While poor people, mostly black Africans, burst into song and wave bright and colourful national flags that flap in the wind to celebrate national holidays like Human Rights Day, for instance, a sense of betrayal and shame should shrivel up the souls of many people, especially the black elite and white folks. They show lack of patriotism, gratitude and appreciation for what has happened in the last 14 years. Let me tell you why.
As the black “want-mores” and white “haves” go around malls swiping credit cards or just lounging in air-conditioned homes or hosting private braais and parties with expensive food and booze flowing, their minds do not take them back to the road travelled to get us where we are and where we come from.
After only 14 years of freedom and democracy, where we come from is a pretty long way. Today the white “haves” and black “want-mores” have forgotten about the mounting protests and consumer boycotts that used to block streets and put an abrupt halt to going shop at malls.
In fact, not too long ago, it was considered treason to stand up for human rights and protest against the carrying of passes which denied the majority freedom of movement and limited their opportunities to employment. More than 69 black men, women and children were shot in the back in Sharpeville for daring to challenge political authority to treat them as human beings who were equal to their white counterparts.
White “haves” pleaded ignorance about apartheid police brutality and pretended that no heinous crimes were committed in their name.
Where we come from is a tiny matter compared to where we are after only 14 years of democracy and freedom. Yet, when there are national holidays like Human Rights Day or Freedom Day to highlight and celebrate the long way we have travelled, people would rather stay at home and pretend that they do not appreciate what has been offered to them on a platter.
It now goes without notice that following the Sharpeville massacre, thousands of people were jailed, exiled and killed for us to have Human Rights Day and Freedom Day.
Far too many of our white “haves” and their black “want-mores” are lying to themselves. The democratic right to freedom of choice does not mean to be ungrateful and lack a spirit of patriotism. We need to do something to change this! It is an insult to hard won democracy and undermines nation-building.
Not too long ago, the late Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe resigned from his bourgeoisie job as an African lecturer at Wits University to lead hundreds of freedom loving people who refused to resign themselves to apartheid oppression and denial of liberty.
He turned his back on a black “want more” nice and comfortable life because he truly believed that freedom for some is freedom for none because all men are born equal. He was put in solitary confinement – away from “Mr Nice,” Nelson Mandela et al – and considered the “most dangerous man” by BJ Vorster’s government for living and working human rights, freedom and democracy.
Hundreds of workers around the country left the shop floor to join at the risk of being fired by unsympathetic bosses who were only interested in profit.
This “march against passes” was with the hope that one day people will appreciate a peaceful transition to democracy and freedom. The fight was for a people’s government that would promote a culture of human rights and celebrate a meaningful Freedom Day to rally the people around the common vision of one, undivided, non-racist and non-sexist country.
Alas that we have far too many people who pursue the “I am free” mentality which allows them to do as they like even if that violates the spirit of nation building. They do not bother to join hands with the “have-nots” who are still waiting for freedom and democracy to “deliver” them houses, clinics, schools and human dignity.
Far too many of our black “want-mores” and white “haves” are fooling themselves. It is not true that freedom and democracy gives you the right to be ungrateful of the sacrifices made and lacking in a spirit of patriotism to build a new nation.
We need to remind ourselves that where we come from is nothing compared to where we still have to go: a non-racial, non-sexist and united society. But, of course, the road is still too long. Far too few are working diligently, patiently and with commitment to celebrate Human Rights Day and Freedom Day.
Unfortunately, one is describing not just oppositional white “haves” who take everything that was saved for granted. The majority that undermines political holidays are the black bourgeoisie who believe that they have not benefited from this government. For these black “want-mores”, Human Rights Day and Freedom Day do not deserve celebration.
Instead, just like their role model white “haves” that they have always looked up to for leadership and standards, they dismiss these important milestones in our calendar as ANC gatherings that should only be celebrated by those who benefit from their political connections.
But there is no doubt that Human Rights Day and Freedom Day means more to people who have not lost their privileges in the last 14 years and those who have managed to be uplifted from gloom and poverty through the policies like black economic empowerment and affirmative action of this government.
