There has not been a time in the history of this country when so many blacks occupied the hot seat of editorship at mainstream newspapers, yet they lack political conviction.
The truth of the matter is that most black editors are fence-sitters who are afraid to rock the boat.
This happens at a time when they should not only be flexing their political muscle but taking hard-line positions to protect and promote the interests of the majority who are poor, unemployed and dispossessed.
The big question is: how do we account for the absence of a single black editor who supports the African National Congress? Why haven’t black editors who have benefited from affirmative action — an ANC policy — that has seen many of them fast-tracked to the top and doors of opportunity flung open for them, not pinned their black, green and gold colours to the mast?
A serious response to these perplexing questions requires open and honest discussion now that Jacob Zuma is poised to take over the Union Buildings.
In fact, we need to closely examine the emergence of the so-called new black editorial executive who is only interested in pleasing the share-holders and treats the interests of the country and the majority with disdain. There should be public hearings, perhaps, on the content of the character of our editors, their aspirations and anxieties, orientation and opportunities.
Since 1994, there has been a new breed of black editor who thinks and believes that his vision and mission is to be anti-government.
In fact, this turn to anti-government happened soon after Thabo Mbeki assumed the presidency of the ANC and country to espouse the much criticised “two-nations theory — one white and rich, the other black and poor”.
Shareholders — and other non-white cohorts with vested interests in creating the impression that the problems in South Africa were more about CLASS and less about RACE — took strong exception to what they perceived to be the dangers of radical Pan-Africanism. They were soon followed by liberal blacks who understood that the prerequisite for success and achievement in the mainstream media was to be the voice of the white right-wing.
The late 1990s had seen various white editors relinquish their positions in a grudging gesture of political correctness to make way for blacks who were white clones. These “intellectual coconut” — as they are called in the black community — jumped into white positions not only to retain the status quo but to echo the White Master’s Voice in voicing strong criticism against what they perceived to be an anti-white black government (sic).
Thus the emergence of so-called new black editors has not resulted in any significant shift in the media paradigm which says, “to be courageous, you must be opposed to the black government”. The consequence of this development has been that black editors are not different from their white predecessors except in the amount of melanin in their skin.
Instead, they are not only more oppositional but their role is to look for corruption under the soles of every government minister or official. In fact, the mainstream media today functions more like an opposition party than a platform for the nation to talk to itself.
For the most part, the headlines and lead stories that dominate portray a negative picture of the country and project the leadership as weak and stupid except when it criticizes itself as in the case of the care-taker health minister, Barbara Hogan.
As a result, many people have been discouraged by the one-dimensional, anti-government news that dominate the media. The open secret is that the media suffers from leadership bankruptcy.
Needless to say, Steve Biko, Percy Qoboza, Stan Motjuwadi, Mono Badela and Aggrey Klaaste are all dead and gone, now. Of course, they were neither radicals not militants but they clearly understood that their role was to take a political stand on issues and suffer the consequences.
But today’s black editors do not stand for anything except, mostly, to be opposed to the ANC. This has deprived the country, Africa and the world an opportunity to appreciate the significant fact that without the ANC, there would have been no continent-wide liberation movements to fight imperialism, colonialism and apartheid.
Ironically, the new black editors, together with their over-celebrated columnists and analysts, are beneficiaries of the ANC struggle and its policies. It is the ideals and principles of the ANC struggle that has seen most of them enjoy equal opportunities in positions that were reserved for whites.
Of course, it is important to note that as we head towards the elections, there is not a single black editor who has taken a pro-ANC position and encouraged readers to vote for the party that has delivered so much to so many.
There is not a single black person — including editors — who enjoys a better quality of life outside what the ANC has made possible in this country.
So, it is strange that black editors, especially, would want to distance themselves from the only party that matters. Yet we know that the pursuit of mythical objectivity does not mean that people should not stand for anything. That simply means that editors lack convictions.
So, how can they have balls?
For God’s sake, even the editor of Jehovah’s Witness stands for something.
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83 Responses to “Editors who don’t support the ANC don’t stand for anything”
And so, the auditions for a high paying government job begin.
you shouldn’t forget that some of them were once editors of failed or now bankrupt papers…and now they have been reduced to be mere columnists of R2.00 tabloid papers. they still believe that govt should have done something to protect their failing papers. they are angry as we speak because govt go & interfere in their ineptitude.
thanks for not mentioning the name of those editors (otherwise they’ll all bash & call you with all sorts of names) dont stress we know all of them; they’re ‘three’ to be specific and all of them are competing on who should bash the anc the best.
needless to say, anc will through its policies continue to support them regardless of their nauseting stance.
