There is no nice way of saying this, but those black journalists who chased away their white colleagues at a function attended by Jacob Zuma should not be allowed to continue in this profession. If they are to provide a safeguard against political abuse and report on the moral well-being of this country, then I have a number of problems.
In no particular order :
Racists are the last people who should be judging the morality of others. The conduct of these journalists was reprehensible and, in my opinion, they have waived the right to report on anything political. In order to assist those who did not arrange the function or its racist composition, I would merely ask whether they walked out once they had learned of its racist nature.
By accepting that there is a place for racism in South Africa you are, by your disgusting conduct, confirming that whites-only schools, Afrikaans-only clubs and any other exclusivity is appropriate. Far worse, your conduct itself is all the proof that separatists need for a new whites-only state.
This issue is starting to appear with alarming frequency, which in light of such conduct is hardly surprising. If you believe that apartheid is in order, then please record that for all to read. The fact that it is blacks in charge of this abomination instead of whites will achieve the same results as the original version — sanctions.
If you are journalists who support JZ, then you could not have done him a greater disservice. You have made him a party to the latest version of South Africa’s fascination with segregation and it doesn’t look pretty.
In a country where BEE and affirmative action (legislated — but necessary — racism) along with sporting tokenism (a disgraceful form of unnecessary racism) is a daily affront, we are now confronted with elitism and hatred like this garbage from journalists who, of all people, should have known better. Having arranged this function on a racist basis, what moral ground are you going to stand on when you are excluded based on your race in the future?
This smacks of journalists who believe that only a select few “government-of-the-future lackeys” are responsible enough to be allowed to report during the Zuma presidency. Something along the lines of the censored media of apartheid, who justified the government of the day regardless of how good or bad their performance. Anything contrary was to be suppressed.
If I may be so bold, Mr Zuma: you have now been to Mauritius and told the court there that you were the victim of a plot led by President Mbeki; your faction is determined to dismantle the two most effective police units we have; and you have strongly indicated that the press will be subject to stricter controls.
To me, correct me if I’m wrong, this equates to corruption unchecked and unreported leading to a loss of billions to the poor so that an elite few can achieve absolute control — the champion of the poor in essence being the biggest danger to the poor, as not only will the resources allocated to their upliftment be severely depleted, but two of their most vital safeguards (effective policing and a strong, effective media) will also be but a thing of the past.
Your conduct in concluding that there was nothing wrong with this blatant racism sends the worst possible message to South Africans and the rest of the world. Locally it is tantamount to licensing groups to close ranks and exclude everyone else — unless you are suggesting that there are different rules for different groups. In the case of the latter, that inconsistency would be a recipe for uncertainty, which will result in a lacuna where the rule of law used to be.
Abroad, the message is: welcome back, apartheid, under new management.
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98 Responses to “Zuma and Forum of Black Journalists disgrace South Africa”
The next steps will be clubs where no Indians and coloureds are allowed as they are not pure black. Perhaps they will install ethnicity DNA interrogation machines at the door.
You are right Trap this is a disgrace.
The precedent for this was that Native Club thingy under Mbeki’s auspices, where immigrants even from other continents were acceptable as long as sufficiently pigmented.
Dear Trapido, as always you write a great deal of sense but you do not seem to understand the offence the white man has perpetrated in SA.
To wit:
M&G article:
Cuban doctors in SA rejoice as Castro quits
Johannesburg, South Africa
23 February 2008 09:19
The doctor was in an operating theatre when the call came through from his wife: “He’s gone, he’s no longer there.”
“We always call him ‘he’. ‘He who shall not be named.’ Like Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter novels,” Dr Barbaro Monzon-Torres says, grinning across the table in his office at Johannesburg’s South Rand Hospital.—etc.—-Monzon Torres, on the other hand, despite appreciating middle-class comforts in South Africa, admits: “We have never found true happiness in South Africa, not like in Cuba. If I could make a ton of money, I could give that ton of money to change the system to be able to go back.” — Sapa-dpa (Read the rest on today’s front page please.)
Someone with sick right wing tendencies wrote this article allowing the duplicitous, greedy, ignorant little grinning bastard Torres’s views a space they do not deserve. Note his recognition of a lack of acceptance here in the ‘true happiness’ remark.
That SA newspapers print such on a stunningly frequent basis is enough to distrust the run of mill white journalist who if we bother to review the past was predominantly pessimistic and racist.
It always strikes me as funny that Whitey who bloody nearly destroyed SA insists he is the solution.
Whitey!
Get real and see through the prattle mind of people like Torres!
Try asking the black journalists why and listen to the answer! You clearly have not yet done so. You will find it lies in the balance. As America’s situation displays now, the longer the mighty wait to listen the less chance of balance and the greater the chance of mutual self destruction.
A pattern of evasion is appearing in Zuma’s responses. When asked if he was a crook in the No More Mandelas documentary, he responded with ‘What is a crook?’ Only when pressed did he answer appropriately.
And now: Asked whether he thought it was constitutionally correct to bar white journalists, Zuma said this was a question for the forum.
As the potential leader of South Africa he should be able to answer big questions properly.
This has been coming, in plain view, for years, and we aren’t even ‘there’ yet. I cant see how you can still claim that AA and BEE are necessary evils?
We have one hope and one hope only. A truly non racial country, where there is no legalised racism of any sort, in any field, by any colour.
If we don’t do something now it will be too late. We are turning into the next Zimbabwe rather quicker than anyone expected. I am desperate to bring some funds from the UK into SA to expand my business and create more jobs, but i am not going to, i am too scared to lose it (because the rand will devalue so much, not because it will be stolen off me). How many others are feeling the same?
The day Desmond Tutu (what a moral giant that man is) was told by the rather ungrateful ruling party, to ‘keep his nose out of politics’ (oh the irony was crippling) you knew all was far from well.
Alas your comment;
“The fact that it is blacks in charge of this abomination instead of whites will achieve the same results as the original version — sanctions”
shows a naivety from you that has surprised me. No one is going to take sanctions against SA because of black racism, the west is still wallowing in unfounded and unnecessary guilt over colonialism. Even Zimbabwe has only got travel sanctions and the freezing of a few stolen funds, and how racist is that man?
