Fifteen years into the post-apartheid new South African dispensation we’re hearing growing groans and murmurs lamenting the long-lost dream of 1994. This was a central theme of Cope parliamentary leader Dr Dandala’s campaign speeches as he criss-crossed the country and it prominently features in the Dinokeng Scenarios Report in the form of the “Promise of 1994″.
Maybe we were allowed to believe in this dream, and it certainly had its merits in at least creating a semblance of national unity and ensuring a peaceful transition. The dream of a non-racial, non-sexist united post-apartheid South Africa working together to create a better life for all had its utility, and I don’t think it’s entirely naive to cling to such a noble idea.
The cracks, however, are showing, and they’ve been showing for quite some time. We’re seeing increasingly violent “service-delivery” protests and the resurgence of the Afrikaner right wing (although I wouldn’t declare a state of emergency just yet). The country is marked by deteriorating socio-economic conditions, an education and healthcare crisis, sky-rocketing contact and violent crime rates, and a state and government increasingly run like a family business.
I am starting to see George Carlin’s point — I think we call it the dream of 1994 because, like the American Dream, you have to be asleep to believe it. South Africans were pacified by politicians and propaganda into accepting a negotiated settlement that was ultimately the product of consensus and not of confronting the real, deep-seated issues that would inevitably return to plague this new South Africa. Moreover, in successive election campaigns and in subsequent packed stadium addresses South Africans have been sold one dream after the other: “working together we can do more”, “one nation, one future” and “a new agenda for hope and change”.
It seems we have come full circle though, and there are those attempting to resurrect this dream of 1994, this figment of our collective imagination, when what we really need is a wake-up call and to resurrect a nation in a deep slumber of apathy. Sadly, however, those who do wake up, those who do question the failures and promises of houses and jobs and food for all go about burning libraries, municipal buildings and foreigners, expressing their disappointment and disillusionment in the only way they know to work effectively. Even worse, those of us who dare question this dream publicly are decried as racists, counter-revolutionaries and accused of attempting to incite backwards debates; marginalised and sidelined for daring to differ with the status quo.
I think it’s safe to say that for the majority of South Africans the dream of 1994 is long dead, long have we slumbered, dreaming of a “stupid racist rainbow” nation instead of critically reflecting on and pro-actively addressing the very real social, economic and politically challenges. The euphoria of the post-apartheid 1994 Mandela era is over and cynicism is creeping in. Will we continue sleeping, dreaming, having nightmares plagued by crime, the AWB and Julius Malema?
“Dreams are but the illusion that we put upon ourselves to make life in an unbearable world liveable” (anonymous) — when we refuse to face reality. South Africa doesn’t need another saviour, South Africans need to stop dreaming about saviours and salvation and wake up to realise that we are individually responsible for their own salvation, for their own reality, for our present and future reality. The dream of 1994, a noble and respectable dream, cannot be achieved when fast asleep, indeed, as the wise, gay wizard Albus Dumbledore remarked: “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” Vuka sizwe! Vuka Mzansi vuka!
Well done Marius!!
At last someone says it.
Apartheids hangover is still too strong. Nothing can be said or done constructively anymore because we as South Africans cannot move forward.
Even the current governments negligence and incompetence gets blamed on pre ’94 mistakes.
No one is really agreeing on anything and there seems to be plenty of disillusionment.
It’s as if we are a hopelessly blind country that uses a emblem “proudly South African” to compensate for our shortcommings.
I don’t even know what’s left to be proud of.
We’ve turned in to a circus
Very thought provoking my friend. I love reading your work.
We need to face reality that the only way we can turn this country around is by doing our bit. We can no longer depend on the government to provide us with safety, a good education and a good life – we have to provide for ourselves and those around us. Lets start COPEing….
Can somebody tell me what were the last election results in those places currently experiencing service delivery protests. I bet thsoe areas were won comprehensively by the ANC. Dont those protesters realise the power of their vote, in national and local elections? Why dont they refuse to fall for the common trick of sending some political bigwig to their area one week before the election to promise all sorts of things to secure their vote, and then disappear for 5 years?
