6 - 08 December 2013 - The Observer
6 - 16 March 2014 - The Observer
Comment:
COMMENT
Comment & Analysis
Mandela legacy – peace
but poverty for blacks
Comment & Opinion
Tsvangirai:
Mandela:
An emperor now
An African icon I
Comment:
– peace
running naked
TAfrican terms Mandela legacyblacks
on
but poverty for
MAKE THEM PAY!
6 - 08 December 2013 - The Observer
he Harare City Council (HCC) has that it is at advanced stages of entering
into a deal with an as yet unnamed South African-based company to refurbish
the capital city’s water delivery system. The deal is estimated to be at a cost of
close to US$3 billion. HCC officials are on record as referring to the pending
transaction (subject to Cabinet approval) as a prime example of public private partnership.
In the same deal, it has been publicly indicated that residents are expected to have an
added benefit of internet broadband connectivity that the South African company would
provide. This is regardless of the fact that we already have three mobile phone companies
n mourning former South African President Nelson Mandela, everyone will want
and multiple internet service providers sharing a stake in the fiber-optic cables that are
to claim himinto their own. And that is a good thing.
being dug for the soils of Harare.
Some will want to claim him as part in relation to water is somewhatown countries’
But this somewhat inexplicable benefit confessionals about their besides the point
complicity in reconsiders previous announcements by one of the very well-paid directors in the
until one aiding apartheid.
Others as participants to privatise water service provision in Harare through prepaid water
HCC that they intend in domestic, continental and global struggles that brought
down the last bastion of settler colonialism in Africa.
meters. So it will be a combination of internet/broadband technology linked to ensuring
Others waterin their own(which is the actual intent of HCCbe judged as better players
that still is privatized failures and fervent desire to and central government.)
in the struggles against colonialism and imperialism.
And this is not the first lauded loan/investment deal around water reticulation that the
Like everyone else, I will join the queue. I willis the still unresolved matter of the Chinese
council has indicated it has entered into. There however claim Nelson Mandela as an
African icon before being held in awe by his global reach.
National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation loan guarantee that
An African icon in the sense that before we were enamored to Mandela as a global
was also reported in the media as having been abused. Especially where it came to matters
n mourning in marketing) he was an African leader faced with decisions as
brand (as they say former South African President Nelson Mandela, everyone will want
to to claim him for their
do with that faced other And that is a of his and
tough as thoseprocurement. own. African iconsgood thing. later times.
So even if the latest arrangement with the yet-to-be-publicly their own countries’
named South African
He wasSome will want to claim him as the ‘acceptable type’. Otherwise they would
never a leader to be deemed part confessionals about
complicity at aiding apartheid.
company him advanced stages of finalisation, the HCC seems to be keen on papering over
is in and others imprisoned on the infamous Robben Island for so many
not have had
the cracks of a very murky approach it continental and global struggles that
years. Others as participants in domestic,has taken to public/private partnerships. brought
down the last bastion of settler colonialism in Africa.
This is he
relation to the evident lack his comrades in
Neither was specifically inown failures and ferventorof context that the HCC is functioning
Others still one to betray either his cause desire to be judgedthe betteragainst
in their
as fight players
in. theappears as against colonialism andgame” people from either a religious or a
It He was not a romantic who viewed to almost any proposal from whatever
though they are “open imperialism.
apartheid. struggles
in
messianic standpoint.come will join the queue. I will however claimto make Mandela as an
company that haselse, I their way. As long the proposal appears Nelson them appear as
Like everyone
African they are “rationalising” in awe byas placement in history, even before the
He though leader who being held(also readhis privatizing) local government social service
was a icon before was cognizant of his global reach.
age of satellite television, internet and mass we were enamored togood’ portrayals of
An African icon in the sense that before marketing. The ‘feel Mandela as a global
delivery.
brand icon, came in marketing) had decided that the struggle for his people’s
with decisions as
this African (as they say long after he he was an African leader facedreported in another
Apparently including another one on public transport which was
tough as be his life.
