Township blacks will not say the precise moment when it hit them, but it was a good few days after township “klever” Irvin Khoza allegedly made a booboo by calling a black journalist a “kaffir”.
Slow thinkers that they are, they have now started noticing that the wise guys who protest too much about Khoza’s use of the words are neither called “kaffir” themselves nor black.
Maybe Jody Kollapen and Alex Boraine are correct to see this as a human rights issue. Or maybe they have no business to speak up on behalf of blacks without first consulting them. Or it’s that the use of the K-word is something that most whites still need to discuss with their psychiatrists. I am not sure.
But the more I follow this furore, the more I realise that blacks have no problem with calling each other “kaffir” — or “nigger”, for that matter. They understand what the words mean in a black context.
And let the record show that I mean no disrespect to self-appointed spokespersons for black people. In between these “outsiders” to the black township cultural milieu deciding what is good for the people, blacks are concerned that they are not consulted for their opinion on the matter.
In fact, many that I have spoken to say whites and other non-blacks are exquisitely and monumentally delusional, of course, to think that even in a free democracy other people must speak for blacks. It is their fundamental belief that nobody has the right to speak on behalf of blacks, including some blacks.
I am doing the honourable thing as a mere messenger of what some blacks think and say. It is important to say, without hurting anybody, that many blacks in the townships do not mind if Irvin calls another black a kaffir.
In fact, kaffirs do exist! The biggest sin will always be: Who says it?
Anyway, let’s politicise Khoza’s use of the K-word. It is an interesting political crisis that is, unintentionally, poised to deprogramme black people from a deep-seated inferiority complex and self-hate inculcated by centuries of colonialism and apartheid.
The time may be right for a society that has been undergoing transition for the past 13 years to appreciate new methods of defining the meaning of words and understanding their use in blunt, intense and provocative public speech.
The K-word is now having its theatrical outplay after being kept out of our political-correctness-charged times ever since self-styled kwaito king Arthur Mafokate released his album Don’t Call Me Kaffir in the early 1990s.
The use of the K-word has been taboo for whites. But, now, it seems that the ban has been extended to include blacks for whom its pejorative and derogatory meaning was intended.
Khoza’s right to freedom of self-expression and speech has effectively been suppressed as a result of white guilt following the negative meaning and connotation that they have always attached to the word.
But now that he has brought it out of the closet, pseudo-liberal forces both within the white community and their black imitators have forced him to apologise and hush up any use of the word lest it raise the spectre of the apartheid past that haunts us.
Perhaps we should ask the Pan South African Language Board (Pansalb) to step into this matter to provide thought-leadership and clear the air about how blacks and whites understand and use certain words that are part of our apartheid cultural baggage.
It is important for us to understand that languages, especially words, are the primary carriers of culture, which is an ever-changing, dynamic and progressive development towards nation building and redefinition of identity and heritage.
Khoza has been subjected to psychological harassment that has an unintended consequence of bringing apartheid ghosts tumbling from the closet and denying blacks the right to appropriate word meaning. In fact, his use of the word has not necessarily harmed the image and integrity of black people. It is for this reason that he has no business to apologise.
Instead, the brouhaha that has been stirred does not come from black people themselves. Largely, the blacks have been indifferent with the whites doing the protestation on their behalf, as usual.
This is a disturbing and unfortunate development.
But the panic and hysteria that has been caused in the white social and cultural circles is a sad farce of good intentions.
The conclusion that should be drawn on this matter is that it is a combination of white guilt and political correctness.
Both positions grow out of white intentions to denigrate and dehumanise black humanity who now want to impose their holier-than-thou political position on their former victims.
It would be advisable for those who purport to speak on behalf of black people to consult. Perhaps they may learn that Khoza is not at fault. Yes, it would be insightful to hear the views of blacks themselves.
In fact, Khoza has been correct to assert that the word has a totally different meaning in a township cultural context.
As things stand now, things have gotten controversial simply because non-black interference stigmatise “kaffir” as something that is taboo and should never be used in public discourse.
But this is exactly what will prevent us from shedding our apartheid baggage and contribute to suppression of freedom of expression and speech.
The open secret about Khoza’s use of the word, especially among blacks intuitively connected to township culture, is that despite its negative connotation in white minds, his serious intention was to question the integrity of a journalist who peddles prejudice and stereotypes about Africa’s prospect of hosting a successful World Cup.
What got to him was a perception that the media are hell-bent on perpetuating the view that 2010 is destined to fail simply because it is managed by blacks (sic).
Now, anyone who holds such view in the 21st century characterised by the African renaissance deserves to be called a kaffir because he or she perpetuates outdate racist stereotypes and prejudice.