Now compare that to what would happen to Gordon Brown if he stood up and said black didn’t belong in the UK, stole all their property, removed their right to challenge the theft in court…..
The (Black)Arch-Bishop of York (UK), Ugandan John Sentamu has my vote for his rather balanced and insightful views on the good that colonialism brought to Africa, and the damage this guilt complex continues to cause to poor Africans who suffer whilst we assuage our guilt and stand by allowing dictators to do their thing (But i guess that is another issue for another day.)
Unlike the author, I have no problem with the actions of these journalists. They are people who had the courage to act in accordance the natural order of things. They have eventually realized that birds of a feather flock together, that multiculturalism is an absurd, outdated fantasy, and have had the honesty to state this in public.
We are therefore making great progress in South Africa. These journalists are pioneers in the black community, being among the first to herald the death of multiculturalism.
What remains now is to move forward from this auspicious beginning. Whites are not welcome, said both their and Zuma’s actions loudly. I accept that and have no problem whatsoever with this view.
This being the case, our tax money is presumably also not welcome. Neither is our expertise.
The solution now becomes very, very simple. Let us partition South Africa into ethnic areas. Give the each ethnic group in a very loosely-coupled South African federation autonomy to do their own thing, raise their own taxes and spend those taxes on their own interests.
No need for affirmative action. No need for BEE. No need for sports quotas – the Afrikaner State in the Federation will field the Springboks and the black states can field their own rugby teams.
Once again, well done to the black journalists for having the courage to state the obvious - the Rainbow Nation never existed. I sincerely applaud you for your bravery.
I too am deeply ashamed of my former colleagues. None is welcome around me any more. They have abdicated the privilege of being called journalists. Were I their boss, I’d fire them on the same charge that got me fired: Gross misconduct and bringing the (whichever media they work for) into disrepute.
Their have forfeited all claims to professional impartiality, independence, balanced reporting - and not just in political affairs. How will they report on a murder in which a white person kills a black? Or a crimen injuria case in which a white person allegedly called a black person a “kaffer”? Or a stage production about racism in SA?
They have shattered their trustworthiness and besmirched their credibility - and by extension, that of the media which keep them employed.
I am deeply ashamed of every one of them, irrespective of the fact that most, like Makoe can at best be rated only an F+ in journalistic competence anyway.
And that applies to all members of racially defined and racially exclusive groupings. A friend of mine who runs construction companies in Jhb, Bloem and Kimberley recently fired his attorney when he found out he was a member of the BLA. Name and shame the racist bastards I say, white, black, indian, coloured, martian, one-legged dwarf pro-gun lesbian nazis - whatever!
Just a thought, but aren’t all human beings on the face of the planet of African decent to a degree? If fairly recent scientific findings are anything to go by, even White people originated from Africa.
Anyway, this is just to illustrate the absurdity of the forum’s reasoning.
I would like to form a “White Managers Foundation”whose sole aim would be to clearly expose and combat the twin economic scourges of BEE and Affirmative Action.
Of course,this is written tongue in cheek,but were it a serious intention,the results would be totally predictable:
Membership would be massive,we would be branded as white racists with certain empty vessels in government leading the charge,Cosatu and Ancyl would embark on their customary destructive riots,and the gutless mass of (white)big business leaders would distance themselves from us while licking ANC boots.
“A black journalist attending the event defended the forum, saying it was a platform to redress the damages wrought on the media by the apartheid system.”
This black journalist is not saying that he wants to redress the damage wrought by the apartheid system, he is saying that he does not believe that white people have a role in redressing those damages in his forum!!!
Sure, white people were in charge of the apartheid system but…ai-konna my man if you are thinking that…
… just because the majority of white people thirty years ago were either out and out racists or just armchair liberals without the courage of their convictions does not mean that you should now make it impossible for any white journalist, even those journalists who were just kids in those days, to be part of this conversation.
How do you suggest we can come to terms with the past and move forward into the future when we keep thinking we have nothing in common just because the color of our skin is different ?
And when you say that there is no space for white people in a conversation about racist oppression in the past then maybe what you are saying is that there is no room for racists in a conversation like that and on this point I and most other white people will agree with you but I do NOT agree with you that all white people are racists which means that I do NOT agree with you when you say there is no space for white people in a conversation about racist oppression in the past!
To say that all people who have white skins are racists is like saying all people who have black skins are stupid.
Mike, still think we should give the amnesty. welcome to the tyranny of the majority or perceived majority.
We are moving perhaps not to a Zuma dictatorship but to a party dictatorship.Most dictatorships have their roots in popular movements and without critical consciousness the people are easily conned to defend the dictatorship till it becomes strong and painful for the people.
For those of us who were educated in Zimbabwe during the 80s and early 90s, a couple of guys in Umsobomvu, included will remember that although he did war with the people of Matabeleland and PF ZAPU Robert Mugabe never declared war on whites. The first war declared was on underdevelopment. This was by means of a massive literacy and educational campaign aimed at getting everyone a quality education not just education. This was coupled with lots of training of black people in mining and all other fields to attainment of world class qualifications. Agriculture which was the backbone of the economy had lots of people trained and educated formally in farm management, master farmer programs etc. This was coupled with persuading friendly counties (just about everyone) to support the skilling of black Zimbabweans by scholarships to study abroad. Then when this was achieved and in its currency, black people moved gradually into junior, then senior, then executive management and then to enterepreneuship first through management and employee buyouts.
In other words Robert Mugabe dictator though he was, put colonialism in the dock, indicted it and prosecuted it by accelerating the human development of those who were underdeveloped. This meant not just giving people a free education but equiping them with a culture of learning, continous development, work ethic, self elevation. When the people were educated enough to see through the government propaganda and begin to question the right of tradition which ZANU PF and the ANC are, Robert declared war on “colonialists”, 19 years after independence to deflect from the real concerns of the people. The land issue could have been solved with a far less acrimony and with no violence at all because Zimbabweans outside of a small minority of criminal elements mostly outside the country abhorred and still abhor violence and it was a country with an effective law enforcement machinery and everyone feared Robert even the so -called war veterans who were made to invade farms when all seemed lost.