What has happened to this beautiful country when its people do not come forth to join this democratic government in celebration of a new culture of human rights, freedom and democracy through song and dance and planes flying in the air?
Far too many of our white “haves” and their black “want-mores” are deceiving themselves. It is a lie that democratic freedom gives one the right to be unpatriotic and lack a sense of appreciation for what has been achieved in the last 14 years.
We need new patriots who will stop using national holidays to go shopping and hosting private functions to gloat about what they are not doing to promote a culture of human rights and celebration of freedom in this democracy. The ungratefulness and lack of patriotism for what has been achieved in the last 14 years is enough to fill one’s heart with shame.
As the hungry, homeless and poor take to free busses to venues addressed by political visionaries whose struggles have got us where we are, let each and everyone of us ask ourselves: How am I using national holidays to contribute to the spirit of a new country and building a new nation?
Unfortunately, it remains the task of the poor African “have-nots” and the marginalised to be united in arduous work and sacrifice, enduring suffering to lift constitutional principles and liberty for others to enjoy today. In fact, it is the lowest beneficiaries of what has been achieved in the last 14 years are the ones who are helping this government keep its dream of creating a more just and equal society alive.
Where are the white “haves” and the black “want-mores?” Rather, they indulge in buying sprees at shopping malls only to return to their homes in the suburbs to selfishly enjoy their prosperity.
We need to be agents of the change that we want to see. Let us allow our gratitude, appreciation and patriotism to shine in behavior that shows that we are all serious about the business of building a new country.
Lack of participation in the celebration of Human Rights Day and Freedom Day, for instance, by those who have been blessed with privileges leaves much to be desired. People need strengthen national unity and spirit of social cohesion by rallying around the government efforts to give hope to the “have-nots”.
Those who come from a poor working class background, those who have lifted themselves up by their own boot straps and benefited somewhat from freedom and democracy, the black ‘want-mores’ should be the first to shout from the stadium roof tops: “South Africa is the greatest place to be on earth”.
But the best contribution to national reconciliation and reconstruction will only begin to happen when white “haves” embrace the national holidays, learn the background to how they came to be, show appreciation for how far we have come and contribute to giving meaning and relevance to Human Rights Day and Freedom Day. They have the resources to make these days feed hope and optimism to the mind and soul of the “have not”.
While there is no way that the government can dictate to people not to go swiping their credits cards at malls and host private functions at their homes where food and booze flows, we need to keep our eyes on the prize: the creation of a new human rights culture that celebrates freedom.
We have to keep the vision of a new nation in our hearts and minds. Too much democracy and freedom has not only spoilt people by allowing them to do as they please but seems to encourage lack of patriotism.
There is an urgent need for all of us not to promote racial and political division. Perhaps the government should consider to proscribe the closing down of all shops if doing business on national holidays contradicts the principles exalted by the founding fathers of our world class constitution. This develpment might dangerously nudge the indifferent classes to the spirit of a “united South Africa” rather than a selfish “free for all” where everyone undermines the effort to celebrate freedom and promote a culture of human rights.
As people prepare not to attend Human Rights Day and Freedom Day festivities, may we all ask ourselves: am I an agent of the transformation towards non-racism, non-sexism and unity among all the people of this beautiful country?
Far too many black “want-mores” and white “haves” are lying to themselves. The democratic right to freedom of choice does not mean that you insult the meaning of Human Rights Day and Freedom Day by only swiping your credit card at a shopping mall.
Let us all do what we can to make this a better country! The first step towards that is … treating our national holidays with the respect and dignity they deserve.
I am not a white “have” – I am a white “want more” because I believe that self-improvement is not a sin or a crime. Right, having cleared that up, lets get to the gist, shall we?
I disagree with you wholeheartedly in almost every aspect of this blog entry. I do NOT celebrate Human Rights day, or freedom day. In fact, I spent this morning at the office, and this afternoon taking my wonderful lady for lunch “swiping my card at a shipping mall” – metaphorically speaking.
I will celebrate Human Rights day whn my right to life is protected and enshrined not just in the constitution, but in every-day life as well. I will celebrate human rights when my right to freedom of movement, freedom of association and freedom of speech is guaranteed. None of this currently is.