This is part of our self-redefinition and expanding the meaning of words to fit into a new socio-cultural vocabulary that will help ultimately to break with white guilt, political correctness and a deep-seated inferiority complex.
Well, Khoza’s faux pas may not yet be appreciated, now. But we need to keep an open mind and listen to what he had in his own mind.
After all, the meaning of a word is not in the word itself, but in people’s heads.
Unlike the rose, the K-word does not smell the same to black and white.
If blacks can use that word, then whites can use it too.
Sandile I thought that we weren’t aloud to use the “N” word because it caused great offence.
I wrote away to the Gauteng Premier who told me that while “Nedbank” shouldn’t have repo-ed my car it was still okay to use the “N” word.
Love your stuff – reminds me of Bridget McNulty – you just feel good after reading your posts!
Please don’t start baking cupcakes…
Let us all be thankful that Mr. Memela and Mr. Khoza are so tightly wired into black culture. Thanks for explaining how the the K word has become a noun.
Now that we have thanked these two icons of black liberation, let us pelt them since they are both liars.
I don’t know which township Mr. Memela comes from but I would wager a large sum (many not as much as Mr. Memela could wager given his gravy train salary) that he has never been called a “Kaffir” in a constructive way, or a jovial way by another black person. And if he was I don’t think he took it well.
If you read between Mr. Memelas wobbly lines you realise that what he is trying to say is that the vast majority of the black population (people like Khaya Dlanga http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/khayadlanga/2008/02/22/blacks-can-use-the-k-word-and-whites-cant/) are “Kaffirs” because the vast majority of the black population do not share the same egotistical, weakly rationalised view on the use of that word. IT HAS ONLY ONE MEANING BOETIE stop bullshitting for the sake of bullshitting.
I’d love to see you try to pull this shit with members of the youth league in the same room.
Sandile 2 of your blogs in a row that I can sort of agree with. There is hope after all. You are correct; kaffers do exist and praise be to Khoza for reminding us all of it.
The people infected with the disease of liberalism will always protest. They always do. Liberals hold candle light vigils and jump up and down on behalf of others for what they think is offensive. That is what liberals do.
White guilt and PC are offensive, as are their promoters. Dont let these creatures take away your freedom of thought. Now you also see them as the enemy. Welcome to the club.
We differ on one issue. To predict failure in africa, or 2010, is not a kaffer mentality. It is reality. Everything managed by Blacks has failed. Based on past experience, it is the only conclusion. Show us a success and maybe we will change our minds.
I have to admit, as a white person, when I first read about this in the news, my shock and horror was a direct result of my belief that nobody was allowed to use that word. I never really considered that it could be used in the way the Irvin intended it. I thought there was only one way to use it. Thanks for the insight.
Sandile,
I recall that when growing up during apartheid, that some white South Africans used to also refer to people from England as “white kaffirs”.
I myself have also been called such, due to my accent and appearance.
If I were to call a U.K citizen a “W-K” in public: what do you think the reaction would be? Would that be fair?
I’ve just finished reading your post and those of Pierre de Vos and Ndumiso Ngcobo and I’ve been handed a great big platter of food for thought.
My knee-jerk reaction when I hear the K word is one of deep disgust (I actually get nauseous – weird, I know). However, reading the various opinions about the word has caused me to reconsider what it means to others, rather than just what it means to me. I still hate the word and have never, and hopefully will never, use it but I now have an insight into how others interpret its meaning.
Thanks for that.
Dear Mr Memela,
I must firstly indicate a few things to you. First, ke motho o montsho, ntate (I’m black) ebile, ke goletse lekeisheneng (i grew up in the township). Secondly, i speak not in representation of a group of black people – but as a young black person who finds offence in Mr Irvon Khoza’s utterances for the following reasons.
Look, firstly i agree that as part of culture words mean different things to different people, and in particular, indeed kaffir has i different meaning depending on context (who says it, and why). Now as far as i know there is a distinction between “kaffir” and “coconut” in the township. Your line…
“anyone who holds such view in the 21st century characterised by the African renaissance deserves to be called a kaffir because he or she perpetuates outdate racist stereotypes and prejudice” sounds to me more like what we, in the township refers to as rather a coconut or what Suresh Roberts, taking from Fanon, calls “colonial creature”… an example of these black individuals today are said to be people like “Mondli Makhanya, Justice Malala, etc” as you’ll know them.
And for me or rather my understanding, these individuals, who are hell-bent on the negative to a point of distortions and absurdly exeggerating issues – including implying that black people can’t govern (for bizzarely undecipherable reasons) are indeed – coconuts – wannabes – multi – orio – in the context of what we mean by that, ko kasi (in the township).