A young Zambian Economist has recently published her opinion on the effects of foreign aid to Africa.
http://www.dambisamoyo.com/deadaid.html
She reckons that this aid has produced the current Africa we see: conflicts, hunger and illnesses of any kind as well as the culture of begging, bribery and corruption.
Naturally, her story has been attacked from many quarters. NGO’s on the front-line as it undermines their livelihood.
Read and judge for yourself as the mirror has two sides.
This platform is increasingly becoming just another Shikota mouthpiece. So far, today alone,T hursday that is, there are atleast three posts from Cope’s own lackeys–Khaya, JJ & now the ever energetic youngone: Marius, and to no one’s surprise, they’re all pushing the Shikota drum. Snouts deep in the trough.
I have been shouting loud on this forum since the Tsumani of Zims crossing our borders Jan 2008.
I forecast the collapse of utilities. All are now in decay and crisis. Present is the water.
I have been rude and sarcastic heckling readers to get involved. I have been a pest on most forums to the point I am censored.
A last final reminder from this octogenarian.
Malema is building a “Hitler Jugen” with anti-white speech – and we find him extremely “funny.” He is lethal and true colours will be seen after 2010.
The Jews though Hitler was a comedian with his rantings. They refused to leave Germany and millions did not – they ended up in Crematoriums.
Thank about AFRICA – its history and present attitude to citizens.
We are not only passive we are inviting by our silence, Zimbabwe strategies.
My advice to young people – get out and build a life for yourselves.
Apologies for all the typo’s my eyesight is “leaving” me.
It’s my platform and was given to me, and like the late Biko, “I write what I like” and you can respond however you want, Dear Siphiwo Siphiwo. Does Zuma control your purse strings? I had no idea that JJ would be writing something – and if you please note, mine was written yesterday, only published today.
Also, if you read more than just the opening line of every contributor’s article you’d see, in mine at least, that I criticised Dandala’s “Dream of 1994″.
You’re like an empty tin can. You just make a noise and god alone knows what the point is.
This is not a party position, this is my opinion. If you can’t constructively criticise it or engage with it, you’re wasting my time, and your bandwith, really.
Or is it a government departments bandwith?
The decline of SA, it unfolds in a aura of tragic farce, or is it a young country finding its way in an increasingly complex and fast changing world?
Though I fear the reach of its past history settles over the nation as debilitating dementia.
Common sense and common destiny is missing in buckets. Then again Namibia has creaked along, not what we perhaps want to emulate. So many choices of course – the low road perhaps is as good as it gets.
Well put. As a young South African, sometimes it becomes hard to understand the motives behind our politicians. But since the result of the dream of 1994 are a nightmare in reality, hoping for the best is the last thing on my mind.
This means that I will be among the faces of change in the not so distant future. Great article Mnr Redelinghuys.
What really irks me is that 14 years have been squandered enriching few to maintain the status quo, at the expense of the many.
The global and local crises create the opportunity for people to reflect. Which can only be a good thing. Especially if it leads to constructive action impacting on the status quo, which is clearly not sustainable.
Leaders, both in politics and in business, must be held accountable.
Perhaps it’s time to start doing instead of talking. Think of something that needs doing (surely such possibilities are all around us – just open your eyes)…and DO IT!
Make something, anything, better than it was before. Then do the same everyday. it doesn’t have to be monumental. After a while lots of little things will add up.
Oh yes, one more thing – excellence. Always try to do it better and better.
Good luck!
At risk of being perceived as an idealist, I would like to suggets that they younger generations are doing bettee than the older (our youth leader excluded) and that most south Africans,m whatever their political persuasion genuinely want to get on with things, try to get along as far as is necessary for the smooth operation of things, and build a country to be proud of.
Recently the public conversation has returned to the old grudges and sticking points that were possibly ignored during the hype of the “dream” years.
Nevertheless, I feel this return to rehashing old fueds, racist divides, and identity-politics is also not a fair representation of the actual state of most people’s minds. Certainly some of our leaders might still be in that bitter mind space, but as one of my girlfriends said when an Afrikaans girl was saying she was told she is a Nat, “isn’t that all in the past. does that still happen?”
