TO destroy everything coming from colonialism and say that colonialism left nothing positive, is to be like a king who captured a pirate who stole from him, only to discover that the pirate’s ship was stacked with more gold and treasures than the king had ever had – including maps of the oceans that the pirates had gathered over generations of travelling the seas and islands; modern weaponry, spices, seeds, modern medicine and discoveries; information about other nations, enemies, pirates and systems that other kings used to govern successfully. But the king decided to take the gold and treasures for himself and burn the ship with all its valuables to ashes, simply because the king hated the pirates.
If the king were wise, he would have taken the valuable resources and learned from the lessons to fortify and advance his own city, because it wouldn’t be long before another pirate ship would come along and attack the king and steal from him and his people. Unfortunately, that is the story of Africa. One thing that many African countries have in common is that they celebrate independence day as if it was yesterday. Yet the best buildings and infrastructure the governments still use today were built by colonialists or ‘foreigners.’
After years of poor maintenance the buildings and structures are falling apart, but are still better than those the ‘new leaders’ have come up with. Another thing they have in common is that the ‘kings’, governments, their families and connections have managed to capture all the gold and treasures of the land for themselves while most of the common people are dirt poor and defenceless. And then, after enough time, another pirate ship moves in, called the Chinese. If you travel through Africa you will see what I mean: they move in and take over the resources and move it all out of the country and away from the people. The sad thing is that in most instances the government doesn’t care, because they get their share and they don’t know how to do it better anyway.
Colonialism is bad; it’s a corporate form of bullying and oppressing others for personal gain and profit, but one thing that we shouldn’t do is burn down and destroy all the ‘valuable resources’ that were built and gathered through colonialism. Even though the manner in which it was gained was wrong and unjustifiable, at least we all have it in our hands now, so stop burning it down and destroying it. Let’s rather use it, learn from it and move forward. Hatred has never built anything up – it only destroys.
Nelson Mandela has put SA back on the world map and proved that a rainbow nation is possible, but the only way to build a nation is to leave hatred and indifferences aside. Just like you can’t fight a fire with fire, you can’t fight racism with racism or selective racism. If you hate the past apartheid government or colonialists, then prove that you are better by avoiding the same actions. If you choose to hate and oppress simply because you are now in the upper position, you are no better.
I am utterly disappointed in Mmusi Maimane. He has just proven that he is not a leader, but rather a backbone-less puppet dancing for the masses. Instead of being rational he chooses to be racial. Why? Because it’s much easier to gather votes from the masses than to stand up for a dream that’s hard to achieve. I know the minority white votes don’t mean anything to him, but in his act of populism he has also forsaken the Blacks, Coloureds, Indians, Asians and every other race that believes in the dream of a rainbow nation in South Africa. The DA have always stood between the far lefts and far rights as a beacon of hope without colour. Yet, he has turned his back on that idea, only to dance for the crowds that are making the loudest noise.
It’s so sad to see that happening to so many good people – once they taste power they lose sight of their initial dreams and desires and become addicted to power. The reason why Nelson Mandela was such a phenomenal leader was because he stood steadfast on his dreams and ideals. When he had full power to do what he wanted he still chose to do what was right, even if it was against the demands and desires of the masses.
I think we should have more open discussions about facts and move away from the old ‘race card’. It’s time to find solutions – blaming another race or colour is not a solution at all. I also think it’s fair to say: “Look at all the good things we have. Let’s value them, maintain, improve and use them to their full potential so that everyone can gain from them”.
We have such a beautiful country, with wonderful people from many different races and colours, but our leaders are destroying it through their inability to tame the hatred and racism in their own hearts.
Andries Erasmus
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Alberton Record: 060 644 5264 Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