freedom shall those that faced other African icons of his and later times.
newspaper.never a which have come back as either done or almost done deals with the
He was All of leader to be
type’. Otherwise they would
I do not for once think thathavingdeemed the ‘acceptableOr how these will literally make
resident and ratepayer not Mandela cognizance ofinfamous Robben Island for sofigure
full envisaged himself becoming the iconic many
not have had him and others imprisoned on the them.
that would adorn murals, cups and t-shirts. His primary task was, together with
years.
access
right
others and to water the one to betray either his cause thehis comrades in the fight against
in a multi-racialof only those that can afford it.
fashion, the pursuit of or goals of the Freedom Charter.
Neither was he
The lack of context is even more evident where and when those at the helm of the
It is trite that there not afellow Africans who will attempt either a religiousview
apartheid. He was are romantic who viewed people from to mistakenly or a
HCC are as the perspective of not having achieved the goals of the Freedom
messianic arrogant as
Mandela from standpoint.insisting that the extravagant salaries they pay senior employees are
notas was a leader who was cognizanttheyhis placement in history, of things. (All of
only in order wrote it alone.
CharterHe though hebut never explain how of fit in the broader scheme even before the
age of satellite television, internet and
this while simultaneously that he made mass marketing. Thefootball team on thetalks
Or those that will argue sponsoring a Premier Soccer League ‘feel the CODESA basis
mistakes in relation to good’ portrayals of
this African icon, came long after he had decided that the struggle forgrounds.)
his people’s
of what former finance committee chairperson has referre d to as from theirs being an
that led to majority black government in South Africa. Apart irrational
freedom shall be his life.
opinionIWhatwe must respect, at the HCChave to point out ifbecoming a mistaken and
that therefore obtains weMandela envisaged himselfthat this is the iconic figure
would is an unfortunate not deliberate intention to
do not for once think that
ahistoricalwould of the man. carpet under the guise His“work in progress”. together media
sweep view adorn murals, cups and t-shirts. of primary task was, That the with
scandals under the
that
others and even Oliver Tambo’s the pursuit of and generational task evident
Mandelato write a multi-racial fashion,revolutionarythe goals of thecity withoutwas to
chose and in stories of unnamed companies investing in the capital Freedom Charter.
lead the ANCthe full import ofare to attain independence as a first also most what isview
It of and South Africa same Africans who ratepayers is to mistakenly still
deals is trite that there thefellowon residents and will attemptstage of unfortunate.
Mandela from the perspective of Revolutionachieved
having
goals
referredFor as the National Democraticnotburden of (NDR). the billion of the Freedom
to instance, who
the US$300
investment cost?
Charter as though hereally carries the
wrote it alone.
And because there is no investment and not a debt,they wererespective to negotiate
In Or those that it is an politics he made stages, does the correct CODESA talks
any event, if will argue that without mistakes in relation to the and unnamed
with the white Nationalists for government in South Africa. Apart from theirs being an
an inclusive and ceasefire constitution.
that led to majority black
South African company start owning the city’s water? And how many jobs is this project
That initial that wethe revolutionanywouldwas andpoint out up to subsequent cadres
opinion to create for respect, done, it have to remains that this is a manufacturing
expected task of mustHarare or we numbers as to the number if ancillary mistaken and
ahistorical view of working
of the NDR to continuethe man. towards the fulfillment of the rest of the aspirations
industries to re-emerge?
of the anti apartheid even Oliver Tambo’s revolutionary and generational task was to
Mandela and struggle.
Furthermore, if there Africa to attain
lead the ANC and Southis interaction between central and local government on broader
In Nkrumahist parlance, Mandela sought independence as a first stage of what is still
first the political kingdom in anticipation
referred policy, National this specific investment deal fit
economicto as thehow does Democratic Revolution (NDR). into the still controversial
that everything else would follow.
And because there is no politics without stages, they were correct to negotiate
indigenization and economic empowerment policy?