In this case fouteen years into independence we already instead of persecuting underdevelopment coupled with a s*** culture (as a foreign friend of mine put it) when it comes indicting and prosecuting the wrongs of the past,are declaring war on “colonialists”. Hence our thrust has moved to freedom of expression to name calling and blaming the past for the shitty state of our educational, health and moral systems.
I see yesterday we had Sarafina showing for the umpteenth time on SABC this time om SABC 3 TO CONCIENTISE those whites as we are wont top do to viewers of SABC 1. Unfortunately we are not giving them a critical consciousness but we are giving them a morbid black consciousness which will destroy what is left of the tribal cultures (nothing called African culture in my book) and perpetuate the underdevelopment of the black majority.
South Africa is not rich, neither is it an example for the world to see, it could like Zimbabwe serve as a warning. Before South Africa conquers Africa let alone the world it must conquer itself in every sphere of human endevour and life. And it does not start by withdrawing into laagers or forming fellowships of the assegai or calabash.
100% on the button Michael. I suggest that the journalists who stuck around and jeered those who walked out should be named and shamed in the media. Let’s ALL of us know exactly who stands for racism and who doesn’t. Presumably all concerned will be proud to stand up and be counted.
I love it! Racism is alive and well, the truth is coming and the non black South Africans better get their heads around the fact. There is no place for you in SA, you are not wanted you are tolerated for the moment until the very first opportunity arises to rid the country of your existence!
How long will you live as a marginalized member of your own country having to repay your apartheid dept. Do you honestly believe it will get better, South Africa might get better but not for you and not for your children. And God help you if SA gets worse, I would hate to see your children applying for political asylum in 10 - 20 years time because you failed to read the signs.
An the signs are written clearly across the whole damn continent!
@Midafo - I agree with you on that article and I don’t think it acurately reflected the views of the Cuban doctor but sort headline coverage instead. Not that 2 wrongs make a right.
@Traps - Is there not a law that prohibits discrimination of membership of a club / association based on race? A High school recently lost a court case for refusing english speaking pupils and another for discriminating against religious attire at school.
Why don’t some white journalists apply to join and if not allowed to. Take them to the constitutional court.
Also if one is a white ANC member can one join the club?
As a white person, I totally support the BJF actions in barring white journalists. Thank you for having the courage of your convictions. Like you, I agree with the basic principles of apartheid, and your actions have highlighted the fact that we, the white right, were both morally and functionally correct in our policies pre 1994.
Once again the point is being missed among all the huff and puff.
The BJF are, at a long stretch, entitled to ban anyone they choose, as they choose. Perhaps they’ll leave out the deaf next time - always a bit of a pain with their hearing aids - or the short-sighted (can’t see who’s speaking) or the lame (can’t climb stairs).
The only problem here is Zuma’s reaction. As president-elect he is supposed to be upholding the values of the Constitution.
Jakob Zuma is going to make South Africa a secound Zimbabwe. Can’t the people learn what happen in the pass between our fore fathers is over and done we are living in a DEMOKRATIC South Africa we whites and blacks have learned work together and being friends now wiht this black journalist forum it shows me apartheid is BACK
The comment from the leader of this Black forum, really got to me “We are not anti-White, we are just Pro-Black”. Orwell would have been proud of this lot. Can you imagine if some white person had uttered the words “We are not anti-Black we are just Pro-White?” What other manner of clubs and associations should we whites form now organised along “racial lines” to the exclusion of blacks? Perhaps another Rand Club? What about the White Managers’ Society, or the White Media Association? What about some Whites only private nightclubs and restaurants. The mind boggles at the pandoras box this has opened.
You people(politically incorrect) amaze me. You scream no whites allowed, blah, blah, crap. Face it. It was the Forum for Black Journalists, and by the look of things most people only read what the want and then scream: OUTRAGE. for what?
You still want power.
If it was the forum for White Journalists, white journo can, and would have done what they want, DEMOCRACY ALLOWS THAT: or have you forgoten what it mean to have it..
Excuses are bull, people. I love all races but if i want to interact with only black people at a certain time then, it’s my right do so, Eugene did, and I agree with him.
My point is if i don’t want to talk to you, don’t force me accept gracefully don’t name call. We all have rights so don’t let you infringe mine OK.
Why all the surprise!! Did you not know that the horse had not been changed. It was only the jockey. Wait until JZ gets confortable in the saddle and then you will see what you will see. God save us all in South Africa - Black,White and whatever.
Clearly Apartheid is still alive and kicking. Unfortunately, on this point, it doesn’t matter who I want elected as the country’s president. prima facie (on the face of it), what journalists did looked like Apartheid-in-reverse. It’s a pity that one of the greatest leaders in our country was on the middle of it, and he failed to notice it.
I’ve always seen President Zuma as a unifying figure; therefore, to hear him justifying the thing that only needs destructive criticism, it pains me. Although this should tell us that we are still in the past, until we engage these issues (of race).
Mybe the black journalists are justified in what they did, but that remains a moot point; I think this could have been avoided, by issuing invitation cards to particular journalists. Even if they were just letting the other journalists taste the medicine that they had to endure, during the apartheid era, this should be condemned, cause it’s egregious.
And the president (Zuma) should not be beyond criticism, because in not so many days to come I’m hoping he (Zuma) would be leading this country impartially, colour blind (non-racial) and gender neutral. Clearly, in my opinion, for him (presidnt Zuma) to allow journalists to put him in the middle of racism issues does not go well, especially, for his credibility.