Now Mr Memela, there’s one thing i’d want to understand from you, our black representative – when Mr Khoza says “you’re behaving like a kaffir” or “you’re acting like a kaffir” – how exactly does a kaffir behaves like? Did i mention, the explanation you’re providing sounds to me like a reference to a coconut and etc as i understand (me Lehlohonolo from the township)? So, the kaffir behaviour that i know of (and i must add, i need for you to tell me at which township exactly does the meaning refers to what you twist it to mean?) in the township, is of a fondly reference to fellow black people, particularly to take out the pejorative in the meaning. But then, maybe we are from different township – very possible.
So please Mr Memela, until Irvin Khoza provides us with something pallatable for a rather egregiously insulting use of the phrase – i’d feel insulted. And you can call me whatever you want for that. For you information, black people as you claim to know, still make use of that word, even i have been called that by other black people – but it was definitely not to say – i think like Mondli Makhanya, Sipho Seepe, Justice Malala and other disspointing so-called black intellectuals!
I am sadly hurt to hear that our people still polish the word Kaffir. The word Kaffir means only one thing, there is nothing like the perception of blacks and whites. The word means that when you are black it means you are filthy stincking rubbish.It is not the kind of word that must be used in the democracy country if it is democracy country. The guy needs to apologies nomatter who he is,we fought for this apartheid movement together and being called Kaffirs and it was hurt and now you expect us to be polite about what Khoza is saying,it is unfortunately that won’t happen.
This incident is the same as the one that happened at University of the Free State about whites who treat our Sisters and Mothers like Pigs. This needs to end or it will bring another conflicts that I believe it will never end. People need to think like humanbeings not like horrible monsters and especially we blacks needs to hold on to each other and show other nation that we still can.
For example, maybe he is treating his players like Kaffirs, who knows? He won’t just say the words without used to it. He is used to that word and he will step down from that seat if he can’t behave like the true leader, We need a true leader not someone who does not have the characteristics of leadership. This is caused by greadness.People who are wealthy usually treat people like their face cloth. We need to think positive and stop letting water to enter our torritories if we need to succeed in this life and make our country the beloved country. We must stop creating enemies amongst ourself, and if we do thenwe let other nation to come and control our values, markets and with that this country will tend into shameless country. It will be something like from success to deficit.
Cheers good people.
And now almost all the blogs on this forum are headlining with Kaffir.
I’m sorry – that’s just sensationalism. Sure, the topic needs to discussed and wow – what an emotive topic but hello?! If the K-word is so kak – why headline with it?
We could just as easily say “Fucking Fed-Up about Racist Speech”. But somehow that wouldn’t – a. pass the censors and b. get readers as quickly as one with the K-word as header.
It’s important to talk these things out, and not keep them hidden under a veneer of political correctness – so for that, I’m grateful for your article, Sandile. I think ‘kaffir’ could well be reclaimed, rehabilitated as a term, as others have suggested. I think you’re probably right that most of the angst-ridden critique thus far has come from affronted white people. But so much of your rhetoric here is inflammatory and, frankly, racist, that sadly your credibility is in serious disrepair.
You put your views forward as representing all black people everywhere – it’s unsurprising that you “mean no disrespect to self-appointed spokespersons for black people”, since you put yourself forward as one, with unrestricted access to the inner realities of all black people in our country. ‘Blacks’ think this, feel that, want the other – and if any black person feels differently, they’re a mere “black imitator [of the 'white community']“. As the comments above show, such generalisations are absurd, and typify the practices of racists everywhere – making race and racial history the only possible axis of identity, culture, thought and practice.
You go on to lambast the vexed “white liberals” who didn’t consult ‘black opinion’ before speaking out, for their apparently ‘colonial tools’ of “political correctness” and “white guilt”. Political correctness we can agree on – but on the latter, what you’re saying is ‘whites are guilty of white guilt’. So even feeling contrite (often for the acts of people they dislike and disagree with) and wanting to right past wrongs – that’s a colonial tool, a racist offence? If so, brother, is this country in trouble. Maybe we should try a little sympathy for the hand-wringing white-liberals who genuinely mean what they say, mistaken and misguided or otherwise.
To say, ‘only blacks can talk about black issues’ is to imply ‘only whites can talk about whites issues’, and so forth. Isn’t that just a new kind of political correctness? And most worryingly – doesn’t it begin to resemble some of the awful schisms of our past?
@Lehlohonolo Don’t expect a response the wind has been let out of the bag.
I feel we as quickly as possible need to roll over this old guard.