It has been whitefor the South Africans, but it is a processconstitution. democratic
with the slow Nationalists for an inclusive and ceasefire that remains
What is probably
to obtain, as has been the case in the last decade, is the
and is most initial task of continuingThere was it was and remains up complete departure
That definitely underway.
the revolution done, never going to be a to subsequent cadres
literal “selling”continue working towards the fulfillmenta complete departure policy
off Africa just as there has neverfor a song. Without the aspirations
of the capital city’s resources been of the rest of adequate from
from the past in to
of the NDR South
the same inanti apartheid struggle. at understanding of context.
researchZimbabwe.
of the or democratically arrived
In Nkrumahist with the Mandela sought first the form imperialism. We however
We allSuch grapple parlance,property havecolonialismpolitical kingdom in anticipation
still “sales” of council vagaries of come in the and of either properties in return
that everything them.
follow.
are not beholden to terms of Nationalist sentiment alonewith the enoughintentionfor
for liquidity or inelse wouldoutsourcing council mandates is not evident either of
It has been Zimbabwe.
South Africa or basic social services beyond the reachitof a majority that remains democratic
privatizing forslow for the South Africans, but is a process poor resident or ratepayer.
and is most definitely underway. There was never going to be a complete departure
Mandela, like Nyerere and proposal to Cabinet with regard to the unnamed South African
In the past in South Africa just as there has never we a complete departure from
from the case of the HCC’s Cabral, taught us that beenmust navigate our ideals
with company,most pragmatic more of the same. that future generations do not context
what is we Zimbabwe. while ensuring That is, a city council without policy forget
the same in are witnessing
that their task is grapple withrevolutions to higher stages and within generational
to take our
or We all still
even the specific ability tothe vagaries of colonialism and imperialism. We however
explain its intentions to its primary constituents. Instead, the
contexts.not beholden to them. Nationalist sentiment alone is not enough either for
are
whole proposed for Zimbabwe.
project, broadband and all, is indicative more of a “model privatization”
South Africa or
project intended to establish city oligarchies without either the best public interest nor
Mandela, like Nyerere and Cabral, taught us that we must navigate our ideals
maximum public accountability. while ensuring that future generations do not forget
with what is most pragmatic
thatrefer to it as is “model” our revolutionsCabinet approve this investment/indebtedness
I their task a to take because, should to higher stages and within generational
contexts.
deal for Harare, it shall be taken to our remaining major cities and towns. Almost, like the
prepaid water meter, which is already symbolic of the classic “haves and the have nots”.
All over a glass of safe-to-drink water.■
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 year s after he withdrew from novice, focused too much on the quest for
public life, Nelson Mandela divided his time political rather than economic power.
Comment & Analysis
In less polite terms, the ANC’s stance
between a mansion in one of Johannesburg’s
wealthiest suburbs and his ancestral home in translated into a quip popular at the dinner
Qunu, a village in South Africa’s impoverished parties of wealthy whites: “We’ll give them the
vote but keep the banks.”
eastern Cape.
William Gumede, a professor at Wits
The contrast could not have been starker.
Dr Lastone, his Moyo
reasons School in Then as now, said it in the
In Madiwa neighbours were cast in the Businessfor the split. Johannesburg,violence was
image of no secret that theLords”, the mining wrong to argue that Mandela sold out.and roguish
T is the white “Rand emperor has been MDC appeared to take a sporadic
“However, the economic negotiations were
magnates andnaked forwho built now, sprawling form, albeit used systematically by the emperor to
running bankers a while the but what
city -isand Africa’s biggest is beginningfrom the not as robust inpunish dissent with free said.
economy - to dance discipline andas the political ones,” he expression
acceptance that
its sparring and thenshocking is that he
BY REUTERS
president FW de Klerk inacceptance among most in
“There was a glib the early 1990s, the
vast gold reserves in the rock beneath their feet.