I personally think there is nothing wrong with the FBJ, but the condition that white journalist were not allowed. Honestly, in Khoza’s words, I think some of my brothers should stop thinking like K4ff1rs, ag sis man!!. As young black South African, I was beginning to develop hope that things are going in a right direction, for starters we are very quick to raise a race card when we lose debates or unable to achieve something, even if it true in some instances, but if we are going to have a situation where this is sactioned and endorsed by president in waiting, hell I don’t know. F4ck! what if white journalists did the samething? $hit would hit the fan in the newspapers/radios and everywhre. Come on black brothers, we can do much better, I know how painful a racist attack in any form can be, I would want any other person to feel that crap, we need to stop this nonsense please!!
A few black journalists come together to form a club and it becomes a big storm. Come on South Africans…there are bigger issues to look at than this. Catholics have their own religion, so do Muslims and other religious sects. I have not heard religions making a big deal out of these segmentations. Instead they reach out to each other. Why dont journalists do the same, form different clubs, fora or networks and then reach out to each other. I know that whether pronounced or not…these clubs exist…both literally and figuratively. Get real people and deal with more pressing issues.Maybe it is time South Africans move from this fixation on race.
Bhekinkosi your comments are so contradictory! “it is time SA move from this fixation on race” - that was the whole point of the meeting was it not ???? Anyway I was born in SA so therefore I am african, just like Mandela said. So why, as a person of white complexion, can I be discriminated against ?
Sorry this whole thing was a joke, and JZ once again proved his IQ is in double digits.
I do not think that there is a single high profile white club in this country which excludes non-whites because of the colour of their skin. If they did they would be taken to the Equity Court and rightly so. Churches simply do not exclude people on the basis of race.
To call these people journalists is an insult to a profession which has devoted considerable effort to the struggle.
In this case the fixation with race rests unequivocally with the BJA and anything that aggravates racial tension is profoundly detrimental to the future wellbeing of this country .
anton kleinschmidt on February 23rd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Is there anywhere, any forum, where I may write what I want _ the content which shall contain perceived racism and profane language _ without offending you people,and without fear of attracting clandestine retribution toward my person or that of members of my family, about Jacob Zuma?
Save your indignation, you’re part of this culture and you had a part in bringing about the intolerance towards whites.
You cannot turn around now - you’ve stated your position clearly in the past. So have your ANC cake and eat it. Those filthy white racist reporters never have been objective anyway.
So stew in in! It’s going to get much, much worse, and perhaps one day you’ll understand that Afri-forum are fighting for survival, not for apartheid.
You do not need to be so obvious. I know how most whites with power still treat black people in SA. Dont get me wrong there are a lot of nice white people and they are not included in the groups I am talking about.
If black journos wanted to leave their white colleagues out, ALL you needed to say was you were having “UMSEBENZI” and even if you were from different tribes like Xhosa, Sotho, Venda etc who dont do umsebenzi, you could have defended your coming together as an African ritual thing. That alone could have excluded them. What would a white person be doing in an African ritual. Having said that if you cant comouflage your discrimination, then you will hurt the very foundations that not so long ago you proudly proclaimed to the world as being a “RAINBOW NATION”. You need to work on it NOT destroy it. Do we not call that REVERSE RACISM.
Journalists! I say JOURNALISTS! You are responsible for demoralising the country. There are too many isms going on around you guys. It is frustrating because we, as people are superficially drawn to these things. It blinds us, separates us, it causes upheavals and you guys are driving it. Isms always cause people to clash. Get off the ism platforms.
I’m not sure if it is possible to stop it because it is what causes people to do things even in a certain way. For Journalists and the media, it is what causes people to buy your material, and even buy into surmounting the strange spirits that comes with it. Cause and effect.
The earth has been subject to many unfortunate evils. Understand that there is a difference between evil and an evil doer. Evil is harmless by itself. It is only effective when someone comes and uses it.
I am tempted to suggest an ism that might attempt to unify people, but it would be hypocritical of me to suggest such a thing.
Nc. South Africa. Such a blessed nation. You should see yourselves when you’re united. It is very attractive.
“Unlike the author, I have no problem with the actions of these journalists. They are people who had the courage to act in accordance the natural order of things. They have eventually realized that birds of a feather flock together, that multiculturalism is an absurd, outdated fantasy, and have had the honesty to state this in public.”
As we can see in the statement above as well as the attitude of those journalist that chased away their white colleagues, that apartheid in its sick and hideous form is still alive and well.
Trappe this makes your article an even more pertinent and necessary reading for these desperate times. Well done and keep on clanging that bell of change.
as a white american who is married to an indian south african i retain an interest in the politics of sa. most of what i know about mr zuma is of concern. he is not only a thug and a sexist pervert, it seems we can now add a racist seperatist to the list. sa has taken many steps forward only now to be taken back. the country has the unique opportunity to change history and create a country for all. i as others are alarmed at the brash and self serving nature of mr zuma. he is not leadership material for the modern era!
what ever we say as black people of this country this is wrong.
Do we want to build the nation or divide it?
I agree with u Bruce, this is a Disgrace.
Disgrace
Disgrace
Sipho, thank you for your concern, but allow me to put your mind at rest. White people aren´t hurt by the BJF´s actions. On the contrary, we welcome their decision not to allow whites to attend their meeting, because it proves to us racism is a two way street, just like we have always said. Why don´t we just admit it. We feel far more comfortable in the company of our own kind. Let´s not be hide behind all these lies and PC nonsense, and lets have the courage to admit once and for all that apartheid is the way to go. That´s nothing to be ashamed of. It´s natural. If only we could accept this truth, we would all be better off.
One day we will all see what a great man Dr Hendrik Verwoert really was. He always only wanted what was best for all South Africans, black and white.
Well, let’s just say it what everyone is so scared to say in the politically correct new SA - the FoBJ is nothing more than a bunch of racists having their club meeting. And most black people commenting here is (again) denying this simple fact and even have the audacity of justifying this crime against SA. Like a recent post “there are bigger issues to look at”, in one simple word, DENIAL.
This past week I also experienced this racism when I went for my driver license renewal. The black people there mostly treated me like scum, in my own country of birth. The hatred in blacks (notably “true” africans) for us white people is just lying under the surface. And when they are in government they actually enjoy taking it out on us. Like making you do silly things just to get your flipping license card.
