South Africa has disasters — political, ethical and economic disasters. We have a fat ruling elite which is increasingly drifting away from the needs and realities of the poor and marginalised. We have a ruling alliance which is forever quibbling about current and future spoils — a hobby in which they engage while dressed to kill, drinking the finest wines, driving the best wheels in the land and living it up generally. There is the dead and deadening opposition politics. We also have enough failed matriculants to fill three FNB/Soccer City stadiums. There is an ailing economy that will most probably not deliver the thousands of jobs (or jobs opportunities. Who cares?) More people are on welfare than those in “decent” jobs — a slow ticking bomb, if ever there was one. Meanwhile, Eskom seems determined to get their inane 105% tariff increment in 36 months. Experts tell us that in a few years our energy problems will soon be outstripped by our water-shortage problems. Our leaders appear to have no concrete medium to long-term plans to deal with these and many other challenges.
But after seeing the horrific pictures of the dead, the dying, the trapped and dazed survivors in the streets and slums of Haiti on TV last night, I could not sleep. This was enough to take my mind away from the comparatively “petty” South African issues. After all, the Haitian people have had their unfair share tragedy and disaster. It appears that natural and man-made (yes, I mean man as in male!) disasters have been taking turns at assaulting this heroic people — a sick competition about who can claim the most victims. In contrast, the tragedy of the current and looming South African disasters is that they are almost entirely man-made. As for Haiti, the list of natural disasters that have hit the people of Haiti makes scary reading. Hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes just love this country. As if that is not enough, they also have their fair share of social, political and economic challenges. We are talking here of one of the poorest countries on earth! Additionally, the country has an amazing number of executed, assassinated and overthrown presidents — evidence of a country that has endured political and civil instability for at least a century.
But only a heroic people can take the beating (from man and from nature) that they have taken and still be standing. This nation of descendants of African slaves has proven itself to be resilient from the time they overthrew the French and declared themselves the first black republic in the world (1804). They have seen much trouble since then. But their spirit of resilience and love for life has seen them bounce back from the brink of disaster again and again. The current earthquake is said to be one of the worst ever to hit Haiti and up to 100 000 are feared dead.
Yet even in the face of such tragedy some could not resist making some daft utterances. US Foreign Secretary Hillary Clinton is said to have suggested that the current Haitian earthquake tragedy is of a “biblical scale”. It is not clear what she means by this. She probably wanted to highlight the enormity of the tragedy. But her reference to the biblical is susceptible — in right-wing religious circles — to being interpreted in some doomsday punishment manner even if that is not what Hillary Clinton meant. Indeed, Pat Robertson, a well-known American evangelical Christian is reported to have suggested that the current earthquake disaster in Haiti may be due to a “Haitian pact with the devil” during the acrimonious Haitian war of independence. Some will recall the unfortunate suggestion of another American evangelical leader, Jerry Falwell, who suggested, shortly after the Twin Towers disaster, that 9/11 was “visited upon” America for such “sins” as feminism and homosexuality. Such stupid and irrational utterances in the light of tragedy are both shocking and deeply deplorable. Two urgent responses to the tragedy in Haiti are appropriate, solidarity with the people of Haiti at this time and humanitarian intervention.
It was heartening to learn that our state president, Mr Zuma, has sent, on behalf of us, condolences to the people of Haiti. The UN has appealed to the nations of the world to assist Haitians at this time. If only the countries of the world exerted themselves as much for charity and disaster relief as they do for war. May the world’s superpowers lead by example in this regard. The Red Cross is already doing tremendous work in Haiti at this time. I take my hat off to (South) African charity organisations such as the Gift of the Givers which is already mobilising South Africans to donate and help the people of Haiti.
As a South African, my heart goes out to the people of Haiti. May South Africans join hands with charity organisations to lend a hand to the people of Haiti at this time. May our government also do more than just sending condolences.
It is perfectly clear what Clinton meant. She said “It is biblical, the tragedy that haunts Haiti and the Haitian people. It is so tragic…there was so much hope about Haiti’s future, hope that had not been present for years.” In the context of her statement, she is clearly referring to the massive scale of the devastation. People don’t have to stop using metaphors just because others have, on occasion, misappropriated them. And Clinton’s audience is hardly the same as Robertson’s.
The State Dept mobilized a program through cell phone companies where by texting “HAITI” to a certain number you donated $10 to the Red Cross, which was then added to your phone bill. In 24 hours they raised $3 million that way. That doesn’t count people who gave larger amounts, either to the Red Cross or other organizations like Partners in Health or World Vision, by going online.
