, a $5
and ZBC. of white-owned farms inare mere cogs in billion defence equipment contractindigenisation we
seizure Those being arrested today neighbouring realistically bleak. The brutal version of that erupted
cases at the expense of (blacks),” Zimbabwean war crimes tribunal also shone an uncomfortable
very big engines. The2000 saidgovernment eight-year into a massive scandalact asMandela’s successor,
on dinner Mandela for attrition to the
President Robert Mugabe of in a documentary lighthave adopted will finally hosted in 1997 for economy.
Zimbabwe from web triggered an corruption
aired closely knitted and that no-one can follow it The warlord Charles Taylor,is the they think this world
iseconomic collapse such confirmed his 2013. the Thabo Mbeki, and remains that defining episode
so on South African television in May fall in Liberian problem with Zanu PF whose presence
at owes ANC’s into from post-apartheid
eyes of outsiders from respected liberation hero the thethem a living. ZimbabweSouth Africa’sfrom poor
with“That’s being too saintly, too good.”
success. Arresting corruption in Zimbabwe does in table called slide question has sufferedgrace.
“He let us down” - Winnie.The defenders of ‘ethical’ foreign policy.
Amid fierce widespread political corruption, and
to start with Happison
not international pariah.Muchechetere and Cuthbert Then there is the infamous ‘Arms Deal’, a $5
political leadership,criticism of Mbeki and the
Mandela’s settlement note that Mugabe’s violent
Yet of white-owned farms hiding some very big current of equipment contract thatalso embroiled
his criticism small fish in neighbouring in a failure president, institutions.
of Mandela finds echoes billion defence political Jacob Zuma, erupted
seizure
Dube. These are very
some corners of the triggered an eight-year into
Zimbabwe from 2000African National Congress in the furore, many South Africans have chosen a
sharks. Arresting corruption begins somewhere In a massive scandal for Mandela’s successor,
Zanu PF, for all intents and purposes, behaves like
(ANC), collapse and confirmed his fall in the Thabo forget that the deal was first announced in
economicthe 101-year-old liberation movement to Mbeki, and remains the defining episode
the Offices where thewith the liberation and the the ANC’s slide from post-apartheidoffice. clinging to
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption 1998, when Mandela was still in grace.
bunch of house-trained thugs and drunkards,
eyes of outsiders from respected unions hero in
that joined forces
fierce streets of the sprawling
to international pariah.
Commission pointed to topple apartheid.year before Amidedge the the civilized world. It has never displayed
theOn of criticism of Mbeki and the black
Communist Party sometime early last
Yet a 2010 interview with the forechoes in On township leadership Zuma, 1980.embroiled and in
his criticism of made to run wife of lives! current president, Jacob since also It police
Mandela finds dear British
the Commissioners were
exemplary of Soweto, where is predatory
In
some corners of the African National Congress in the furore, many South Africans have chosen
author V.S. why don’t we indigenise these parastatals disgruntled unemployed youngsters stillin off
another note, Naipaul, the anti-apartheid firebrand forget that the deal was first announced on anything,
(ANC), the 101-year-old liberation movement to everything it does and we cannot trust it face
and those forces with the unions demonstrate especially the violent still in office.
that “Mother of the Nation” Winnie Madikizela- in sporadic, current anti-corruption drive and economic
so thatjoined with business acumenship canand the 1998, when Mandela was protests over poor housing
and public services, the are plenty who
Mandela Party to her apartheid.
Communistaccused topple former husband of On the streets of there sprawling black do not
it by reviving these ones?
reforms.