…………….“Boesman”, “Kaffir”, “Coolie”, were all terms used to inculcate inferiority and a negative self image to retain control, and for groups of people to understand and internalise their societal position.
Any human being can and should challenge (perceived) “racism” and condemned it as a collective wrong.
It appears, as if it is challenging as to how, we make meaning regarding the notions, of race, racialism, racism and anti racism. We need to be gradual as the interregnum lingers on.
The “k word” smells the same, to many anti racist South Africans, it is a pejorative term, with negative onnotations………………………..
Dear Sandile, If I commit murder(calling others kaffir)- If I commit suicide (calling myself a kaffir) Any difference?
‘In fact, Khoza has been correct to assert that the word has a totally different meaning in a township cultural context.’
OK so you’ve slapped the PC whities on the wrist for their dirty liberal ways – but you’ve failed to explain to us exactly what your eKasi meaning of ‘kaffir’ is?? I can’t believe I waded through all this nonsense and I’m still none the wiser? Enlighten us please! Personally I don’t care what you call each other – a man is judged alone by what he does.
Poor Sandile. Blasted when he harangues white racists, blasted when he harangues black racists,blasted when he harangues white liberals for speaking on behalf of blacks blasted when he defends the use of the word kaffir. Never a break for him in minefield of the PC world. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
Come Sandile, join us white racists, we at least dont stab you in the back. And we are in a laager so you can shoot out in all directions and be safe!
White racism has transformed and is now open to Blacks.
There you have it. the word “Kaffir” or “Kaffer” just another no-no word by the white bleeding heart Liberals. Blacks don’t take notice of it. At the Company I work for, blacks all the time called each other Kaffer and nobody was offended. Again I think the White liberals must leave the blacks to start thining for themselves. MAY BE just MAY Be will they start learing HOW a county must be run BY All in it.
Yes, by all means lets start using the word Kaffir again. I’m for it. I will try it on the next traffic cop who stops me.
It was actually the Human Rights Commission where the CEO and the majority of staff is black, that made the most noise demanding that Khoza apologized or be prosecuted. But why should we let the facts get in the way if there is an opportunity for a good rant against Apartheid and the Whitey, hey Sandile.
However, don’t get me wrong Sandile. I hate the liberals as much as you do.
Scourge of our society.
The word kaffir has lostt it original meaning
and has been assigned new meanings by various race
groups.
I still remember the day my Dad warned myself and my brother not to behave as ‘boerekaffers’ ‘ducktails’ or ‘fietas’,whenever
we were a bit too rowdy to his liking.
I always wondered what made him group those things
together as having the same meaning.
Difficult one. On the one hand I agree that it should be up to the people affected to judge for themselves. On the other hand silence on the part of whites could also be construed as their general acceptance of the term. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. What’s new?
I have to add. I’ve always found it interesting that white people are often able to shrug off racial slurs directed at them whilst black people take it to heart. It’s inevitable given past history but interesting nevertheless. It reminds me of a friend’s son who at a young age was hauled over the coals for calling his black playmate ‘blackie’. When questioned he replied that his friend had called him ‘whitey’ first. You have to smile. They remained the best of friends.
@Sad Sack
You are correct. I am remember once when a Black addressed me as ‘Hey White Man…’. I turned around and said ‘Yes Black Man, can I help you…” He looked stunned. I said to him ‘If you address me by the colour of my skin I can do the same’.
Whites don’t take offence at it. Why do Blacks?
Brilliant.
I have to agree, often the problem lies in the fact that different people have differant views on a topic, or in this case a word.
Kaffir, as you said, may not mean the same thing to a township black as it does to a white.
As a white I, I say WHITES should not be able to use the word as ,for us, it is a word that implies inferiority, but I have no problem with one black using it on another.
Your articule reminds me of something that happened at work, myself and a black worker got into a heated discussion, which ended with him trying to insult me, a move that backfired.
Fed up with me he turned around and said “you are nothing but a f…ing boer” now in modern SA that is, by many, considered the equivilant to me calling him a kaffir (which I did not, just for the record) how-ever considering that I am of farmer stock, and had family you fought and died in the bore wars, that is nothing more than a statement of fact, you see I am a boer, so I politly thanked him for the compliment and walked away, leaving a very confused man behind.
Maybe its time we all stopped asuming we know what best for each other ans started finding out what the other really wants.
Once again great articule.
I couldn’t have said it better myself! The “brouhaha” that went out only makes me wonder; after 13 years of the You-can’t-use-that-word syndrome, why does this word still cause such a stir? Is it becuase some white (and even coloured) people still use it slanderingly, only under their breaths and not openly?