“There should be public hearings, perhaps, on the content of the character of our editors, their aspirations and anxieties, orientation and opportunities.”
You forgot to include “thoughts” in the scope of your proposed hearings.
I sincerely hope that this article is not serious and just aimed at stirring up trouble and views/comments for your blog.
Also, what you forgot to mention, Mr. Memela, is that there are some Indian and Coloured South African who do not consider themselves as black- even though they are defined as such and also benefit from AA, even more so than Africans. So I hope that Indian and Colored South Africans will consider how crucial the ANC Affirmative Action policy ahs been in their apointment. There is proof that people still earn according to their race as designated by Apartheid. Whites earn the most, then Indian (men in particular), then Coloreds, then Africans. Of course there are poor Indians and Coloured but Africans are by far the poorest.
One other thing, I find it quite incredulous that white women so vehemently oppose AA when they have recently been proven to have benefited most from it than both black men and black women combined. Apartheid denied white women participation in the economy and some companies discriminated against them- but the ANC policy of AA has been the singularly instrumental in ensuring that white women are given a chance to work. Yet some white women bash AA despite this. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
It is sad Sandile, I am a white woman myself and I realise that it is much easier for me to get work than a black woman and I work part-time for an NGO in Khayelitsha and you cannot imagine how much blacks there are suffering! No jobs! Little hope!
you sound arreogant and confused…editors need to promote and support the constitution of the land…..not overweight ANC incompetents. I think you are insane
What is detailed below does not describe you, unless you believe your own propaganda? sies
“He believes freedom of thought and expression encourages diversity of opinion and tolerance for the ‘other.’
He is very sane.”
Before you criticise editors for not supporting the ANC, it’s important to ask whether the ANC really merits the support of editors.
Editors tend to be educated people who allow rational thought primacy over unquestioning faith or loyalty to a traditional flag. They can see that the ANC government has not done a great deal to sing and dance about, that it has been useless over HIV/AIDS and Zimbabwe, that service delivery has been very poor, and that a rot of widespread corruption has split the ruling party. Therefore, like most people who are able to think, their voices are mostly critical of the ANC government.
Malala/Makhanya/Mthombothi et al know the truth. They also know that whose agenda and perspective they are advancing. Even during Shaka’s days there were “amambuka nabadayisi”, and Shaka had a way of dealing with them. I respect Jon Qwelane and Mathatha Tsedu ( I differed wit this one on Mbeki as the sole saver of Africa) on undestanding and not compromising on the perspective of African people. When Whites demonise Zuma, ANC or Mbeki ( whatever technical jargon they use), we all know their real motive and message. Nothing could be further from the truth
Pray tell, how all the cronyism, incompetence and corruption is helping the poor? The ANC has many failings, and while I am certainly not suggesting other parties have less, why should an editor, on the basis of skin colour, commit to a party that systematically fails to deliver to many?
The collapsed school food system in the Eastern Cape is in the interests of the poor? Travelgate? Arms deal? Shoddy construction work of RDP housing? The poor service by Home Affairs?
And it is utterly brilliant, that apartheid was evil, but the situation is nothing but rosy in Tibet, if we are to believe our government. Sadly such a position requires the utmost ignorance, or worse, indifference. Praise the ANC for the former or for the latter? When people stand up for human rights that is something to be applauded. If only the ANC could do that (and walk the talk), then they would receive some positive coverage as well.
Elections are not about what HAS been done, but what should have been done, given the constraints. While much has been achieved, so much more could have and should have been achieved. Given the speed with which the quality of education declines, as we move on, it is clear the government is failing the poor, the unemployed and children.
The question should not be what is wrong with Black editors. The question should be what is wrong with intellectuals, that they display an utter confusion about what democracy is all about.
The ANC has lost the plot basically and no amount of emotional blackmail and name calling is going to cover up that glaring fact.
Why should a black person support a party that is obviously rotting at the core and is represented by a man with a suspect character? The ANC exists because of black people and not the other way around.
The ANC is supposed to serve the needs of the people and here, I’m talking grassroots level. Those people who live in shacks and do not have access to the most basic of amenities and this after how many years of independence?
Instead what do we see? Corruption, self enrichment, harassment and dissolution of institutions that refuse to kow-tow to the whims of the ANC, i.e Scorpions. Need I say more?
