Six weeks ago I touched down in London: a born-and-bred Cape Town boy about to start a new job in another country.
While the online smorgasbord of Politicsweb, the Mail & Guardian and Business Day still form a daily news staple, an inevitable sense of detachment from the roiling intrigue of South African politics has crept in. And not merely detachment: perhaps it’s because I’m living in a country, far, far away, that I feel less able — or qualified — to comment about day-to-day political issues.
But I’ve also succumbed to ennui. I’m tired of participating in a debate riddled by crass racial accusations — a discourse where identity prevails instead of ideas, rash insults instead of reason. South African debate is lively — thankfully so — but arguments are too often drowned out by the din of racial politicking. It’s become reflexive — a lazy tic employed by so many commentators. It’s easier to resort to racial stereotypes, or accuse people of being racist, or place blame on our racialised history, than it is to grapple seriously, thoughtfully, considerately with the mammoth challenges South Africa — and Africa — faces.
At the back of my mind every time I consider piping up, is the thought of my own impotence — condemned to irrelevance, almost, thanks to my perceived identity. I can’t avoid those thoughts: what’s the use in saying anything, when whatever I’ll say will be dismissed by a cursory “but he’s just another middle-class, white male”? It would seem my love for South Africa, my desire to see positive, long-lasting change in this country, counts for nothing in the eyes of many. I dream of a nation where all South Africans — black and white, and every shade in between — are prosperous; where children receive a good education; where families receive the support they need; where men and women are able to chart their own lives and shape their own destinies through their own efforts.
That counts for nothing in a media environment palsied by identity politics. Apartheid’s scars were often physical — and certainly social. Glance through the pages of our newspapers or tune into our talk shows, and you will witness that the wicked system’s lingering effects are psychological too. Sadly, the obsession with race, and with what race supposedly says about a person, has only deepened.
After more than 16 years of democracy, an implicit racial bias underpins much of South Africa’s media’s output — both in its commentary and reportage. Many journalists, it seems, are tempted to reinforce a narrative in which the legitimacy of people’s motives or actions are based purely on their skin colour.
I find this particularly evident in coverage of the DA’s governance in the Western Cape — the Makhaza toilet saga being a perfect example. Coverage on the issue laid bare the media’s inherent hostility towards a party perceived as “white”, as well as journalists’ reluctance to obtain facts on the ground that might contradict their sly suggestion that the DA was hell-bent on humiliating township residents.
Now that I’m living in London, a new label — that of expatriate — will of course be slapped onto me, further undermining the “legitimacy” of my contribution to political debate. South Africans can easily misinterpret moving countries as a sign of indifference about the migrant’s homeland: he’s run away; he’s given up; he doesn’t believe in our future. Staying is equated as a vote of confidence in the new South Africa, leaving merely shows contempt for it. Those who believe this forget, of course, that our world is an increasingly globalised one — and that leaving often has very little to do with the faith (or the lack thereof) in the country of one’s birth.
A part of me says this all shouldn’t matter, and that I should be writing about South Africa regardless, in the hope that my views won’t always be completely discarded as self-indulgent musings from an ivory tower. But, for the moment, that argument doesn’t hold sway and, wearied and wary, I’ll be letting my typing fingers rest for a little while yet.
Rest assured: I won’t remain silent forever. That would simply allow victory for the bigots who say political debate is a territory that can only be occupied by those who claim victimhood. For South Africa to move forward, we cannot allow that belief to prevail.
And when you do – do not shut up or let them make you shut up for good.
You must be kidding me. You wrote a whole blog to tell us you are shutting up. And your tiredness with ‘race’ is just typical of being a pale male. It only gets tired when it doesn’t order your oppression. And who accuses you of running away? Certainly not the poor, unemployed majority. This white narcissism and echoing of your own anxieties as being the opinions of others is annoying and you’ve just replicated it. Fortunately, you’ve decided to shut up. Spend time in Black london, dare you, and find that race is alive there for it race never stop stalking those who are victims of white supremacy. We tried to make it go away through reconciliation, but it keeps coming back through white whinging about ‘loving-hating’ south africa, a discussion most south africans of colour don’t even have.
patriotism is stupid anyway. totally artificial. be really honest, do you care more about people because of where they live or were born? isn’t that nationism? a form of global apartheid? a passport is just a dompass.
While away, I trust you will be true to your country and not join those in the SA and Aussie pubs who are rooting for our downfall so they can be proved right for leaving!
Welcome to London Alex, from a black middle class fellow expat. Outside of our country, there is no black or white South African, there’s just South Africa with South Africans finish.
I urge you not to give up on our homeland and not to stop expressing your views (assuming they are not offensive, having never read your blog before).
My is that one day, when we’ve all found or discovered whatever it is we go in search of in foreign lands we’ll return home better people and contribute to the struggle to build our country
Have fun mate, and a pint for me, date woman from other countries cause South African woman will always drag you back here
Ah yes, Rod. Three years living here in Scotland and I met a South African at a conference. He called me a ‘chicken-runner’. In a world of migrancy both wealthy and dirt-poor, only a white South African could come up with that against a total stranger.