I will celebrate freedom day when I am free in my own home, not in a self-imposed jail cell where my home is surrounded by a fence, my windows barred, my doors blocked by security gates. I will celebrate freedom day when I am free to apply for any job, anywhere, at any time, I will celebrate freedom day when my leaders behave in a responsible manner towards their electorate, when the political demi-gods are relegated to human beings with a job to do, when corrupt criminals and convicted fraudsters are not the same people entrusted to run the country of my birth.
As long as my rights and freedms are self-made and not practically imposed on every-day life, I will not celebrate any of these days, in fact, treat them with disdain, because where we are in 2008 is NOT what the sharpville people have fought, and died, for.
“…we are all serious about the business of building a new country” – yes, we are. Please allow us the RIGHT and the FREEDOM to do our bit in building this counrty!
SA has a new world champion – the Most Long-Winded Say-Nothing Bore in the 21st Century, Sandile Too-Many-Words Memela!
Ever hear of the word “relevance”, Sandile? The world over national flag-waving days have lost relevance. It is a state of human nature. It is intellectual evolution. Halloween holds more relevance than Independence Day in the USA, May Day has fallen to Fat Tuesday in Latin America, even the Queen’s birthday is empty in England.
But 20 000 Muslims blocked roads in Lenasia yesterday and more than a million Catholics attended the Stations of the Cross in the Vatican. My family and I went to church – not because we’re unpatriotic or ungrateful. In fact, precisely because we are profoundly patriotic and grateful.
Empty atheistic/nationalistic pageants are no measure of compassion. Only of self-indulgent party loyalty as thankfully outdated as Stalin’s Red Square parades of power to intimidate. Have you and your people not yet learnt that love of country springs not from the barrel of an AK nor the temporal ululating of a rent-a-crowd.
As concern for the reader is not measured in the quantity of words you hurl at them, but the quality and clarity of thought. Go and read Luke Real’s “Caliguland”, thou minion, and grow wise!
Shot in the back because that’s the only target a rioter in a huge swirling mob presents directly after throwing a missile at a tiny handful of besieged policemen.
I think the mandatory closing of commercial enterprises on days such as Freedom Day and Human Rights Day would be a good thing. At present it is the rich who enjoy a relaxing day whilst the poor have to go to work to make sure the malls and resorts operate
So advocating that we all attend public gatherings (political gatherings?) on this day and others such as Freedom Day. It’s not going to happen and I don’t think we should have a war over it. I also believe there is only ‘too much’ freedom when people begin to actively infringe the rights of others. Not attending something doesn’t seem to be a rights infringement to me (although of course we could argue that many of your culprits do a decent enough job of that most days anyway).
Too much democracy I can’t believe is possible in a political context. When we start believing in a concept of ‘too much’ democracy we tread back down that hill that the sacrifice of the people we celebrate and honour on these days. I can’t believe that people fought for freedom to hear a mere couple of decades later that people are ‘too free’.
I spent the first half of my day chopping things and stirring large pots in my kitchen so a couple of hundred people who don’t eat much had something relatively decent for lunch today, spent a few hours playing with my kids and the rest working.
I’d say that’s a day not unproductively spent but…unfortunately I’m not much of a gathering person. We can put that down to my innate lack of community spirit on account of my relative paleness if we like; I’d probably call it something else but either way.
To be honest, if it hadn’t been my day to cook and if I hadn’t had a massive number of projects to finish I might just have gone swiping that card. It’s unlikely for a number of reasons, not least of which is lack of actual money to spend, but that stops no one else apparently.
What about the person who went to church and back home in the company of their family and friends to a quiet day of remembrance of their Messiah’s sacrifice? Do we also question their commitment to the nation?
It’s an inconvenient day for many Christians to be singing and celebrating, which if you, in your other capacity, are annoyed about turnout at department-hosted events might explain why this year’s were perhaps not as well attended as others.
I know that days of national remembrance are just that – but as with Women’s Day I have little time for anyone who takes only a single day to pretend to remember the people and events who made us rather than trying to live all of the 360-some days in a way that doesn’t damage our human values each day.