in full public view and making a travesty of on party issues. self-confessed
ANC under Mandela,
do was capture
In the other, they were black peasant farmers the ANC that allathey needed toeconomic
opposition politics “rondavel” hutsFromekinglurid political power, disturbing they the recent reports
novice, Even more and then are could transform
focused too much on the quest for
N in thatched in after country. and from out
the 10 years the he withdrew the
living
public life, the recent orgies of violence political rather than economic power.
his time
sex living on toNelson Mandela divided scenes that thethe effect thatwas aviolence sometimes took an
to economy.
a scandals awindswept one of Johannesburg’s and In less polite It this the ANC’sargument, and
terms, simplistic stance
between mansion in hillsides in
corruption suburbs andin centuries, letTsvangirai’s it was also thequipreminiscent of the sunset kind of
reportedly his his party, alone translated dimension popular at the
have hardly changedrife inancestral home in the ethnic into a Mandela argument.”dinner
wealthiest
two decades since be Africa’s as it epitomizes politics associated with world watched in these
tragicomedy cannotthe end of apartheid.
of wealthy whites: “We’ll give them the
Qunu, a village in South ignored impoverished parties South Africa and theZanu PF. If indeed awe
vote but keep true, then
easternthat has slowly, but progressively eaten into when, on the banks.”11, 1990, Mandelacrystal clear
Cape.
While few query Mandela’s achievement claims areFebruary it is more than left Cape
the rot
a professor at Wits
in The contrast couldAfrica been starker. brink William Gumede, yet another and raised his fist
dragging South not have
the
the In one, his neighbours back from in party in Town’s Victor Verster prisonatavistic primordialist
heart and soul of the main opposition the Business Tsvangirai is
that School in Johannesburg, said it
were cast brokering in salute to the crowds as he stepped was on his
out
of civil war in the early 1990s and
Zimbabwe. white “Rand Lords”, the mining wrong to argue that Mandela sold out. a national identity
who has dismally failed to build
image of the
a peaceful end to three centuries of white and the nation’s “Long Walk to Freedom” - the
magnates the MDC split built the sprawling
Since and bankers who in 2005, Tsvangirai’s “However, the economic negotiations were
that is premised on civic virtue,
dominance, tougher questions are being asked as robust as the political ones,” he equity, and human
said.
city - and Africa’s biggest economy - from the not title of his subsequent autobiography.
misdemeanors havethe rock beneath their feet. a “There wasitsglibaacceptance among most in him the
rights as a of momentousblocks. Give
The start nation building political transition,
of gold reserves in clearly developed into
vastthe country he leaves behind.
Despite more were black peasant farmers the presidency key moment do he capture
cancerousother, theythanhas dealt aof affirmative ANC that allathey Mugabeto in the evolutiondefinite
In the plague that 10 years fatal blow to it was also after needed and waswill be a of a
living into redress the balance under opposition gift of death to the theyhome and he’s no
action thatched “rondavel” huts and eking out political power, and both at could transform
the moral and ethical justification for the banner cult of Mandelathen nation because abroad. respect
a living on windswept hillsides in scenes that the economy. It was a simplistic argument, and
of “black economic empowerment”, South forMan and and political diversity in his own party.
politics, especially in in centuries, how it imagines was also the Mandela argument.”
relation to let alone the it
cultural myth
have hardly changed of the world’s most unequal
In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace
Africa remains one
democratic leadership end of apartheid. with good South Africa and to imagine a radically different
His failure the world watched in awe
two decades since the that is consistent
jointly with de Klerk, and in 1995 he won
societies and whites still control huge swathes Prize,February
While
governancefew query Mandela’s Needless to say, over all but the11, 1990,for Zimbabwe can also be
and human rights. achievement when, on
democratic alternative Mandela left Cape as he
most diehard right-wingers
of dragging South Africa back from the brink Town’s Victor Verster prison and raised his fist
the economy.
in
Tsvangirai’s leadership style and hisbrokering in salute to the crowds as he stepped out onas evidenced
In war in the of 1990s trade unionist seen in the continued use of violence his
of civil the words early leadingand increasingly saluted the overwhelmingly white Springbok side
wishy-washy end toits structure is akin towhitenow that nation’s “Long Walk to Freedom” - the
by won the Rugby World Elton Mangoma and
Zwelinzima political persona
and the the recent bashing ofCup in Johannesburg.