In a out interview broken by his British township Mandela myth.
selling 2010after beingwith the wife of27 years in buy theof Soweto, where police and
The V.S. prisons. the anti-apartheid firebrand few
Zimbabwe economy is in a sorry state; disgruntledcandidates start lining up to face off for the
As unemployed youngsters still succeed
author
“Mandela kept on saying: ‘I am here Mugabe,
apartheid Naipaul,
and“Mandelaa hungry, greedy click of he went in people, violent protests over poor housing political
“Mother the Nation” Winnie Madikizela- in no-one I emerged with the the nation.’
tax-payers and ofdid go to prison and tax-harvesters sporadic, hasam the servant ofsuitable stature, What
Mandela accused her former husband of and public
waiting as take the returns home. Who can imagine that did he services, thereintegrity and plain honesty needed
do? He signed papers who do not
there to a burning young revolutionary. But look sophistication, public are plentythat allo wed white
selling out after being broken by his 27 years in buy the Mandela myth.
people Zimbabwe saying: ‘I and the farms,”
what the difficulties
after allcame out,” she was quoted as saying.
to take to keep forward.
apartheid prisons. in collecting radio and television “Mandela kept onthe minesam here for the said
“Mandela let us will take $4 he home
people, At am the servant knows who feelsWhat
I least Zimbabwe of the nation.’ a roadside
“Mandela did go down. He agreed to inbad
remittances, Happison to prison and 000 went a every 49-year-old Majozi Pilane, how it runsto be governed
deal as This is about 800 television licence-payers stall selling sweets and that allowed
there for the blacks. Economically, we arelook on he do? He signed paperscigarettes. white
a burning young revolutionary. But still did by Boko Haram!!■
month?
people “He did the mines and the farms,” said poor
to keep absolutely nothing for all the
whatoutside. The economy is very much ‘white’.
the came out,” she was quoted as saying.
feeding Happison us down. He agreed towhole year,
“Mandela let every month! For the a bad 49-year-old Majozi country.”
It has a few token blacks, but so many who gave people of this Pilane, who runs a roadside
deal 9600inblacks. Economically, we unrewarded.”
about for the television viewers who were still on stall selling sweets and cigarettes.
their life the struggle have died are “patriotic”
did absolutely nothing for all the poor
the outside. their television very much ‘white’.
enough to payThe economy islicences had their monies “He - The Telegraph
Even token academics, there is broad
It has a fewamongblacks, but so many who gave people of this country.”
BY REUTERS
6 - 08 he Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mundenda, recently made
December 2013 - The Observer
some startling remarks when he addressed students from the National
Defence College. He is reported in the media as having decried the
“limited academic qualifications” of some Members of Parliament
(who incidentally elected him to office).
He is of the view that his colleagues are not educated enough to understand
bills that are brought before the House. He has therefore, announced his office’s
intention to undertake some “strategic programme” to enhance their skills.
Apart from falling short of telling our MPs to go back to school, the Speaker
has demonstratedSouth African President Nelson Mandela, everyone will want
n mourning former an unfortunate superiority complex that has been the bane of
our politics since independence.
to claim him for their own. And that is a good thing.
Nay, want to claim him as being that it would be preferable (though
Some willsince colonialism. Thispart confessionals about their own countries’
rarely said even in the nationalist movements) to have those that are coherent/
complicity in aiding apartheid.
informed/ sophisticated by way continental in the modern day order brought
Others as participants in domestic,of educationand global struggles thatof things
being closer to power.
down the last bastion of settler colonialism in Africa.
In his evident preference and fervent legislators judged as better players
Others still in their own failures for educateddesire to behe makes reference (with
disdain) to the fact that there and specific qualification required to be an MP,
in the struggles against colonialismis no imperialism.
except that one I will be the queue. I a registered claim Nelson Mandela as an
Like everyone else,has tojoin an adult and will howevervoter. (This being one of the
African icon beforefor the held in awe byliberation struggle in our country.)
basic reasons being waging of the his global reach.
Given the political gravity of his public opinions, it may be necessary to global
An African icon in the sense that before we were enamored to Mandela as a outline
n mourning in marketing) he was for the Speaker. faced with decisions to
brand (as they say former orders African President Nelson Mandela,in order for him as
some basic standing South and rulesan African leaderOnly everyone will want
to claim that
tough as those him for their own. African iconsgood thing.his flawed argument.
understand andfaced other And thattheapremiseand later times.
possibly reconsider is of his of
Some will want to claim him as the ‘acceptable type’ Otherwise they would
He was never a leader to be deemed of the people’s representatives own countries’
.