Some of us try, others don’t – best not to put us all in that hypothetical air-conditioned luxury sedan together. Some of us don’t much like the smell of malt whisky and Armani suits no matter what shade or gender or sexual orientation or anything else the person inside. We might scuff the interior and shabby up that model you’re using to compartmentalise (pigmentalise) us.
Sandile, you don’t live in the real world. The real world of working hard five days a week. Of doing (unpaid) overtime. Of getting only 15 days a year holiday. The last thing I personally would want to do on a public HOLIDAY (note the word HOLIDAY) would be to sit in a stadium waving a silly flag and listening to a boring politician (Germany circa 1939??).
As for bussing people in to wave flags etc…Zimbabwe circa 2008? China circa 2008? North Korea circa 2008?…hardly model democracies.
People (of whatever colour and class) just want a break from the grind of everyday life. For some people this might be a day to celebrate their hard-won freedoms. For others, quality time with the family. Who knows, maybe the white couple sitting in the restaurant at the Waterfront on their day off might actually end up chatting to the black couple at the next table and forge a friendship or an understanding. Much more important to healing divisions than any number of mass rallies one could conceive of. And much more productive because they’re simply, but powerfully, TALKING to each other.
In any case Sandile, if the numbers of obviously not very middle class black people at the beach today was anything to go by I think you’re onto a loser. And why shouldn’t they enjoy their day of freedom…they’ve earned it.
Sandile, surely the freedom that we now all enjoy means being able to choose exactly how we celebrate the day? Perhaps you feel the need to sing and dance and wave flags. Good for you. Go for it.
Perhaps others feel the need to spend it with close friends and family. Why do you wish to prescribe exactly what people must do with their day? That is not freedom, that is state interference with the lives of its citizens.
In short, it is not in my nature to sing and dance when politicians pull the strings of a “bussed in” crowd gathered for political memories. We are not sheep to be herded into stadiums and made to bleat to your tune so that the ANC can revel in its achievements and consolidate its power. I will celebrate my freedom that we all paid for in blood, and are all still paying for in blood, my way and my way alone.
You opened a good debate on ubuntu, but you do seem to have a chip on your shoulder.
Different personalities and different cultures do things differently. It was a religious holiday for a few religions, and also time for people to spend with family.
Where I do relate is how sad I felt when there were so few black faces at the Madiba Aids concert. Why don’t Mbeki’s elite support him?
Re-naming buildings, streets and even entire towns after seditious terrorists is equally insulting and contrary to nation-building. But you don’t see any slow-down or halt to THAT agenda, do you? That has to be rammed through whatever the cost.
The only way black africa can compete on the world stage and be an equal with other races is through a quality education for the poorest kid. No one else will take black africans seriously until their engineers can build cars and atom bombs.
When our government recognises that and has education as its cornerstone policy and we only have ‘education’ holidays, then I will come out and support the national holidays.
BUT so long as we have a ‘nationalist’ government in power (since 1948 – they just changed skin colour in 1994 as the policies of nationalists are always the same even if one adds african and congress to the title) we will have a government that is only interested in serving itself and not interested in creating a grand future for our children.
So Sandile, please ask our politicians to focus on the future of our children and not on some past happening that cannot change the lives of the poor children.
Celebrate Human Rights Day? The human rights that took away all the humans’ rights? Everything is about human rights but what about the right to life? Who should celebrate this day is the gangsters, the robbers, the hijackers and the politicians as they are the ones with the rights
Dear all,
Sandile mines a fertile field.
Am not surprised we are having this debate. Am unsure if it was the late Steve Tshwete who commented in a similar vein, but it does touch on past matters.
My take is a little different: sure people do not wish to know of these holidays and how they arose, and sure they remain, for the large part, ungrateful. We cannot force them, nor can we ask them to be bussed to stadiums to listen to politicians they disdain extol the great struggle. I any case, I am more inclined to listen to a struggle icon like Mbeki than wanna-be politicians and disgraced idiots.