“Sadly, the obsession with race, and with what race supposedly says about a person, has only deepened.”
Do you really expect centuries of discrimination, oppression, dehumanization and greed can disappear in a mere span of 16 years?
Do you really honestly believe that if we forget about race, and sweep it under the rug, we will achieve that Rainbow Nation we aspire to?
The architects of apartheid were amoral and cunning short-term thinkers driven by greed. They could care less about the problems future generations would have to contend with or how to reconcile these intractable problems like:
- land ownership
- racial division
- socioeconomic inequity etc.
Their shortsightedness did not factor in that Malcolm X line – “the chickens are coming home to roost”
btw. Good luck with your “job” in the UK!
Ah, this old trick. You think that, by pre-empting the ‘you’ve abandoned the country’ attacks, you somehow weaken their credibility. Not so. Fact is, you have chosen to donate your skills and resources to another economy, in a time when SA desperately needs them. I note you have not explained how you will be contributing to the growth and development of SA in the new ‘globalised world’ from your new home. So ya, from now on stick to whining in London pubs to other expats.
Or you may find that people take your views more seriously now that you are living in a ‘world-class’ city. We South Africans are obsessed with what the rest of the world (that is, the developed world) thinks of us. So it will be interesting to hear your take on things South African from London. Or to compare the kinds of issues that people there are grappling with in relation to the same old issues here. SA is an interesting case I think because it punches above its weight in terms of global significance. Our economy is so small compared to the more developed countries but we’re a leader in Africa and so we need to be considered in global issues. Also, the lasting influence of Mandela, Tutu et al give us moral clout.
alex, your musings about expat status meaning ‘traitor’ to many is sadly a reality in many quarters. however, times…they are a changin as more and more sa siblings settle globally. i think of myself going to europe, rather than wanting to leave sa. the fact that my interests change doesn’t make me less admiring of the delights my home country offers. global experience is a gift to be treasured and shared with pride. speak loudly and eloquently, just as you do now and many will benefit from your perspectives. london is lekker too! enjoy.
I share your thoughts Alex. We are [at least] several decades away from a mentally balanced society. With the current ‘leadership’ firmly entrenched it will be uphill all the way, probably until something breaks…and then THE BIG CLEANUP…
What you say is so very, very true. The words of seasoned experience. A man, like me, frustrated by racial dogma wherever real improvement is identified. People dragging a largely exaggerated apartheid cross and insisting that sack-cloth and ashes are the only way we can extricate ourselves while a self-sppointed ‘elite’ pillage and desecrate the entire country in manner that makes the past look like a picnic. The saddest part for those left behind (like me) is that SA is a beautiful country with the nicest people but which, unable to learn from history, is doomed to repeat it. I’ll just have to keep my head down. I’ll look out for your next epistle.
Good for you. But don’t stay silent too long. Also, I hope one day you return to South Africa. My gripe with people who leave the country is not that they are not patriotic, “he’s run away; he’s given up; he doesn’t believe in our future”. No. It is that I think there is so much to do here to take this country to another level. And I think we need everyone. especially people like you, to make that difference. Anyway, enjoy London.
Hmmm…I’m not sure whether this is a piece ‘pre-empting’ criticism as Joe Fine claims or a quite courageous attempt at honesty, evoking the inevitable ‘how dare you?’ response from Sunshine…. Whichever it is, and whether I like your views or not, it does articulate the feelings of some young South Africans, and it’s given me pause for thought. For us oldies, this particular issue has always been an ‘either/or’ one – stay if you are patriotic; leave if you’re not. Travelling to other countries, working in a different city/culture are quite ‘normal’ choices for middle-class kids the world over. Not sure if we are expecting them to wait for ‘normality’ in South Africa before they are permitted to experience other countries? I’m also not sure why you, Alex, feel the need to be quiet. You’ve made a decision, based on your own judgement, to work somewhere else. So what? I’d shrug my shoulders at the critics and just get on with it. Your future actions – returning to SA or never coming back – will be the real judge of your worth.
@Dave Harris – The majority of the wealth of South Africa lies in the hands of a few. Granted, that most of those few are white.
But the majority of white South Africans are just average middle class wage earners. We struggle along just like all of the middle class here in SA.
Painting all white people with the same tar brush to justify your political stance really indicates just how brain washed by ANC rhetoric you are.
The truth is that the majority of white people are discriminated against legally. The ANC led government continues to segment South Africans based on racial profiling. We will never be one nation united while the ANC continues to sow the seeds of division with its racist policies.
We will never just be able to be South Africans while the ANC led government continues to label us as White South Africans or Indian south Africans or Black South Africans etc.
The future under the ANC is clear.
1)Carry on killing the goose that lays the golden eggs until big business disinvests.
2)Squeeze the white middle class until there is none left.
3) Sell the decayed carcass of the country piecemeal to Chinese interests who will certainly not give a toss about human rights or a constitution.
4)Leave the masses to a life of bondage such as they’ve never seen before.
Come back in, say 30 years, and see if I’m right.