I have worked in other African countries and was NEVER treated in this way. We are respected for WHO we are and our surnames are not used against us. I have black friends who KNOW me and we mutually respect one another, but those in SA with power abuse it because they have not moved on. They still want to get back at us, in subtle and not so subtle ways.
It’s time black people face the music in their government and own communities - you say all these nice things about a democracy, we are all ONE nation, etc but at grassroots you treat us white people like rubbish. We are made to be strangers in our country. You say you have forgiven, yet your hatred lives on.
Yes, there are many white people who still look down on blacks etc, but the majority of whites are pro new SA and we want to be part of it. Yet, blacks only remember that last whitey who used the dreaded k-word against him/her. Why not respect a person for who (s)he is? What is the difference between your discrimination based on the color of the person in front of you and Verwoerd? Please educate me, if you have one word of wisdom re this…
Does Mr Zuma have separate messages for black and
white audiences hence his meeting with BJF,if so
will he extend a similiar courtesy to the WJF,or is that asking too much.
I don’t know why you people are still wasting ‘mind-time’ and ‘internet-time’ discussing Zuma, in relation to this topic. He didn’t make a postive contribution when asked for his opinion, in regard to this topic, and discussing him here only gives credence to the nonsense he waffles.
Secondly, if black ou’s want to listen to him speak (Zuma), and exclude white ou’s, leave them.
I mean, what are you going to miss? Nothing! Zuma is no Mandela, need I remind you. And try not to over-react too, it just makes you look in silly.
I’m inclined to agree with Dirk Short and LoveSA: The writing is on the wall. This is just one of many ways (look out for more in the future) of telling whites they are no longer welcome in S.A. Do yourselves a favour and get the hell out while you still can. There are enough other wonderful places to live, where you don’t have to be ashamed of your white skin.
[…] Michael Trapido on Thought Leader has put it absolutely best, discussing the sheer disgrace that this event is in our country. There is little I can add to his near perfect analysis of this situation. […]
Michael, you are wrong if you think the world will be fussed about this lunacy. No sanctions will be applied against the ANC. The world (and media) in broad does not tollerate white on black racism, but black on white racism does not even register significantly any where. The playing field is not level.
Well, the organised black journalism profession — isn’t that what the BJF is? — has brought the shame of blatant, triumphalist racism crashing down over their own heads by their actions.
To hell with this “new” SA. It stinks like the old one, only just worse because of the hypocrisy. At least the old regime didn’t pretend not to be racists. This one calls it “transformation”.
But it is just apartheid in reverse. I am an engineer with 21 years experience and am taking my money and skills out of here. I will be gone by April.
To our black friends that cannot understand what that means: I employ 300 people, of which 290 are black. They will be joining the unemployed. Why? Because they keep voting this useless ANC rubbish and now Zuma into power thereby speeding up their own demise.
Good article, well balanced but the conclusion of making reference to “abroad” is not called for. Our house keeping issues should not be viewed in the eyes of “abroad”, we shall tackle the issues head on. Are you implying that every action that we take we shall ask ourselves what the west will think of us?
Zuma should have questioned the invite as the head of the ANC and we expect him to unite instead of divide us.
From Abroad, NY
Zuma has gone and involved himself with another disgraceful act. As African journalists they’ve lost the opportunity to claim high ground on the issue of race. What a shame.
Breaking news 2012: The black journalist group met with Zuma to print R10000000 notes and to ask which country to beg for food. Zimbabw/Angola/Zaire/Mozambique,Rwanda,Somalia/South Africa=Africa. Lets get out. Im already going. 8 ppl are losing their jobs, by the way
Firstly - to all the ‘Black’ guys who have come onto this site to show support solidarity with us whites in the face of blatant discrimination - Thank you, most of us really appreciate it.
Secondly - all the white guys who think that this proves Apartheid was right - do what? - you hypocrites. This just proves how wrong it was, and how we need to put all forms of discrimination behind us.
All discrimination on the basis of colour is wrong, and how can anyone think that you can redress the wrongs of a racist society, by perpetrating acts of racism. That goes for the BJA, AA, BEE, AWB and anything else that is race driven.
I hope that those that favour the government’s well meaning, but nevertheless racist policies (like you Traps) will now start to reconsider.
An incident such as this - endorsed by the future president of the country must be the precipice.
Here in all it’s Frankness is a statement to the world - that white complaints are not unfounded. Whites in South Africa are being subjected to gross human rights violations on a daily basis.
Now the future president has opened the floodgates for many exclusionary associative organizations.
Black only schools, whites only schools, black only beaches, white only beaches, black only hospitals. JZ has plainly set a precedent which indicates that the right to association, access to political property, and by extension a myriad of other activities and human rights, may be subject to racial classification.
This is strong but it is time to get rid of a sickness.
Read
Black Britain’s darkest hour
“In 1968, in one of the most controversial speeches of Britain’s political history, Tory MP Enoch Powell warned the nation against opening the ‘floodgates’ to black immigrants. It caused a storm of protest. Sarfraz Manzoor recalls the impact on his family and, 40 years on, returns to Powell’s constituency to meet those Powell wanted to ’send home’”
* Sarfraz Manzoor
Observer 23 Feb
Read this to see again that the ‘greatest’ racists are indubitably whites. Can I direct to the author of the original post here and such as the elegantly assumed ‘gatvol’ the comment in latter kind ‘Whitey fix it or fuck off!’?
If I cannot, how can we stand by and listen to whiteys who constantly look for fault in the actions of those within groups most damagingly affected for generations by the white racism that self same whitey’s whole structure of validity supported even if only by omission?
This is to say that instead of leaping at opportunities to score a point, try to understand you bloody idiots! Remember that idiot refers to the man who cannot rise above the ubiquitous mentality of self, which is the quality of the stupid, the Bush/Blair, the British Imperialist and the Afrikaner Nationalist and the dear, dear, well educated Powell. ‘What me a racist?’ refers strongly here.