Whilst the ANC is the party of liberation for South Africa it needs a totally different mindset to function effectively in the current time.
You have a new generation of black people who whilst they acknowledge the struggle history are not bound by it and have their own struggle to overcome.
My mother used to say in Ndebele “ubozinuka amakwapha.” There is a bad smell coming from the ANC and it would do well to check its’ armpits quickly!!
Here we have it - SA stands a hair’s-breadth away from tyranny. BLACK people who do not support the ANC are not patriotic. BLACK EDITORS who do not support the ANC are almost guilty of treason.
But, the most sinsiter aspect of this piece is the suggestion that something should be done about this. Hello… Something must be “done” about EDITORS who do not comply with the wishes of the ruling party! Oh, of course this carries the assumption that only the ruling party could represent the interests of the poor. By definition.
This is sheer sophistry (look it up). Language like this provides the typical foundation for the circumventing of the Constitution in the name of various “unmquestionable” values.
You can call me a white racist, but please also do me the honour of demonstrating in what respect my assumptions or my reasoning is faulty. I will then happily apologise for my vehement tone.
But let’s talk the truth, and not just be brains-for-hire.
you state:
“Instead, they are not only more oppositional but their role is to look for corruption under the soles of every government minister or official.”
That should be an easy fix - ANC-leaders in government not to commit fraud and corruption, then it cannot be reported. It is not like the media has to look very hard to find rampant corruption in the ANC government at this stage.
you state:
“There is not a single black person — including editors — who enjoys a better quality of life outside what the ANC has made possible in this country.”
I would respond by stating that there would possibly be 300 000 more people enjoying life in the country if it were not for the ANC AIDS-policies, nevermind quality of life.
Furthermore I also think that less people would have been murdered in South Africa if the ANC actually implemented better (or just maintained) security services.
The ANC Outcome Based Education are also producing learners with such a low level of real knowledge that they will never be able to recover from the education inflicted upon them.
What about Zimbabwe? Are the people there in a better situation because of the ANC. Of course not. Most of them are not even there any more!
The ANC will one day held up as an example on why liberation movements should never become governments.
Maybe you should the the editors as brave, not disloyal.
What is wrong with today’s black editors? - Nothing - Journalists and Editors are supposed to be impartial. Journalists, like scientists have an ethical code to uphold. This is what Editors and Journalists of news articles are supposed to stand for.
What arrogance to claim that not supporting the ANC means not standing for anything! With a little introspection you may discover the possibility that maybe, just maybe these black editors have all woken up to smell of the stink behind the corruption within ANC.
You view the media as playing the role of the opposition party because there is no viable opposition to the ANC today! The SA voters are not fools. We know corruption when we see and smell it and understand that the last 15 years was no walk in the park for us. All we need to do is look up north at Zimbabwe and we can see our future in stark reality if we don’t act now. Come Apr 22, you will see the beginning of an opposition party that will surprise us all.
I can’t understand why you appear perplexed over this issue.
Can’t you see that “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” or did you also visit Mvelapanda headquarters like Xolela Mangcu?
To those of us who can see clearly we know of the following:
- that this NEC of the ANC carried out a bloodless pusch against former president Mbeki;
- that the president of the ANC, Mr Jacob Zuma, has done everything in his power to dodge his day in court against corruption charges;
- that the ANC’s alliance partners have manufactured Mr Zuma as pro-poor proponent as a means of legitimizing the continued looting of state resources;
- that the ANC believes that it is the sole and legitimate representative of the “people” and that all other political organizations are “counter-revolutionary”;
- that in the ANC borderline sexist, racist and tribalist tendencies are tolerated and subordinated to the defense Mr Zuma;
- that in the ANC there is a growing anti-intellectualism that reflects the very same limitations of its leader and echoed by the likes of Julius Malema;
So you see Sandile, more people need to point out to people such as yourself that “the Emperor is not wearing any clothes” and that the artful weavers are Mr Nzimande and Mr Vavi!
What is wrong with today’s black editors? - well -absolutely nothing. I have read some of these editors and they seem to be intelligent and I think they are perfectly deserving replacements for the ‘grudging’ white editors - BEE or not. They are opposed to the ANC simply because the ANC is no longer governing in the spirit and actuality of the original mandate given to it by the poeple and the rest of the then supportive world. The ones who now support the ANC are either ignorant, naive, or have a misguided sense of loyalty (as is the author of the article -they should be loyal to SA only) or hope to profit in some unfair, corrupt or ‘croniest’ way in future. The editors opinions are probably logicaly based on the facts of bad governance, corruption and non-delivery that we see daily - thus the editors are simply doing a competent job informing us of the approaching dangers.