South Africans (all of us of whatever slice or demographic breakdown your preference is) love being victims and bemoaning our ‘terrible’ situation. What compounds this problem is the fact that not one of these South Africans believe that they could be wrong, and that somehow they have a right to this victim attitude – the expat seeking opportunity, the politician seeking enrichment, the poor man expecting hand outs, the middle class seeking roads with no potholes etc etc. If we changed our attitude to one that is forward looking, all races stopped crying about our past or lost dreams, and taking some responsibility for ourselves and our country then maybe we might actually effect a change – and it might be completely different to your expectations so let go of your need to be right…
Welcome to London Alex.
I completely understand your sentiment but you should not remain silent. As long as you views are constructive you should continue to express them, even if they are against the grain, or evoke emotional illogical responses.
Good luck in London
@Alex I am also a pale male but 70 years old. I can quite understand your frustration but the denigration of concerned people is, I think, a human malaise that is to be found in every country, it just wields different implements in different countries. The important thing for concerned people everywhere is just to try to adhere to the principles under-lying any issue on which they wish to express their concern. This way criticism can blow hot and cold but it really does not matter because you are tryingto align yourself with the bigger picture.
You have raised some of the key issues in context of where to now for SA…….aims and aspirations…does it follow a developmental path such as Poland over the past two decades…or does it follow a developmental course closer to an African or South American country. Probably none of the above, but its unlikely to be established Eurocentric (democracy, public morals / ethics).Its likely to be many decades if ever, to achieve the political / social idealism that you seek. As P Harris said – 16 years is nothing, it will take 90 years to get to the ideals that you seek, just ask the Irish – and they are all the same colour they all speak the same language, all culturally orientated to accountable democracy etc. Revision: SA 180 years ? The idealism of youth – sorry mate your screwed!
Alex, exactly what Fiona said – although I’m leaning quite heavily towards the “a quite courageous attempt at honesty” part…
Go soak it all up skapie, and then when you write about SA again, it will be enriched with experience – not because it is from a ‘world-class city’ as Pete pointed out, but because you will be able to place experiences of other cultures parallel to your experience of ours, and the differences and similarities will become even more clear.
Oh Dave Harris! Good to see you are still here buddy – I’ve been missing your comments on the M&G Online. I feared the loss of my favourite guilty pleasure and that I might need to start watching soaps again to fill the void…
Alex, interesting point of view, one shared by many, I reckon. But it’s important to remember that you have your own specific circumstances. Don’t let yourself get painted into a corner, which is what the “stayers” and “leavers” will try to do (traitor/whinger v realist/confidant). Just be content with your choice, whether it’s temporary or long term.
Apologies for the self-promotion, but this may be a book worth looking into:
http://www.twodogs.co.za/staygo.htm
@StevieWonder the sooner the kind of ideals @Alex is promoting are realised the better for all of us but it is inappropriate to tie our commitment to those ideals to a time frame. The ideals if they mean anything at all are independent of any time frame.
Alex, the ‘label’ for foreigners here in the UK is ‘immigrant’ not expatriate (unless you think you are different to millions of other economic, intellectual and social migrants in the UK). Wellcome to Britain!
International experience is a good thing for anyone. To comment on your sense of disillusionment, there are many positive factors about SA. Despite having a very strange form of democracy and a somewhat toxic political culture, the vast majority of South Africans are neither racists nor exclusionists. The exception is in the political milieu, where a culture of using both has emerged simply as they are such useful political tools, and can be used by political opportunists quite cynically. The best hope for SA is in its people as a whole, its civic society, and the goodwill in the nation. The unfortunate reality is that if SA succeeds, it will be despite, not because of, the toxic elite and the politicians. SA deserves better leadership, across the board.
I am a pale male in SA, and recently I received a Highly Skilled Migrant visa for the UK. I have been agonising for some time about the “patriot vs traitor” debate, that pretty much was part of the indoctrination of the apartheid regime. I know it’s no picnic for an “immigrant” in the UK (I worked there before for some months). But the personal experience with a steadily declining level of “civilisation” and particularly constantly being treated like a piece of garbage in my own country due to a Constitution (the best in the world I understand) that has conveniently racism embedded in it’s Equality Clause, just is getting too much for me. I was one of the “naive” South Africans who believed that things would “improve” for all when we got rid of the hated apartheid – boy was I ever wrong. However bad the apartheid regime was, today I see a more blatantly racist and corrupt ANC (African National Criminals) regime in place that cares only about their own power and enrichment in typical African (read Mugabe) fashion than the apartheid regime could ever hope to be. Well yesterday I almost had my “white middle-class” house that I “stole” from the country’s black people burnt down by a criminal arson gang that is operating in the area. The police don’t give a damn about it, so today I’m looking for cardboard boxes to start packing. The debate can go and screw itself.
Enjoy the weather and the poms. Don’t be so bloody precious, I am sure we will survive in spite of your temporary “silence”.
Nationalism is on the way out, praise be. It should be possible to live in various places without being seen as spurning the place where you were born. And perhaps, when we can all relate positively to any country that engages our attention, we’ll all relate more positively and intelligently to this beautiful planet as a whole. I care about every oil spill, every instance of oppression everywhere …