I foresee that world history is inevitably moving towards placing the behaviour and writings of the idiots referred to above under the spotlight and many grandchildren are going to want to change their names—there is going to be a dearth of Bushes to hide lights under.
Now the white liberals that for decades were telling us that blacks are not RACISTS only white Afrikaners is, can explain to us ordinary mortals that was and still is bombarded with this crap, What Happened? In the face of the whole world your crap has been exposed!!!! So don’t hang and judge the previous goverment. At least they told us the truth.
What a shocker! People who fought under the banner of a non-racial future have stood up and told the entire world that they lied. They are not fit to lead and certainly not fit to make moral or ethical pronouncements. Zuma has begun by confirming that those irrational fears about him may indeed be well founded.
I would also like to know how they ascertained the race of the people they kicked out. Did they perform visual tests, DNA testing, fingernail inspections? What an absolute slap in the face for our democracy and all of those who are trying hard to make it work. I am outraged!
I don’t understand the rationale of this commotion given the nature of South African realities. These kinds of forums are not strange in any way however the nature of outcry emanating from this makes me to wonder about the quality of my vision lately hence I am failing to see farther than Trapido and his group. I think they are making a mountain out of mole hill. I understand that at times we have got things wrong like Escom matter(which is currently undercontrol), the abuse of BEE( even though the BEE is noble vehicle), crime but we need not to allow these kinds of shortcomings to distort us from a seeing a bigger picture that of transformed New South Africa. Media and press is not a holy cow to the noble transformation agenda of this progressive country.
In SA we have these kinds of platforms like ABASA, ABSIP, the moribund Native Club and others so far I have never a heard of public outcry to this extent about their existence and purpose. It is a common knowledge that Black people have unique challenges that were and are purely targeted to them as specific group.
To the extent of addressing problems on hand there is nothing fundamentally wrong in having such forums.
These forums are only meant to drive noble transformational imperatives. Certain things can be best be driven by those that feel it; who feels it knows it.
To the best of my understanding Media and press remains greatly untransformed and there is a case to have media transformation charts in place just like in financial services, mining and other progressive industries.
In conclusion there is no need to panic and to prophesy doom for this beautiful country, you can burn your passports my friends and drink beer under the African trees all is well. This country belongs to all those that live and work in it and key to that is the transformation to be undertaken inside out.
“If they are to provide a safeguard against political abuse and report on the moral well-being of this country, then I have a number of problems.”
Last time I heard, journo’s are (story)writers, no specific education required; to report the stories, and by writing ‘just’ the stories, we, the people (or they the people, depending on your specific view of me & your world) will react/respond to the “facts” as alleged by the journo’s.
Hence, WE DO NOT tolerate “political abuse” IF WE BUY THE JOURNO’S ‘FLAGRANTE’ NARRATIVE, that is.
And screw the journo’s who wish to comment on the “moral well being of the country”. Supposedly that used to be the job of the clergy et al. Too many empty platitudes & sounding like some or other moral majority here. Screw the moral majority as well. What happened to freedom to choose?
Let’not set the poor journo’s up as holier than (*^(*&^ just to knock them off their pedestal again. Journo’s just write, and very poorly most of the time.
The essence of the defence of “democracy” has to be centred in OUR RESPONSE to the different stories we assimilate into a point of view. That’s what is supposedly “holy”.
The responsibility lies with US. To read them all (if we can stomach it) and to believe not one. And then to make up our own minds and to respond like “friends, Romans, countrymen.”
“Unlike the author, I have no problem with the actions of these journalists. They are people who had the courage to act in accordance the natural order of things. They have eventually realized that birds of a feather flock together, that multiculturalism is an absurd, outdated fantasy, and have had the honesty to state this in public.
We are therefore making great progress in South Africa. These journalists are pioneers in the black community, being among the first to herald the death of multiculturalism” - so true, many of those who’ve bought into this rainbow nation claptrap are becoming more disillusioned by the day.
Amongst the posts above, Sipho hit the nail on the head. The issue is not particularly the existance of a black journo forum, but rather the exclusion of white journo’s to cover it. One does not have to be a nominee to cover the oscars I can’t understand why whites were not allowed to report on the event. Fair enough that they may not be invited to speak…….
It’s encouraging to see that a lot of black journalists walked out in solidarity, due to their principles, and these people should be praised as true South Africans. The comments from black Saffa’s on this site also demonstrate that this is a far cry from ‘blacks being against us’. It’s a matter of occupying the high moral ground, and I am happy that at least on this ground the rainbow nation lives. It’s a pity we can’t get more of these people up here! Not all Africans are populists sucked in by Zuma’s wild promises. As always……… Viva Madiba!
Traps, brother man. You are spot on. The moral high ground is taken away from these ‘journalists’ who were able to throw their brethren out of this gathering for sure. They have disgraced themselves. The bastards are tainted now, no doubt.
The reasons for having a forum for black journalists could very well exist if there is still discrimination and other such ‘issues’ in the newsroom.
But here is a thought. Isn’t the whole point of complaining to be HEARD by the person who is inflicting the wrong upon you? In other words, you invite the White editors in but vent away under the ‘protection’ of speaking as a member of the forum and not in your individual capacity?
Isn’t the point of communication to be heard by the other side? So how do you accomplish that when you exclude the very people you want to complain to? Funny that ‘journalists’ don’t get that; they are supposed to be in the communication business.
First of all, was JZ invite to discuss issues pertaining to general South Africans OR issues pertaining to black journalists alone.
If white journos were barred from a public discussion, then I would understand the brouhaha.
But if the briefing was meant to be a private and introspective session for black journalists, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong.
We should in fact condemn the nut heads who tried to gatecrash the meeting knowing very well that they had no interest in being there.
Just recently Irvin Khoza rightfully warned a black reporter to stop behaving like a kaffir. Not long ago Sandile Memela wrote an article lamenting the lack of black thought leaders.
These incidents alone point to the need for for black journalists to engage among themselves and try to understand the context within which they had at times being criticized.