I don’t think you read enough newspapers, thoroughly enough, as that is not my impression. However, an editor will always be a person first and his or her perception may well come from experience, as does the rest of us. Perhaps the many you have been reading do not agree with the lack of moral foundation being displayed currently by the ANC? They may have other validate complaints.
After all they are not sheep to blindly follow the shepherd. They are there to criticise what they see as wrong and praise the good, so that government stays on its toes to look after its total consistuency well. They are also there to keep democracy on its toes as well and keep us all informed. Controversy is the life blood of politics!
Contrary to what you may believe the job of editors and journalists in this country is not to be spokespersons for the government. I find it especially interesting that you equate the press to an opposition party. Criticising the current ANC leadership is not a betrayal of the revolution, nor does it signify a wish to return to minority rule. “it is important to note that as we head towards the elections, there is not a single black editor who has taken a pro-ANC position and encouraged readers to vote for the party that has delivered so much to so many.”
As an official ANC spokesperson, has it ever crossed your propaganda-addled mind that the reason for this may just lie in your party’s betrayal of its own ideals? Thought not. After all, it’s much easier to call the messenger an Uncle Tom or a racist than performing some serious introspection.
A friend of mine recently sent me and sms that read, “Gwede Mantashe has decided to relinquish his comprehension of the word ’subtlety’ in pursuit of his goals”.
My response was “Long live the spirit of Harry Gwala, the Lion of Umgungundlovu”. I think I need to invoke the spirit of Mphephethwa at this point.
You, Malume, discarded any pretence of subtetly, a long time ago. I am in awe.
The UK must be full of racist editors too because none of them have told me to vote for Labour recently.
What a pity none of the black editors in SA didn’t have the ‘balls’ to tell us what a good job the ANC was doing - maybe they should look to Zanu-PF’s media praise-singers to see how it is done.
hmmm, themba has just mentioned some of their names.
he just left khathu mamaile, joviel,and now unfortunately, fikile moya… and of course, that talk tadio 702’s station manager, yusuf abramjeem–who thinks that he’s beyond reproach…after all he’s classified as a pdi!
they should all be thanking anc for making them people they are today.
What are the interests of the poor Sandile? To stay poor? Maybe that’s the reason for voting for the ANC. A corrupt government will never be able to lift people out of poverty.
In some newspapers, when a post is made on a blog, there is a field to click if you find the post offensive. I wish the webmaster would check all of Mr Mamela’s posts; the idea that Helen Suzman was parroting the orders of Nelson Mandela, and his other truly insulting and offensive blogs are completely out of order.
If Mr Mamela is truly ‘pot stirring’, it is my opinion that his work is juvenile and a slightly more erudite version of Mr Malema’s outbursts. If he believes what he writes, then South Africa is in greater trouble than the rest of us believe.
His work is an affront to an otherwise excellent newspaper.
This is superb satire. I can almost see BJ Vorster saying to Eschel Roodie: “These dreadful Engelse editors of the Rand Daily Mail..they just don’t appreciate that apartheid has benefited THEM..how can they keep criticising the government?..ag, come on Eschel, let’s start our own English language newspaper…”
This stuff you write is quite amusing but you appear to make a point many geneticists would agree with:
‘black editors are not different from their white predecessors except in the amount of melanin in their skin’
Race, according to many geneticists, is a social construct that has no basis in biology. So, since you agree with them, it would seem that transforming SA society is futile as we’re all the same in thought and deed.
Now that you know that, perhaps you’ll stop writing such drivel.
This is mind-boggling… Newspapwers editiors are now supposeed to toe the party line? What is the function of a newspaper in a democracy? Is it not to inform the public and expose government corruption and economic mismanagement?
Heaven help us.! It is so disheartening that in this day and age, there are still individuals who care less about accuracy and objectivity in reporting. Why don’t we just amalgamate all newspapers, appoint a member of the NEC of the ANC to serve as editor and call the paper “ANC NEWS” with the following catchphrase; “Fit for reading in the toilet only”…
Its so funny really. Blacks who disagree with the ANC are brain-washed followers of a White hegemony. As if White and Black behaviour in this country can be so monolithic!
“He believes freedom of thought and expression encourages diversity of opinion and tolerance for the ‘other.’” - Sandile’s bio.
