South Africa risks sliding back into recidivist politics
"For as long as he lives, South Africans breathe a little easier and believe in their country a little more. When the day after Mandela dawns, that belief will be shaken, not dramatically or immediately, but slowly and perhaps imperceptibly. South Africa will, quite simply, be a different country." That was British Prime Minister David Cameron’s message in the Telegraph, echoing the fears of world leaders about the possible unraveling of South Africa's racial harmony once the charismatic and healing presence of its tallest leader is no more. There are speculations, not only in the South African media but even elsewhere, that in the absence of Nelson Mandela’s guiding principles, the country could once again descend into apartheid politics.
The apprehension is that Blacks would vent their anger and frustration against the Whites. There is a simmering discontent against the white community lording over 80 per cent of the country’s wealth. Till now, Mandela's spiritual and moral authority had had a calming influence. But once that authority is gone, repressed emotions could come to a head. It is debatable whether the current political leadership can be counted on to keep fissiparous forces from taking over. Even Ernst Roets, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AfriForum, has expressed his anxiety on the issue. "We do get calls from people saying they're scared about the day Mandela dies and what they should do. There are fringe organizations that say flee the country."
The fear, though speculative, is not altogether chimerical. There are hate messages doing the rounds of social media. "You guys just wait until the day Mandela dies and then we'll come for you," reads one such threat. A cursory trawl of the Web throws up many such minatory hints. South African whites are reading the tea leaves and taking necessary precautions. There are reports that Whites are building bunkers and stocking food to meet any eventuality. They fear that the restraint that has so far been exercised by black rabble rousers will cease to exist after Mandela.
Such apprehensions may still prove to be unfounded. After all, many tribal clans and communities in South Africa have had their outlook and weltanschauung shaped by Mandela's sterling legacy. To expect them to disown those principles in a jiffy would be heretical to Mandela's ideals and reputation. Also, the country now has a vibrant democracy in place, with strong institutions enshrined. In fact, the post Mandela era could pave the way for some ground-breaking political shift in the African National Congress Party, which has been the political bulwark for South Africa's blacks but has struggled to grow out of Mandela's overpowering influence. While new leaders with a modern outlook and vision could come into their own in the ANC, Mandela's exit could also spawn other political formations for the country's blacks. Global experience shows that multiparty democracy is always a better option.
"For as long as he lives, South Africans breathe a little easier and believe in their country a little more. When the day after Mandela dawns, that belief will be shaken, not dramatically or immediately, but slowly and perhaps imperceptibly. South Africa will, quite simply, be a different country." That was British Prime Minister David Cameron’s message in the Telegraph, echoing the fears of world leaders about the possible unraveling of South Africa's racial harmony once the charismatic and healing presence of its tallest leader is no more. There are speculations, not only in the South African media but even elsewhere, that in the absence of Nelson Mandela’s guiding principles, the country could once again descend into apartheid politics.
The apprehension is that Blacks would vent their anger and frustration against the Whites. There is a simmering discontent against the white community lording over 80 per cent of the country’s wealth. Till now, Mandela's spiritual and moral authority had had a calming influence. But once that authority is gone, repressed emotions could come to a head. It is debatable whether the current political leadership can be counted on to keep fissiparous forces from taking over. Even Ernst Roets, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AfriForum, has expressed his anxiety on the issue. "We do get calls from people saying they're scared about the day Mandela dies and what they should do. There are fringe organizations that say flee the country."
The fear, though speculative, is not altogether chimerical. There are hate messages doing the rounds of social media. "You guys just wait until the day Mandela dies and then we'll come for you," reads one such threat. A cursory trawl of the Web throws up many such minatory hints. South African whites are reading the tea leaves and taking necessary precautions. There are reports that Whites are building bunkers and stocking food to meet any eventuality. They fear that the restraint that has so far been exercised by black rabble rousers will cease to exist after Mandela.
Such apprehensions may still prove to be unfounded. After all, many tribal clans and communities in South Africa have had their outlook and weltanschauung shaped by Mandela's sterling legacy. To expect them to disown those principles in a jiffy would be heretical to Mandela's ideals and reputation. Also, the country now has a vibrant democracy in place, with strong institutions enshrined. In fact, the post Mandela era could pave the way for some ground-breaking political shift in the African National Congress Party, which has been the political bulwark for South Africa's blacks but has struggled to grow out of Mandela's overpowering influence. While new leaders with a modern outlook and vision could come into their own in the ANC, Mandela's exit could also spawn other political formations for the country's blacks. Global experience shows that multiparty democracy is always a better option.
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