We could take a hint from Germany, and not live in guilt and/or a spirit of vengence, but realsie we all enjoy a good beer at sunset and untill then, get on with our jobs and roles in society. check out… http://alightsouthafrican.blogspot.com/ for something hopeful and lighthearted. Thought leader is way too gloomy these days, do we talk this bitterly in real life, or are we too PC for that?
Agree the Rainbow dream is gone but what dream do you suggest/punt in its place, be specific and practical?
Brent
@siphiwo siphiwo never constructive ,mind you ,you could be blind,as you cant see our country falling too pieces.just look at the control of ESKOM, SABC. our AIRLINE next TRANSNET?? what and whose next? maybe the farms .Dear old lady paleface you are so right
zap it in a zibi can sip sip. Unless you have a valid point to make that is.
Great article Marius. I especially love your Siphiwo chirp. Siphiwo, you and Philipa Lipinski have the most ridiculous commentary on M&G – no point, usually ranting on some tangent, not even covered by the article. Please read and comment on the article rather than regurgitating mindless propaganda.
Brent, I don’t for one moment believe that non-racialism, non-sexism, unity and a common national identity is irrelevant or unachievable. These are worthy ideals, something we need to pursue and work towards.
I am, however, saying that we need to inject it with a healthy dose of reality, and a good measure of constructive criticism. We have been, we are, pretending and sleeping, and we can’t achieve this dream eyes wide shut.
I think we need to go back to square one, where we should’ve started immediately post-transition. There are very real political, social and economic challenges: racism, unemployment, a lack of transformation, corruption, cronyism, nepotism and a plethora of other issues that need not be issues or should not be tolerated.
It’s time that we, South Africans, again – instead of resurrecting dreams – resurrect an active citizenry that can organise and push for real change not very unlike the UDF of old.
“”It’s time that we, South Africans, again – instead of resurrecting dreams – resurrect an active citizenry that can organise and push for real change not very unlike the UDF of old. “”
How I wish !
Keep raising this issue please, Marius. People need to stand up and be heard to save our democracy and a functioning country.
Old Female Pale Face..I hear what you say, and often respect your commentary. I am young,educated with a very marketable profession, yet I choose to stay and fight the Corruption, Nepotism, Greed, Selfenrichement and Incompetence ,which like a Crude and Vulgar beacon out there,..is the ANC. This is my home, after all..and without getting too philosophical now..life without a purpose and a challenge..is surely just an existence,isnt it..and there is nothing to be proud, in that.
Permit me to plagiarize from a recewent newspaper article by Lebo Mashile(I hope she will not mind).
…One of the unifying aspects of SA identity is the fact that it excludes just about everyone.If you are poor, you don’t have access to resources.If you are white, you can’t be a real African.If you are rural, you don’t have access to infrastructure.If you are coloured, you don’t have a culture.If you spent time in exile, you don’t have an understanding of the authentic SA experience.If you are an Indian,you already have another culture.If you are an African foreigner, then you need to go back and fix your country.If you are gay, then you are an abomination anyway, you don’t belong to God, so you can’t belong to us.” I might add the recent TL article about “authentic balcks” vs “coconuts.” And so on…
“Snouts deep in the trough.”
Sipza, your comments are making less and less sense. Some progress, huh? Like Cde Harris, you have to write a comment on everything, your line already taken based some AND/OR equation in your mandate. It’s boring. There are people way further left that you who comment in a way that might totally blast an author, an article or an idea such as this one but make a lot of sense, express their viewpoint and it doesn’t matter whether one agrees, disagrees, whatever, you’re unlikely to be left indifferent.
Which snouts are in the trough? Shikota’s? Which trough? The political trough has their porky snouts, doubtless, but they only get a very little bit of the pie scraps, commensurate with their votes, and I’m sure they don’t have much influence on government business these days, parastatals and the like. Who do the rest of the snotty trough snouts belong to, which porcine politicians? Who is eating most of the mashed potato up? Who has even left the trough behind and trotted their roast pork legs up into the hotel kitchen?