As long as said thoughts toe the ANC party line, with it’s current diversity of opinion and tolerance.
To Andrew and Sarah - Sadly “satire”, and “stirring up trouble and views/comments for your blog” are very hopeful interpretations.
The utter faith in the liberation party, the blind belief that they can do no wrong, the assertion that all under them are obliged to be grateful and loyal, the labeling of all criticism as destructive, the suggestion that those at difference with the ANC need to be “examined”, all of these resonate with organizations such as ZANU-PF, CPC, CPSU and NAZI party. Be careful of where you tread.
Andile, to answer your key question “What is wrong with today’s black editors?” they are simply able to think for themselves. Why talk about “black editors” in a free democratic country? You are just as racist as the ANC over lords you serve. Start to see people for who they are man. You just want to continue the legacy of apartheid under the great great banner of wonderful words like Affirmative Action, etc. Loyal africans like me might just support the government if it was not for black racists like you.
I never thought loud-mouthed and “educated” individuals are not easily humiliated,you just proved me otherwise!!
But again,you forgot that they need to feed their families and most importantly,even though more blacks buy papers they seek an opinion of a white race,to move in a particular direction and that is why a middle and rich blacks move from black communities for white ones because they strive for the white glory.
If most white people supported the ANC,you would never hear any wrong doing by the ANC members either in govt or elsewhere…
Mr Memela why you NEVER wondered why SA media is excellent at criticizing the ANC-led govt,even majority is so-called black editors??
The answer:Many are confroted with the answer every morning,looking in the mirror and that gets them more ready to prepare for defensive strategy:ATTACK,ATTACK,ATTACK the ANC,people will forget you are a beneficiary!!
Its been working for the last 15 years and continue working because NOBODY really cares…we too black for the truth!
Smart people won’t support a bunch if inept, cronyist, greedy bozos like the ANC. And newspaper editors are, generally, pretty smart people.
Even a trophy ANC-supporting editor, like white Afrikaner Max du Preez, has given up in despair and utter disgust on that hopeless lot, based entirely on their drastic under-performance.
Well it’s quite simple really. The US has the defacto job of policing the world from which we all benefit. It doesnt mean that I support everything they do or if I had to vote for a world leader vote for the US. The same way the black editors benefitted from AA…etc etc..
I salute the likes of Karima Brown, Xolela Mangcu, Sipho Seepe, Aubrey Matshiqi, Jon Qwelane and Sandile Memela for putting it as it is. These members of the 3rd estate come from varied backgrounds, some are columnists, academics, editors and some are seasoned journos with one thing in common- and that is to INFORM, EDUCATE and SHAPE PUBLIC OPINION. This they do by providing a balanced view of the political situation in our country.
Whilst on the other hand I have serious issues with Justice Malala, Mondli Makhanya, Sthembiso Msomi. These will certainly not bite the hand that feeds them. They give a new meaning to an old English say which goes, “he who pays the piper calls the tunes”. They certainly know which side their bread is buttered. These will sell their own like Judas did to the son of the Lord. They can not hide their hatred of a black government.
It is quite funny that all of a sudden editors are not supporting the ANC. I found it disgusting that the same level of penned vitriol was directed at Mbeki during his tenure and when he responded he was said to be stiffling debate. The same thing continues and it is now the ANC which is not being supported. Was Mbeki not an ANC representative, by the way I forgot that we have been made to believe that “Mbeki was not the representing the ANC”. So it was okay to bash him, but old habits do not die easily. Lets enjoy the media bashing just like we enjoyed it during the Mbeki era. What goes around comes around, so the ANC should stand and smell the heat that it created. The fact you assisted someone achieve something does not make you immune from realising when they are wrong. Which seems to sound like everyone now should be lickey of the ANC because it came up with AA, thats a recipe for the corruption and maladministration we see in government. Branch chairpersons are made municipal managers and all the big positions and “indeed service delivery is at its very highest”
You are placing the ANC above the people yet the ANC should be for the people. It should be attracting people to its cause not forcing people to its cause.
When the ruling party starts to force people to its cause then it creates its own opposition.
What a shame you never introduced yourself to “die groot krokodil”… You and he have so much in common - and how you would have enjoyed the servile Citizen press…
On the other hand, Mugabe has achieved your goal with the Zim-based press. Get your advance copies to see how enlightened his rule is and the great advances Pres Mugs is delivering !