a peaceful Vavi, three centuriesthat is Irish
of an
title
his is up of the party’s
dominance, tougher questions are being asked for of He subsequent autobiography.Secretarywindow
coffee - black at the bottom, with some white roughingimmortalised in a stained glass General,
characterized by perennial flip-flopping, calls
of the and a sprinkling of chocolate on the top. TheSoweto’s momentous political transition,statues
he leaves behind.
froth country serious reflection from all serious- in start of a giant Regina Mundi church;
an urgent and than 10 years of affirmative it was also a Biti. moment in is that of exercising their
Tendai key Their sin the evolution of a
Despite more a white
him dancing, boxing constitutional right
raising
On average,
earns six legitimate
mindedtocitizens about the household banner and of Mandelaand hard wonor abroad. his fist areto
cult of
both at home and
action
redress the balance value, the
under meaning,
dotted across
times moreeconomic empowerment”, South in Man and myth the country; and in 2012 the
than a black one, and nearly one
of “black
direction of opposition politics in the country.
freedom of expression on what Zimbabweans
central he was awarded of Nobel Peace
three remains unemployed, compared with
Africa blacks isone of the world’s most unequalone In 1993, bank issued a set the bank notes bearing
would surely agree are salient party issues worth of
inOnewhites. need a rocket scientist to show that his face.
20 doesn’t
societies and whites still control huge swathes Prize, jointly with de Klerk, and in 1995 he won
the the economy.are fodder for critics ofopposition public interest and concern. the noteshe
over allThe the most diehard about
but announcement right-wingers as came on
of value, ratios
Such substance, and relevance of the 1994
In in that of has largely
settlement words brought the tradebeen on the
down saluted the overwhelmingly white Springbok side times
politics the Zimbabwe leading curtainunionist on February 11, the the election countless releaseto
Having lost 22nd anniversary of his
Zwelinzima Vavi, its structure is akin to an Irish that fromthe Rugby World Cup in Johannesburg.
nearly since the formation of the GNU white- won prison.
decline -half a century of institutionalisedin 2008. He is immortalisedsurely it must be healthy to discuss
Robert Mugabe, in
glass
coffee black at the bottom, with some white
In giant an atmosphere, MDC-T
minority a this and saw Mandela anointed South Soweto’ssuch Regina a stainedthe it windowbut those
rule issue from the lens on the top.
Looking at sprinkling of chocolate of the MDC-T the succession question in church; was perhaps
in
Mundi
statues
froth and
Africa’s first blackwhite household earns six of inevitable that some episodes of his single fiveOn average, a president.
as the main opposition party - albeit quantitatively him dancing, boxing orbeen met with violence and
who dare do so have raising his fist are
The numbers also support the anecdotal year term the country; and in 2012 the
times more than a black one, and nearly one in dotted across as president are glossed over.
and not qualitatively- Zimbabweans have perhaps shown the exitadoor. This use of intimidation and
evidence from wealthy urban neighbourhoods central His close personal bank notes bearingLibyan
bank issued set of friendship with
three blacks is unemployed, compared with one seen that the party has become nowhere, than just face. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi drew criticism
his violence
in 20 whites.
including Mandela’s Houghton - more 19 years leader by the MDC-T is not consistent with
Such ratios of his “Rainbow Apart from
opposition birth opposition’s critics of the 1994 its The announcement about the notes the party can no
and a fierce rebuttal from Mandela, on
after the forare fodder for sake. Nation”, most -opposition politics. Violence in came who said:
settlement that brought be seen are down on February 11,who22nd irritated by of his release with
the curtain housemaids, “Those the feel anniversary our friendship
of the black people bites, it lacks transformative longer just be regarded as merely sporadic, but is
usual neoliberal soundto institutionalised white- from prison.
nearly half a century of
President Gaddafi can go jumphas the pool.”
security guards saw Mandela
agency and a clearor gardeners. anointed electorate. In such an atmosphere, it wasinperhaps part of
now structural and systemic. It
become
minority rule and serious message to the South
The 2010 “blood diamonds” testimony of
“Mandela has gone a example, enjoys relative the party political fabric of his single to undermine
bit too far in doing good
inevitable that some episodes and serves fiveAfrica’s first black president.