Shame. The ones I really feel sorry for are the white “gliberals” who always take it upon themselves to stand up for blacks, and then stamp their little feet when it turns out the world isn’t actually as they’d like it to be. These patronising pricks need to come to grips with the real world and accept reality. Not everybody, black or white, lives in Lululand. And your politically-correct viewpoints on everything don’t automatically mark you as having a huge intellect. If somebody wants to start a blaccks or whites only association that’s fine by me. I don’t give a shit. That doesn’t mean I’m dumb - it means I have an opinion of my own, which you lot hate.
So, what’s new? The legacy of the Nats will continue for generations.
But you guys are on the wrong track with this ‘racism’ stuff - racism is, in these guys’ opinion, something ‘whites’ do to ‘blacks’ and, well, it CAN’T go the other way…
Do you not remember what happened in Rwanda in 1994? Yes, the Tutsis arrived long after the Hutus, yes they as a minority ruled over the majority Hutus for a period in history. Does this mean that every Tutsi child, born in Rwanda, knowing no other home, should be forced to leave?
I think you must be a very cold hearted person.
If you are so selfish that you can’t share and can’t get along with anybody who is a little different to you, perhaps you should be the one to leave.
Yes, indeed encouraging to see that a lot of black people have come out against what is blatant racism. It would of course be a hypocritical minority that try to defend this racist behaviour — thereby justifying the apartheid past and denying the harm done thereby to many black people.
So — whites are the greatest racist, what utter hogwash….because blacks cannot hide their racist tendencies any longer, they resort to the next best, “our racism is not as great as that of whites”…..in time brother it will be, and is already beginning to exceed the atrocius nature of white racism. sad to say that already black on black racism and violence has already seen many more casualties in a far shorter time!
@Anton
I don’t want to go back to living in a @#$%^% white neighbourhood
@Thandeka Ruth Ngwane
I am a white person who regularly attends African rituals as there is nothing which excludes white people from being Africans
@Nik
Maybe it’s you - I don’t generally get any of that attitude except on the rare occasion I do have to deal with a racist black person - and having grown up under the old regime - I have never had any difficulty in forgiving them
@John
I do NOT feel most comfortable when I’m surrounded by white people with all other skin colours grovelling on the edges thanks a lot!!
@Traps
“Until
The philosophy
That holds one race superior
And another inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned . . .” BM
Hahe people. People have always organised according to their Nationalities and clans and they have always planned our oppression as ‘cliques’. You have ‘THE JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES’-the ones who liked kicking JQ around, the World jewish Congress, AFRIKANER KULTUURBOND, DIETSE FEDERASIE, BOERE VRYHEIDSBEWEGING (BVB) (Boer Freedom Movement), AFRIKANER VOLKSFRONT (AVF)
,AFRIKANER EENHEIDS BEWEGING.Muslim Students Association, Muslim Youth Movement
People have always used Tribes, Nation, Language and Colour to organise movements, be they SOCIAL
@Koert I find it interesting that you immediately condemn the international community as being to guilt ridden to pose sanctions on SA. I would say that it would be in the power of all South Africans to boycott all media and products advertised in such media if a journalist in their employ attended this meeting and was not asked to leave his place of employ. I think you will find that if this happened you might just squeeze the true heart of the business community into action. Boycott the racists!
How delightfully ironic that the people who are truly happy about all of this are the type of repulsive troglodytes who think that Verwoerd was a great man.
I agree with much of what you say Michael, but the problem of apartheid’s legacy cannot be redressed by racism.
I am interested to know why you think racism in sport is unacceptable, but racism is acceptable in business?
For the hope of the country, can we all agree that racism is wrong? Therefore BJF excluding white reporters because they are white (as opposed, for example, to excluding them becuase they were not members) is racist and should be illegal, but of course, in South Africa it is not….
@sipho 5.24: Thank God for your views. Are you running for President yet?
I don’t much like the idea of exclusive “clubs” and I think racial discrimination is wrong, so the idea of a forum for black journalists holding a private audience with JZ is somewhat distasteful to me. Having said that, however, I think they were entitled to do so-freedom of association. If, however, the intention was to invite all journalists and then to deliberately exclude white journalists, to make a point, that was nasty, and may have been deliberately orchestrated with the intention of gaining publicity and cause public reaction. I don’t think people should overreact. I think that journalists should in fact do more reporting on issues that affect the most marginalized in society, who are mostly black people. Probably, more black journalists than white journalists are in touch with these issues, but not exclusively so. I believe what most people want for south Africa is a society where human beings are equal in value. Journalists can help us see what is wrong with our society. I hope that this is what it is all about. I hope that this forum is not just a cosy club for getting close to the political “elites” and currying favours. To whites that seem very concerned, I would say, put things in some perspective, this is not something new. No, this does not “prove” that racial segregation and apartheid policies are justifiable. That’s just insane. Off course we should worry if the forum for black journalists were actively promoting racial discrimination, hate speech, and such like. There is no indication of this at this point. (I am now signing off to form a “blog” to which only “blondes” may join. A colour photo showing the blonde hair must accompany each application).
Zuma is a publicity seeking and scheming politician like many other. Much of the mythical qualities he is gifted with by the media and his supporters are nothing but just that, a myth. His views in the dock, the Mike Tyson fiasco. In fact his decision to appease and explain himself to the neo-cons and the world before explaining himself even his lack of decorum in competing with Government as the communicator of South African policy when we have a Head of State, diplomatic and government machinery to do so show the selfish nature of the man.
Can the man simply tell us what he stands for? Government by Luthuli House consensus on every decision.
Even though President Mandela fought a good fight for this country and the once revered ANC, he’ll probably die with a broken heart.
A man of integrity, and love that knows no bounds for his felow men, is probably prayig his heart out for the unity within the ANC. I do not kow what actually went wrong, but my gut tells me, the ANC got mixed up with self-serving, heartless, power hungry, unpatriotic and unfaithful beings. Their power hunger is driven by greed and stautus with NO MASSES’ INTERESTS AT HEART.