“Instead, they are not only more oppositional but their role is to look for corruption under the soles of every government minister or official…” say you.
and imagine if they didn’t? I think I’m going back to Trapido, at least his drivel doesn’t stain my brain…
What a load of hogwash,Why should editors be impatial & support a cause of a certain organisation?
Why should I as a reader buy such a paper/any media knowing that the editor of such a media is biased to a certain organisation? Can’t you see anything wrong with this cenario? Or has common sence really escaped you Mr Memela? Is this supposed to be an April fools article? if it is, hahaha, you certainly gave me a lough.
I just cant believe what you trying to say…does it mean being a black editor of a newspaper give you the right to have your own soapbox…i run my own company,but i do not promote the party that i support or force it down on my workers.A editors role is to be bias in all reports…and yes to report the wrongs and rights of all.Period.
I think thought leader has joined the ranks of the lowest common denominator with this and other articles. Lately, there are too many many articles written by contributers with a totalitarian bent that are considered thought provoking.
Readers who challenge these notions with facts albeit politically incorrent ones are not given the space of a few words.
Time for M & G to drop this utterly thoughtless blog.
If there is one person who can get most south african hot under the collar, it is Sandile Memela. in my earlier encanation I understood Malome Memela to advocate the Pan Africanist Ideoelogy as espoused by the PAC -that of Potlako Leballo and Sabelo Pama.
I was not aware that he is/was a “Charterist”!
He is doing a good job of cajoling the media to see things the ANC way.
After all it is the ANC government that build schools, ensure that there is a health facility within ‘10km radius’ and free haelth care at clinics, that there is piped water in such rural areas as Sesehu, that roads are improved in many a local municipailty, and that introduced an ‘artificial layer of dollar millionaires’. Why don’t this ‘bloody black editors’ see this?
maybe they are not so educated as they purport to say, ne’ Malome!
Mohlapametse Maditsi on April 1st, 2009 at 11:23 am
that is why media today , is no longer play critical role to the advance the knowledge or educate the readers , but they are advancing the propaganda of the minority. south African media is an ally of opposition …….even person can see it
The papers and editors “project the leadership as weak and stupid” because they are weak and stupid. Have you heard Malema lately?
I think you need to rethink what the role of the media on a democracy is about. You clearly want a pro government propaganda machine. How sad and I worry about the pervasiveness of such attitudes.
Do you hope we would see the daily news start with “today his excellency the president…”
I would have thought Peter Fabricious, Allister Sparks, Patrick Laurence, Rhoda Kadalie, Ferial Haffajee and lately, Paul Trewhela were doing enough trashing of our government.
But, no, the beneficiariries of the same policies advanced by the ANC are daily trying to outdo one another using the fanciest English to k*k on all this democratic governemnt stands for.
It is not necessary for the black editors to support the ANC, what is needed is perspective and balance in their papers, not a monotonous anti-ANC monotonous drivel disguised as reportage.
The champions of the Be Afraid brigade are now black. Be Afraid of what? Black government? I understand the nostalgia of the white media for apartheid, but I can’t understand what these coconuts are nostalgic for.
Your argument Memela will not receive good reception as you question the ideologies that govern the interest of the bourgeoisie class.
That is why the government has relied on SABC (public broadcaster) to communicate its philosophy. The print media is totally controlled by commercial interest and it is a myth that they are neutral and objective.
If you want to examine this subject in details, you can read Belinda Bozzoli’s book: Capital and Ideology in South Africa 1890-1930. In her book, Belinda analyse the organic rise of intellectual middle class and how this class has developed various manifestation to articulate and defend its ideologies based on their interests.
Sandile is correct in one respect; A one-party state controls not only state coffers but the flow of information as well. A one-party state cannot be democratic. Opposing views are not allowed. The uniformity of opinion is achieved through the villification of any opinion that is not in line with government propaganda.
It is, however, refreshing to realise that there are editors who are a thorn in the flesh of the regime and its lackeys like Sandile. To them I say; Always remember that it’s your patriotic duty to frustrate all attempts aimed at turning our country into a banana republic! Could it be too late?
Is this (and the views expressed on the arts etc) a joke around April Fool’s Day, or is Memela trying to be funny just to get some reaction? If it’s his attempt at humor, he seems to be very successful judging by the number of responses. I refuse to take this type of “argumentation” seriously - it would be an insult to my intelligence if I did.
The same papers totaly trashed the NATS so why be racist and and spare a Black Govt that is failing its poor people as so well said by Phillipa: “It is sad Sandile, I am a white woman myself and I realise that it is much easier for me to get work than a black woman and I work part-time for an NGO in Khayelitsha and you cannot imagine how much blacks there are suffering! No jobs! Little hope!”