Firstly Parliament is a receptacle part confessionals about their through direct
complicity in aiding apartheid.
not have had him individuals via our constituency based system. The personsso many
elections as participants in domestic, continental and global struggles that brought
of and others imprisoned on the infamous Robben Island for that win
years. Others
such electionsbastion of settlerchosen representatives (regardless of the ongoing
down the last are essentially colonialism in Africa.
Neither challenges theirbetray eitherand ferventor his comrades in thebetteragainst
Others he in to some failures his cause desire to be judged as fight people
legal was still one to ownof their seats) by ordinary citizens, and dare I say,players
apartheid. He was not a romantic who viewed people from either a religious or a
in the struggles against colonialism and imperialism.
who wouldn’t understand the three stages of a bill.
messianic standpoint. I will join the queue. I will however claim Nelson Mandela as an
Like everyone else, that these representatives are not up to scratch when
To publicly state
He Africanleader who being held in awe by his global reach. history, even before the
was a icon before was cognizant of his placement in
they becomeicon in the sense that before we (evenenamored togood’ portrayals of
members of the legislature were if it’s the Mandela as a global
age of satellite television, internet and mass marketing. The ‘feelLower House) is to
An African
inadvertentlycame longthe people’s was an Africanseek to faced with his people’s
denigrate after he had decided that the struggle for decisions as
brand (as th ey say in marketing) he verdict. Or to leader judge it unfairly.
this African icon,
tough as be his life. led to their elections of his and later callous,
The processes that
freedom shall those that faced other African icons may have been times. money-driven
He was never a leader
and for once cases, riddled deemed the ‘acceptable type’. Otherwise they would
I do notin some think thatto bewith envisaged himself becoming the iconic figure
Mandela allegations and victims of political violence.
not have had him and others imprisoned on the infamous Robben Island for so many
But until a competent court of t-shirts. His a specific MPs election, then the
that would adorn murals, cups and law overturnsprimary task was, together with
years.
others and in essentially has fashion,either his cause thehis comrades in the fight against
multi-racial betray the pursuit to or goals the basis of educational
Speaker a was he one tono business seeking of qualify, onof the Freedom Charter.
Neither
It is trite that there not ahe has no mandate to do so. from either a religiousview
apartheid. He a verdict romantic who viewed people
qualifications, was are fellow Africans who will attempt to mistakenly or a
messianic the perspective of not having achieved opinion in of the Freedom
Mandela from standpoint.
Secondly, the Speaker conveniently phrases his the goals the language of
CharterHe was a leader whoof alone. MPs of his placement in history, even he had the
as though he wrote it sitting
capacity development was cognizant while somehow hinting that if before his
age
Or way, of satellite television, internet and mass marketing. The ‘feel the in portrayals of
those thatwould be a qualified made mistakes in relation to good’ the future.
there will argue that he franchise for one to be a struggle CODESA talks
this African icon, came long after he had decided that thelegislator for his people’s
that ledWhile shall beblack specify whether he thinks one needs Ordinary or Advanced
to majority his life.
freedom he does not government in South Africa. Apart from theirs being an
opinionI that we must respect, weMandela envisaged himselfthat this is a mistaken and
would have to point out becoming the iconic figure
do notbe once think
levels view one, given that
to for
that he is lawyer, one would be forgiven for
ahistoricalwould of the man. the factand t-shirts.aHis primary task was, together with
that
adorn
speculatingin a multi-racial most likely insist one the goals of paralegal to run for a
that hemurals, fashion, the pursuit of becomes a the Freedom Charter.
would cups
others and
Mandela and even Oliver Tambo’s revolutionary and generational task was to
seat in trite SouthAnd in fellow Africans who willas a first stage representative
lead the ANC andthat there are to attain independencewhole point of of what isview
It is Parliament. Africa the process defeat the attempt to mistakenly still
democracy. the perspective of Revolution (NDR).