I, for one, once had reverence, for the ANC and what it stood for. Wait, let me correct myself, I still respect what Mr. Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani, and all the other heros living or passed on stood for- to put it simply feedom and democracy for all. What I am seeing within ANC these days, is a group of non-leaders who put their interest above those of the lay people, who utterly saying: ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE. In my book, their actions,conspiracies, are no different from the apartheid regime. Revenge, in any kind of way does not settle a score. The FBJ can justify their actions all they want, if the forum was a clean and simple get together for journalists of color, shouldn’t that be a good thing for the world to see, especially when white journalists are allowed to ‘crash the party’. If Zuma has nothing to hide, why weren’t the public(white journos) allowed entry. I SMELL FOUL and I don’t care what everyone thinks. My theory is:If you’re guilty about something, you’re going to get so PARANOID that you would do anything, even drive away the harmless people around you. What was Zuma doing adddressing a bunch of journalists behind closed doors. If he’s such a poor man’s champion, why all the secrecy.
Makes me wonder what he stands for, when he said he didn’t see anything wrong with white journalists turned away.
PEOPLE DON’T YOU SEE A DANGER IN THIS. SANCTIONS, SANCTIONS, SANCTIONS! AGAIN AND AGAIN. HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF- IS AWATING SOUTH AFRICA. Zuma is bad news. Why can’t he be man enough to stand up and fight a good fight for his innocence, instead of using other people’s intellect to forge a good statement on the newspapers?
I wonder what kind of perks/bribes(his specialty) has he promised these ethnic journalist?
Why would my comments be so hurtful to you?
Yes I remember Rwanda, it was very difficult to explain to my children why people would do that to each other. Please do not make assumptions about me, you do not know me and none of my comments or statements where made to anyone in particular. I was simply stating my beliefs.
Sarah you are right. I just realised it is the silver lining from this storm cloud. I’ve always been too self conscious of being a white person while dissing racism. One sounds too much like you’re squealing now that you are on the receiving end. But through these responses we can easily see who the perpetrators of racism are because they are cheering for it even while being discriminated against.
In the days of the old regime we used to call them ROWSA - they are still deserving of that acronym.
There’s a perception out there by some black people that whites cannot report fairly on issues surrounding JZ or black African people in general. All they want to do is dig up more dirt to prove that he will not be a fitting leader. As far as I’m concerned this has already been proved and unfortunately further negative reports will never be enough to change the hearts and mind of those who support him. Those who leap to the defense of their ‘brothers’ regardless of their actions are acting out on a personal level. An insult to one is an insult to all. This is plain silly but the divisions created by Apartheid run deep and fairer skinned Africans should try and understand the extent of anger and hurt that it has caused. Although we cannot go on apologizing for Apartheid forever we need to understand where the anger is coming from and try to solve the problem. I find some of the racist comments expressed here from both sides tiresome and depressing. These people are the problem and they all should leave.
South Africans have worked very hard to be where they are today. A young democracy at that, that still needs to be natured.It has taken a lot of emotional and spiritual upheaval and healing for some of us to reach some kind of maturity in matters of race and subjugation of a certain segment of mankind. It is amazing that leaders like Mandela taught us how to behave torwards our fellow men and that he did without flinching and he will be remembered for that. Now we are reversing these gains.
It is one thing to tell and conscientise people about the historical reality of exploitation of the African people it is another one to get consumed by it such that one loses sense of the vision of the country: Where South Africans want to be in twenty / fifty years time. Leaders who get swayed by the wind and not show the way, leading from the front may end up destroying the vision that the country had.
There is one thing South Africans particularly of African descent must bare in mind: God brought us together with people of caucasian descent for a reason regardless of the very very painful past. The successes that South Africa has enjoyed when we are united are there for all to see.
Can somebody explain to me why there is Zuma bashing in both the article and the comments. Can at the same time all Journalists who belong to who belong to racists bodies such as the AWB etc be fired/dismissed and should not be allowed to continue in this profession.
[…] Michael Trapido “Racists are the last people who should be judging the morality of others. The conduct of these journalists was reprehensible and, in my opinion, they have waived the right to report on anything political. In order to assist those who did not arrange the function or its racist composition, I would merely ask whether they walked out once they had learned of its racist nature. […]
[…] supportive of “women’s networks”, because I think that in the same way that the too-hot-to-touch Black Journalists issue is divisive; groups that are delineated by that that we can’t change like race, age or […]
why does it hurt so much wen the tables are turned around, its a good thing that blacks are able to talk about whites without them being in hiding. white time is over here in south africa
forget about zuma he is a good man, just becoz he is black they bitch about it. wat about the white boy who just randomly fired. dont they watch the news or they only watch it when black people are being interogated
[…] details surrounding the Forum for Black Journalists (FBJ) and Radio 702’s Katy Katapodis showdown have been rehashed in the media ad nauseam and while […]
Traps
Human behavior is hard to change but like i said before South African whites should be aplauded for the way they’re changing. One can witness this in malls, public gathering,work places to name but a few. Thier service in most of thier business is excellent than some of the rude blacks that we encounter in supermakets and shops. They look at the colour of your skin if you appear a little bit dark they think you are a foreigner and then they start talking in Sipedi or Setswana in a degrading manner. I would say whites in South Africa have changed more than blacks. Top among is Mr. Pride especially Mr Pride in Parkmeadows and a certain shop that sales lady’s clothes in Eastgate, they can scoop the price of the most rude, disrespectiful people in South Africa. They are a dent in this lovely and beautiful country.
I feel sorry for these black and whites who are trying they’re best to unite this country I wish those who are still lagging behind should start by emulating the good work done by the good citizens of this country note leaving behind the White Rhodesians and these black Journalist.There are an eyesore
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I can’t understand why whites were not allowed to report on the event. Fair enough that they may not be invited to speak…….
The next steps will be clubs where no Indians and coloureds are allowed as they are not pure black. Perhaps they will install ethnicity DNA interrogation machines at the door.
You are right Trap this is a disgrace.
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