After 16 years and the poor have “No jobs! Little hope!” so why spare the Govt, a bit less of R50 billion on arms and a similar amount on graft and no delivery and those poor would be much much better off.
Stop the trashing when Govt delivers, delivers, delivers, deilvers nothing else. BEE does not deliver to the poor and hopeless in fact does the opposite.
Sandile, hate it how you surmise that the Black Editors only got their positions because they are Black and not by merit.
What are narrow minded political figures expecting of the press?,and journalists - to toe the ANC line because it is expected of them to perceive reality as told, and that ALL black people now have to accept and be grateful that they have entered the proverbial heaven because of the ANC?.despite what they see and experience everyday.
I dont think it’s proper in a democracy to expect editors to support the ruling party (even the opposition for that matter), but it’s true that the media, on the whole, in SA have an agenda and aperspective to promote (and it reperesents white interests and values) & no one can argue aginst this. So, Memela has a point. Why is it that Memela is callled all sort so fnames simply because he disagrees wit continuous govt./ANC bashing, and Malala for insatnec is hailed by whites as a beacon of hope. Why? Indepepndence and intelligence cannot be judged by the extent to which one agrees with racists and liberals.
Siphiwo raises an interstng pnt cause Haffajee has just been deployed to push and advance the same agenda at City Press, whilst Khathu has been “promoted” to General Manager. Makes u think doesn’t it?, also given the vociferous and venomous response Memela has generated here.
Jeez, you quote distinguished names like Percy Qoboza and his ilk, yet you seem not to have learnt the lesson he knew so well: it is a journalist’s JOB to shine a highly critical light on the powers-that-be. All very well when they were nasty white men, not so comfy when they’re your friends, neh?
God save us from the day when a servile press uniformly supports the government of the day. And save us from nonsensical commentators like you.
“This happens at a time when they should not only be flexing their political muscle but taking hard-line positions to protect and promote the interests of the majority who are poor, unemployed and dispossessed.” = Nationalist and Pan-Africanist Ideology.
After careful reading your argument again, I picked the line that summarise your quest for debate. If you look around at the argument posted above, most of us have been conquered by the characteristics of “capitalist imperialism” (Vladimir Ilyich Lenin).
I have not seen an argument that analyse the Nationalist and Pan-Africanist ideology as less of a progressive revolutionary to our nationalist interest (skills development, land reform, equality etc.). Most of our middle class groups have distanced themselves from the Pan-Africanist ideology because they have become Reformists. They believe that everything should be left as it is, nothing should be changed. The question is, how could you distance yourself from the revolution that brought changes to your itinerary?
Middle class should continue to argue and discuss ideologies that could pave the way to achieve wider National and Pan-Africanist objectives. If people defend their current positions without explanation their ideological symbolism and self-interest are missing the point raise by Memela.
- the media exists only in the ‘public interest’, kind of like a public broadcaster with no licence fees that must be self-sustaining somehow without being allowed to publish news stories or comment on anything except allowed topics.
- we should have re-education sessions for people whose ‘character’ is not approved of. Very tasty. Who’s first?
- Thabo Mbeki wasn’t that bad after all.
- “intellectual coconut” is a very common phrase heard on street corners everywhere.
- Barbara Hogan won’t be back after elections.
- the only reason that any African person experiences freedom is because the ANC has made it possible. Interesting chronological take there.
- All editors, or at least all non-white editors, are men.
- There is an actual publication called ‘Jehovah’s Witness’. Or alternatively, it just looked like a good keyword to jump up in search rankings. Really, the writing of pieces with little sense and lots of keywords ought to be discouraged, if not banned.
So yeah, nice piece. I enjoyed the dissection. Frogs’ legs for lunch.
Fortunately the masses that appreciate the benefits they have received from the ANC governments do not read this biased view of the ANC from the editors. Don’t forget the educated and the middle class will always resist change in any form. The only manaifesto that will make sense to them is that of the DA because it guarantees protection of what they have.
Is it not presumptuous of you to raise a point and simultaneously declare that no one can argue against it? Memela is not criticising ANC/government bashing. He is chastising editorial opinion that is critical of the ANC/government instead of parroting government propaganda!