While MDC-N, for
to The non-blackalso support the anecdotal yearBritish supermodel Naomi Campbell at a Hague
the
communities, really in some term as president are glossed over.
clarity ofnumbers and policy, Tsvangirai’s MDC-T a democratic conversation in the party. This intravision
evidence from wealthy of (blacks),” Zimbabwean His close personal friendship withuncomfortable
war crimes tribunal also shone an Libyan
cases at the expense urban neighbourhoods has since Mandela’sMugabe saidwhere, 19 years leader ColonelaMuammar Gaddafi drew criticism
including 2008 only filled the in a documentary light on dinner Mandela hosted in 1997 for
President Robert Houghton - national political party violence sets a very dangerous precedent
after with political gibberish on in May 2013. - Liberian rebuttal Charles Taylor, who said:
space the birth ofAfrican televisiondemocracy that and a fiercewarlordpolitics in Zimbabwe presence it
for opposition from Mandela, whose because
aired on South his “Rainbo w Nation”, most
of
“That’s people value to are housemaids, “Those who feel called into question South Africa’s
has the clear being too saintly, the electorate. In the at the table irritated by our friendship with is often
no blackmaterialto be seentoo good.”
undermines the democratic culture that
President Gaddafi can go jump in the pool.”
security guards or gardeners.
“He let us down”a-bit too far in doing good of The 2010foreigndriving force for opposition politics.
Winnie.The been enjoying ‘ethical’ as the policy.
defenders
meantime, while gone
regarded “blood diamonds” testimony of
“Mandela has the party elite have
Mandela’s settlement and obscene in some British Thenrespectisfor human rightsa and democratic
supermodel Naomi Campbell‘Arms Deal’, a $5
to trappings of communities, Mugabe’s violent
the the non-blackpowernote that reallyconsumption
The there the infamous at Hague
seizure of expense of (blacks),” Zimbabwean war crimes defence equipment contract
cases at the white-owned farms in neighbouring billion tribunal alsobe a foundationalthat erupted
as seen through Tsvangirai’s endless “Pick and interaction must shone an uncomfortable for any
pillar
on dinner Mandela for Mandela’s for
President Robert Mugabe said in a documentary lightinto a massive scandal hosted in 1997 successor,
Zimbabwe from 2000 triggered an eight-year
Pay” on South escapades,confirmed his 2013. have Thabo Mbeki, andand social justice project in
marital African television in May fall in the democratization remains the defining episode
ordinary people
Liberian warlord Charles Taylor, whose presence
aired
economic collapse and
at Zimbabwe. Opposition post-apartheid grace.
“That’s being too saintly, too good.”
been starving. Hence, the recent trumping of the the the ANC’s slide questionaSouth Africa’s
eyes of outsiders from respected liberation hero in table called into from as form of politics must
“He let us down” - in the 2013 defenders may in be about principles not principals. It is not about
Winnie.The elections of ‘ethical’ foreign policy.
MDC-T by Zanu pariah.
Amid fierce criticism of Mbeki and the
to international PF
Then there is the infamous ‘Arms Deal’, a $5
Mandela’s settlement note that Mugabe’s violent
part,Yet of white-owned aMandelaneighbouring in current president, Jacob power, but removing bad
be his a result of farms in vote by citizens removing Mugabe from Zuma, also embroiled
as criticism of protest finds echoes billion defence equipment contract that erupted
seizure
some for from the recommitment to a
into a the furore, many South Africans have
Zimbabwe Tsvangirai’s triggered an eight-yearkind leadership principles Mandela’s successor,chosen
calling corners of 2000African National Congress in massive scandal for that have stalled Zimbabwe’s
(ANC), collapse and confirmed his fall new
liberation movement human rights remains the defining announced in
Thabo forget that the deal was first progress.