Clinton made clear that the rescue effort was going to be a commitment of “months and years.” She is thinking long-term.
American rescue groups are already on the ground and indeed were the first ones there along with American journalists who helicoptered in from neighboring DR.
So yes, the superpowers are leading by example. And you’re “heartened” that SA expressed condolences? You can do better.
Thank your for writing this great piece about Haiti. We are a resilient people, bloodied by our
historical ennemies, _nature and men, but still unbowed. Our spirit is yet to be broken. In the spirit of our great ancestors, we stand still.
MESI AMPIL
Spare a thought for Bertrand Aristide, who is right now ensconced in the lap of luxury at SA taxpayers expense, counting his lucky stars.
I could not agree with you more about our government’s “condolences”. Perhaps they could send some of the money earmarked to help Robert Mugabe to Haiti instead. Our navy could do with some exercise as well? Judging by the photos, the Haitans are too dazed for “condolences” to have much effect.
Charity begins at home, even with the earthquake,South Africans have more need of help than the Haitians.
Biblical scale sounds true; recalling the pests and wrath of God on the Egyptians. The scale of this disaster is too large and too much evil for a three dimensional mind to grasp.
We were warned that in the last of days terrible things are going to happen and that we must look the other way and go on in faith and love.
Those unfortunate ones need more prayers than ever before.
Well said! To be fair to Hillary Clinton, I think the usage of the term ‘biblical scale’ no longer has any religious connotation – at least it seems to be part of general parlance in NZ (my home) in reference to a mind-bogglingly big disaster. (Possibly because of devaluation of words like ‘carnage’ used to describe a minor traffic accident by a sensation-mongering media!) The likes of Pat Robertson are just scum with their ridiculous ‘God’s wrath’ nonsense – more so when he seems to think the punishment is for having the temerity to revolt over slavery. You may recall he trotted out similar nonsense with respect to Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. America’s religious nutters are as bad as the Taliban.
Wow Prof Maluleke – I’m already a fan. I like your take on man (as in male) – made disasters.
But let’s also hope that disasters like these will convince people in both Haiti and Africa that they actually CAN do something about the man-made problems.
And if Pat Robertson said what he did he is just plainly an arsehole.
And I would like to suggest that Gift of the Givers is wholly South African, and not African at all. That is until the learn that giving is the essence of receiving and not the other way round.
And what about the Haitian ex-president living off the fat of the South African land. If reports are accurate, the SA government have donated 1 (one) million rand. That would barely last the ex-pres. and family a month of living from the taxpayer’s purse. And why blame the Americans? They are leading the relief effort. And at the risk of raising more of your generous ire, I would like to say, May God bless and keep the people of Haiti in the hour of their need.
I have worked extensively with Haitians and can report that the despite the terrible suffering they have undergone, they are among the kindest, good-hearted people on earth and deserve whatever consideration you can afford. The first Gift of the Givers search and rescue team is arriving about now, and an airlift of medical supplies is to be made as soon as a large enough aircraft can be leased.
You can donate to Gift of the Givers http://www.giftofthegivers.org/haiti-disaster/index.php
Actually, Port au Prince looked the same before the alleged earthquake.
The only real indication that there may indeed have been a quake is the changed appearance of the presidential palace.
Spare more than a thought -
https://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=donate&cause_id=1747
Weird that Haiti is devastated while the Dominican Republic is practically unscathed by the same earthquake.
Weird, too, to call Haitians a ‘resilient people’ when, surely, it is the Dominicans who are obviously the more resilient.
No one in their right mind could blame Haitians for their circumstances. Meanwhile, we have army, airforce and navy all twiddling their thumbs. Also around 90 000 construction workers just out of work because the stadiums are finished. Wouldn’t it be just wonderfull if our government would send some of these, as volunteers, out to Haiti, at government expense, to help in the devastation?
A well written article. I am told that RSA has donated R1 million…..just for interest Botswana has donated P1 million, one hundred thousand more rand!
it is essential for man to repair and rebuild what god has destroyed! The omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent god is not all powerful, all knowing or kindly. Men will once again come to the rescue of those in trouble due to disasters. Well done USA!
It does put one’s personal problems in perspective as well. Also, spare a thought for everyone in this country affected by drought. This is a catastrophe of biblical proportions as well, but because it works slowly, the effects are not so dramatically noticeable.
Natural disasters bring people closer to one another. If there were a similar disaster in SA, I bet that all racism form both sides would disappear and the generousity of human spirit would carry the day…
Belle, this map might help you to understand – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2010_haiti_shake_map.jpg – the star is the Haitian capital.