Racism is not a joke and should not be used to hide the incompetence, corruption, cronyism, mismanagement of the economy by an inept government hellbent on disregarding the rule of law, of tolerating incompetence and of making a mockery of our young democracy! We don’t need racists to point us to the corruption that is rampant in our country. Even if it were so, it would not negate the existence of such corruption simply because the whistleblower were racist or that their motives were inspired by their racist orientation or racial animus.
It is an insult to the intelligence of any South African to be told that the media should serve the government lest they be characterised as puppets of some nebulous and imaginary deity masquerading as an ally whose purpose in life is to snooker the rubes!
I was really frightened when I read Sandile Memela’s piece and some of the comments agreeing with him, frightened because the piece was an ugly uninformed diatribe, undiluted vitriol. Frightened because so many readers, agreeing with him, jump to unwarranted conclusions and wild generalisations. Too many to list but here’s one: “the educated and the middle class will always resist change in any form. The only manaifesto [sic] that will make sense to them is that of the DA because it guarantees protection of what they have.” It’s just a lie! I’m educated and middle class, and so are all my friends (black, white and various shades in between if you must know), and not one of us resists change and not one of us supports the DA. There’s something very unpleasant abroad in this country right now - a supposed freedom to sling accusations and insults around at will. But most frightening, perhaps, is Memela’s “There should be public hearings, perhaps, on the content of the character of our editors, their aspirations and anxieties, orientation and opportunities.” Wow. Is this a foretaste of Nazism?
Dear Philippa,
“I find it quite incredulous (sic - incredible) that white women so vehemently oppose AA when they have recently been proven to have benefited most from it than both black men and black women combined”. Um…maybe it’s because they don’t think that discriminating against people based on their race and gender is ethical? Would you be equally amazed at the traffic cop who refused a bribe out of his moral convictions even though it would benefit him personally? People have more depth than you may suspect.
Memela’s twisted logic did not need any injection of apartheid glorification. The philosophy of apartheid you appear to be so fond of, was ironically premised on the same irrationality and intellectual bankruptcy which form the basis of Memela’s incomprehensible nonsense.
You attempt to elevate “bantu education” to a status it does not deserve, like Memela’s push for the recognition and acceptance of rubbish to a status it too, does not deserve. What you call “education” was indoctrination and propaganda aimed at making the African people slaves at the service of white supremacy.
Memela’s diatribe attempts to do exactly the same thing but it is journalism that is required to unleash the propaganda and indoctrination and keep us enslaved to government arrogance and its futile attempts to turn us into zombies and robots who see no evil and hear no evil while they line their pockets with our money and the wealth of those not yet born.
The two of you appear to be made from the same cloth that is white with some shades of black! We are through being treated like death-mutes and nonentities by individuals who suffer from “narcisstic personality disorder and delusions of grandeur. Hitler is dead; so is Goebbels!
You are hilarious! You seem to have deliberately misunderstood the editorial role. You’re obviously v intelligent, intellectual even. Why do you do deliberately dumb yourself down?!
Editors are meant to be impartial and see the whole picture. That is why they must be critical of EVERYONE. What use would they be if they only supported one political party? Buying newspapers would be pointless, as you would already know what they would say before you bought them…so what would the point be?
It’s probably best if you refrain from any editorial positions, hahahaha. Your publication would be v dull and predictable.
hahahahahaha! It’s a pity your response to me is not on here. There is nothing I appreciate more than a great comeback. “I already have a high paying government job.” I’m still laughing. LOL!
There are very few people who can speak the truth openly like you do. Most of us (especially blacks) prefer to suffer silently for economic reasons. It’s sad. The thought of challenging your master is intimidating. It is for this reason that the black editors choose to echo their masters voices than being themselves. We still have a long way to go
To answer your first question (how do we account for the absence of a single black editor who supports the African National Congress?) : maybe its because most editors don’t have to rely on food packages that are dependent on supporting the ANC.
Maybe, just maybe, they’re able to analyse the situation and report objectively on issues that affect the interests of a nation and its people, not a party and its president.
But you know this surely, the intentional dumbing down of the issues in your blogs is designed to enrage and distract. The mission is not anti-government, it is to interrogate government.
So while you may be clever enough to manipulate the issues in your article, it doesn’t make you smart.
Just desperate for a govt PR job and Niehaus’ old apartment.
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Sandile Memela grew up in Soweto where he was groomed to live 'the life of the mind.'
He believes in freedom of expression and respects the right of those who do not agree with him.
He has worked as an editor, journalist, columnist and advertising strategist.
At the moment, he is a government funk.
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And so, the auditions for a high paying government job begin.
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