economicthe 101-year-old can usher a in thecivic to Mbeki, and and democratizationepisode
of opposition politics that
eyes of outsiders from with the liberation and the the ANC’s slide from post-apartheidoffice.
that joined forces respected unions hero in 1998, when Mandela was still in grace.
vernacular that is grounded on a value system that Amid fierce criticism of fundamentally a practice
Opposition politics is
and the
to international pariah. topple apartheid.
On the streets of Mbekisprawling black
the
Communist Party to
Yet a 2010 interview with PF.Sadly, Tsvangirai of freedom and Soweto, where police
his from that Mandela finds echoes in current president,
is different criticism ofof Zanu the wife of British township ofJacob Zuma, also embroiled andits
must stand opposed through
In
some corners of he will
isauthor V.S. Naipaul, thenever do. He is a naked the furore, many Souththose in have chosen respect
not listening; the African National Congress in disgruntled unemployed youngsters still face off
values systems to Africans power. The
(ANC), the 101-year-old anti-apartheid firebrand forget that the deal was first announced in
liberation movement to
emperor who of nowNation” Winnie Madikizela- inwhen Mandela was protests over poor housingon
and joined forces with the unions and the 1998, sporadic, violent right to free
that “Mother is the dancing out of tune. He for the individual still in office. expression
Mandela Party to potential to
Communistaccused her apartheid.husband of and public services, there are plenty who
shows no leadershiptopple former be a doyen of On the streets partythe sprawling black do not
anything about of welfare in the MDC-T must
In a out interview broken by his British township
selling 2010after beingrights which of now flouts remain Mandela myth.
democracy and human with the wife he27 years in buy theof Soweto, The use police and is not
sacrosanct. where of violence
author V.S. prisons. the anti-apartheid firebrand disgruntled unemployedon saying: ‘I am here for the
“Mandela kept youngsters still face off
apartheid Naipaul,
with “Mother of the Nation” Winnie Madikizela- in sporadic, violent protests over poor housing
reckless abandon
now public only a violation
and“Mandela did go in his party. It’s he went in people, I am the of the founding principles of
servant of the nation.’ What
to prison and
Mandela that his her former husband oftime public
knowledge accused leadership has, for a long look did he services, there arebut also a flagrant insult to
the MDC movement, papers that allowed white
do? He signed plenty who do not
there as a burning young revolutionary. Butin and the Mandela myth.
buy
selling out after being broken by his 27 detestable, the democratic character and strategic intent of
now, been associated with an obnoxious,years
people to keep saying: ‘I and the farms,”
what came out,”
“Mandela kept onthe minesam here for the said
apartheid prisons. she was quoted as saying.
and“Mandela did go to of violence. In 2005,bad 49-year-old politics. Pilane, who runs a roadside
disgusting cultur e prison and he went in people, I am the servant
“Mandela let us down. He agreed to a for opposition Majozi of the nation.’ What
deal as apart from his alleged propensity did do? He Madiwa and that allowed
there for burning young revolutionary. But still to stall selling sweetsMoyo is an academic and researcher
example,a the blacks. Economically, we arelook on he Dr Last signed paperscigarettes. white
people “He did the mines and theHe can be said poor
to keep absolutely nothing for allreached at
whatoutside. The economy is very much ‘white’.
the came out,” she was quoted as saying.
disregard party consent building mechanisms and
currently based in Ethiopia. farms,” the
“Mandela let us blacks, He agreed to a bad 49-year-old Majozi country.”
down. but so many
It has a few tokencollective outcomes,who gave people of this Pilane, who runs a roadside
their for the blacks. Economically, we are still on stall selling sweets and cigarettes.
violence
[email protected].
deal subsequent
their life in the struggle have died unrewarded.”
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BY REUTERS
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their life in the struggle have died unrewarded.”
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