Mandela from
referred to as the National Democraticnot having achieved the goals of the Freedom
Charter as though he wrote it alone.
Thirdly, our politicians have taken stages, they were correct to negotiate
And because there is no politics withouton the habit of making statements that
Or those that will out but
that effect
appear well-thought argue an in he made mistakes in relation to the realities. The
with the white Nationalists for government not reflective ofApartpoliticalCODESA talks
inclusive in South Africa. our from theirs being an
and ceasefire constitution.
that led to majority black
Speaker that wethe revolution done, it was andpoint out up to unfortunately made
in making disparaging remarks about his colleaguesthis is a mistaken and
That initial task of must respect, we would have to remains that subsequent cadres
opinion
ahistorical view of working
the vainglorious mistake of thinking he is above the fray of those that elected
of the NDR to continuethe man. towards the fulfillment of the rest of the aspirations
of the anti apartheid even Oliver Tambo’s revolutionary and generational task was to
Mandela and struggle.
him.
lead the ANC and South Africa to attain
In Nkrumahist parlance, Mandela sought independence inclinations ofofour society,
He forgot that Parliament reflects first the politicala first stage anticipation
the political as kingdom in what is still
referred to as the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
that everythingall. To call some of his colleagues ignorant is tantamount to referring
else would follow.
warts and
And because there is no politics without stages, they were correct to negotiate
It has Zimbabwean society as for an inclusive it is a processconstitution. evident point
to been whitefor the Southbeing the but and ceasefire missing the democratic
with the slow Nationalists Africans, same. Or at least that remains
and is most initial task of the revolution done,bewas and remains up complete departure
that the electorate’s decisionsThere was it referred to to be a to subsequent cadres
That definitely underway. can only never going as ignorant by the electorate
from itself. And with hindsight. Hence we has never beenyears. rest of the aspirations
the past in to continue working towards theevery five a complete departure from
of the NDR South Africa just as there vote fulfillment of the
the same inanti apartheid struggle.
of the Zimbabwe.
The greater truth of the matter is that no matter how uneducated you might
In Nkrumahist with the
We all still grapple parlance, Mandela sought first the political kingdom in anticipation
be, if the intention wouldvagaries of colonialism and imperialism. We however
that everything else of a Bill of Parliament is brought before you, you will be
follow.
are not beholden to them. Nationalist sentiment alone is not enough either for
able hasdecipher its meaning. Perhaps slowlyitbut inevitably onremains democratic
It to been Zimbabwe.
South Africa or forslow for the South Africans, but is a process that behalf of the best
and is most your constituency and country. Even if these interests were limited to
interests of definitely underway. There was never going to be a complete departure
Mandela, like Nyerere and Cabral, taught us that beenmust navigate our ideals
we a complete
from
as there
thosethemostin South Africa just ensuringand values. generationsdeparture from
of past political party’s principleshas never
with what is your pragmatic while
that future
do not forget
the same in Zimbabwe.
Finally, to tasteless remarks of the Speaker forget the fundamental
that their task isthe take withrevolutionsby higher stages and within generational
We all still grapple our the vagaries to colonialism and imperialism. We however
contexts.not beholden to them. Nationalist sentiment alone is not enough either the
constitutional task of Parliament. There will be many MPs and Speakers of for
are
South of Assembly as has always been the case. Some will be rich, others will
HouseAfrica or for Zimbabwe.
Mandela, like Nyerere and Cabral, taught their community and people-centred
have university degrees while others still onlyus that we must navigate our ideals
with what is most pragmatic while ensuring that future generations do not forget
tracktheir task is to take our revolutions to higher stages and within generational
that record to show for it.
contexts. long as there is a professional and competent civil service, Parliament
But so
will carry out its democratic constitutional mandate even as a full reflection of the
true (educated or uneducated) character of our country. ■
Mandela:
I
An African icon I
on African terms
I
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