the planet project

Why South Africa is under the weather

South Africa’s recent renown as a soccer venue has raised the profile of the most developed country in Africa. Most people remember fondly the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the triumph of democracy over apartheid. The ‘Rainbow Nation’ was touted as a successful black state and a blueprint for the peaceful implementation of democracy in Africa. But democracy in Africa has a notoriously unsuccessful history and South Africa’s new leader may prove to be no exception to the dictatorial stereotype that plagues the continent’s leaders.

Ubuntu: A Blessing or a Curse?

South African culture is based on Ubuntu – the noble system which gives each person a role in society and lays out a purpose and guidelines for their lives. This is a system which encourages neighbours to share crops and take care of each other. Their pain is your pain; their victories are your victories. Each person is a witness to your life as you are to theirs. Ubuntu is both the tie that binds and the tie that restrains. This loyalty to kin requires people to act in ways that are not necessarily in their own best interest, to vote according to tribal affiliations rather than for the political party which most closely meets their needs. Leaders who are in power are not accountable; power is their right –not a privilege.

Dictator Rising

 Enter Julius Malema, president of the ANC Youth League, and unabashed demagogue. In March 2010, Malema was found guilty of hate speech after repeatedly singing the controversial “Shoot the Boer (white farmer)” song at political rallies. In April, he visited Zimbabwe on an ‘indigenization’ tour where he praised Robert Mugabe and suggested that the land seizures which have brought that country to its knees, be implemented in South Africa. He fatuously criticized Morgan Tsvangeri – Zimbabwe’s democratic opposition leader – and accused him of being in league with imperialists. Accusing one of imperialism is somewhat outdated in these parts, especially a man of Tsvangeri’s ilk.

The Malema madness continued. He criticized the Movement for Democratic Change for having their offices in Sandton – a rich suburb of Johannesburg. When a BBC journalist pointed out that that Malema also lived in Sandton, Malema let fly with a string of insults – accusing the journalist (among other things) of having ‘rubbish in his trousers’.

Zuma’s Response

This attack on the foreign press finally prompted a response. The unfailing support and devotion that SA President Zuma and Malema had displayed towards each other gave way as Zuma publicly chided Malema for his behaviour. Malema responded in style, accusing the president of being like Thabo Mbeki – the man he ousted from power to claim the presidency. The animosity peaked and soon charges against Malema were dropped, he was given a slap on the wrist and sent to an anger management class.

He continued to praise Mugabe in public and sniff out one controversy after another – displaying a knack for falling on the wrong side of every moral issue. He had also come under attack for awarding government contracts in the hundreds of millions to companies he had created. He dismissed these claims as ‘racist’ saying whites did not want to see black businessmen succeed. All the claims had been made by black South Africans. He released personal details of black journalists who had been critical of his business dealings including the identity numbers, addresses, bank details and car registrations of their wives and children. He led a youth league foray to Venezuela to study the politics of socialism and has begun to arm and train his cadres at both military and naval bases. Many people have called for his immediate dismissal (there is even a Facebook site to this end) but I think Julius Malema is the bitter tonic to South Africa’s afflictions.

 Cruel to be Kind

Malema madness is so extreme, so obviously malignant that it may just be the jolt that South Africans need to wake them from their malaise. Malema’s outrageous statements have garnered criticism from all quarters. He defiles the names of the true heroes of the struggle which he speaks of as though he was there. He was 13 when South Africa had its first democratic election. He is the parasite on the flanks of the ANC which will weaken the party and allow true democratic opposition in a government gone rogue.

Yes, indeed! South Africa needs Malema as he so egregiously bumbles through ‘How to be an African Dictator’ as though his role has been scripted. His rank outspoken racism offends even the staunchest ANC supporters and encourages opposition. So far removed are we from the solidarity that Mandela conjured that I scarcely recognize the country of my birth. Let us dream again of Mandela’s Africa – such sweet reveries.