Quite recently I had to deliver a seminar at Pitzer College on the Sharpeville Massacre in line with Modernity and the 1960s. Scheduled to speak for 30 minutes, I took 60 minutes with questions to explain to a group of very upper-class mixed race class why Benjamin Pogrund saw this as ‘a deceptively small start’ that was March 21, 1960. The talk was on the hated pass laws, the greatness of Sobukwe and the demise of the Drum generation leading up to writers such as Mtshali in 1971 and Serote in 1972. The same kind of attention to history and literature as reflected in modernist discursive spaces – as happened in ZA curriculum changes – makes it compulsory to take these courses.
It is striking that Americans still mine the Sixties for nuggets of wisdom and insight, while ZA exalts in the ‘move on’ brigade. Read Tim Wise’s ‘White Like Me’ for some insight to this kind of discursiveness. And we think we can educate our children meaningfully?
So, no matter what some of the people feel, it is still possible to educate, to make history mean without distortions, and when Gerry goes on and on as he does, one wishes he had an opportunity to address an audience on the significance of such a day, just once. Times have changed, and crime affects all of us and to say we are not vocal about it as it has been alleged is false, really. I worry if my son is not within view every ten minutes as I live in the Western Cape, and go along to the park for his bike rides. Nor can he go to the corner shop on his own. That is how bad it is. But take a narrow egoistic view of the matter is not a sign of maturity but of hating one’s very society. Am sure my students – local and the study abroad brigade – hold a different view.
Best wishes
Lyndall,
When you say Sandile has a chip on her shoulder, what aspect of his argument are you debating?
Len
His whole first paragraph – the rest is repetition.
Hi Sandile. I just travelled to my family home (in East London) for the long weekend and I was telling my mom about the plans some friends and I have to throw a Freedom Day party on Monday (when I get back to my current home in Grahamstown). So she made me read your column “Time for whites to celebrate” on this topic.
I agree with you that one of the reasons white people don’t celebrate is apathy, and that lots of people don’t see much reason to celebrate as white people (which is ridiculous).
But
I think for most of my peers, younger South African white people, one of the main reasons we don’t celebrate is that we don’t know how to. It sounds ridiculous, I know. But we have no traditions to help us. I’m having a Freedom Day party on Monday and I’m not sure quite what we are going to *do* at it. I think we need to step up and create some traditions to help us remember and celebrate, so thats what we are going to try.
Us white folk don’t have the strong political traditions other racial groups in SA have. (If anything, Afrikaans people do far better at tradition and celebration than my english speaking people do.)
I go to events every now and then where there is lots of singing of freedom sonds and chanting of “amandla!” “awetu” and so forth, which is great. But I can’t really participate, because I don’t understand it. In terms of language, and just in terms of never having been exposed to it… for the guys singing, its meaningful, it comes from traditions of families and communities. For me, its people singing. Even if the songs are translated, the most I can do is appreciate the sentiments.
So if we don’t know how to celebrate on our own, why don’t we go to the state run rallies and events? Well, I might go to a talk by an MEC in Grahamstown on Monday. But when I suggested to my mom that I go to one of the government rallies on the 27th, probably in Mdantzane, her response was NO!!! And frankly, I would be quite nervous myself, going. I know it sounds silly, but I’m scared that there are angry people out there and being a little white face at a big political rally might get me in trouble.
So yes! Apathy is a problem, I agree, and white people not really grasping the miracle of change in SA for all people. But there are other reasons for the lack of white celebration too.
I’m not for a moment saying that white people need to be pandered to… but if you want to understand why white people don’t celebrate, there is more to it than just beligerance or apathy.
“whites” don’t go to the stadiums to listen to our leaders because it is not part of their tradition or culture. If you look back in time the NP said their little speeches in halls where only a handful of staunch supporters turned up. Family time is more important to us because we work long hard hours to improve our lives and for the job satisfaction we receive, we need to spend as much time as possible with our children to love them and to live our culture with them. Do the whites need to go to meetings where the past is continually thrown in their faces? I don’t think so. We are the so called “white devils”. Never mind most will soon be gone, the young will leave because they are not wanted and the old will die
and then you will have your perfect country.