There are two compelling reasons why I was thrilled to see President Jacob Zuma confirming that Dr Pieter Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus, was being given the post of deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
First and foremost is that it tells us that the president — and by extension the government and ruling party — is keen to send a signal to the Afrikaans community, that they are greatly valued by the country and that their future lies in South Africa.
This is the second time that this has been done, the first being in terms of the negotiated agreement which afforded former president FW de Klerk the deputy presidency under former president Nelson Mandela, and here where the ANC, in terms of an unsolicited act, sought to not only express their appreciation of that community but also the desire, that they consider themselves an integral part of the planning for the country’s future.
In terms of numbers the FF Plus does not seem, by any stretch of the imagination, to represent the majority of today’s modern Afrikaans community. Their results at this years election are clear proof that if anything they would have battled to form the opposition even during apartheid. That must not, however, detract from the fact that the president felt compelled to lean over to the right to ensure that the Afrikaans community be made aware of the high regard which the government has for them.
If Zuma is adamant that the more conservative Afrikaners be made to feel part of the new South Africa then how much more so the majority who are verlig and who have adapted to the new multiracial country like a duck to water?
Moreover and in light of the fact that this community bore the brunt of the criticism in respect of apartheid, it is a much welcome sign that the “blame game” is finally being replaced by a new direction which seeks active participation in government by conservative Afrikaners.
On site I have always stressed that apartheid was a “white thing” as opposed to an Afrikaner-only issue. Hopefully, and if the country can build upon this new path, sooner rather than later this will no longer be an issue that concerns anybody.
Accordingly the Democratic Alliance is not only being cynical in taking issue with this appointment but certain of their members seem to have forgotten the legacy that this community carried from apartheid. Attempting to deny them Zuma’s hand of friendship — which carries with it the majority of the people of this country and which Mulder’s appointment seeks to confirm — in the name of party politics, is what constitutes the real betrayal in this case.
Secondly one of the most critical issues facing the country and indeed the Afrikaans community is the issue of land. During the Zuma presidency land redistribution as well as the plight of farmers in general are likely to become, among others, items requiring top priority. Accordingly, in practical terms, there can be no doubting that Mulder will and should be able to play a significant role in the cabinet in respect thereof.
Land redistribution has to be dealt with urgently because 15 years post-apartheid the black community has not, in real terms, even begun to see ownership that represents the demographics of this country. If we have a repeat of the same pace as we’ve seen in the past 15 years then I will be asking questions of the government.
Therefore it is important to this exercise that a very important stakeholder in this exercise be represented at the highest levels of government.
In order to achieve the goal of effective land redistribution without making the same mistakes as Zimbabwe it is important that the Afrikaans community, and particularly the farmers, be able to add their guidance and experience to that of the government’s appointed officials.
The fact that Mulder will also be able to speak to cabinet colleagues about other issues of concern to this community is an added bonus.
Nothing that I have read or seen requires the FF Plus to forfeit its independence or abandon the right to challenge government while affording in return for this appointment. As such they will continue to oppose the government on issues which they believe are not in the best interests of their voters.
Why then is Mulder’s acceptance of the cabinet post a betrayal?
In truth it is actually one of the most promising steps taken by the government and the conservative Afrikaans community to start finding common ground and will, hopefully, go a long way towards the day where we all consider ourselves simply South Africans.
See it in that light and build on it.
Old, female, paleface
Helen has WON! That is WHY they are all throwing their toys out of the cot like children!
This fight is MUCH easier than the fight she had to keep Cape Town – and they did everything to unseat her there as well.
She has deliberately provoked them – and exposed them for the sexist racists that they are.
Cool down. From now will be easier. But the ANC will provoke service delivery protests in the townships until 2011. The DA has been expecting it. They are prepared.
Have some pity. The ordinary people have been brainwashed with lies.
And Zuma is just a puppet. There are some good brains in the ANC. Let us see how they do with the rest of the country.
And don’t blame it ALL on Mbeki. Mandela WAS president!
I also comment on The Times – as letpeoplespeak. On both The Times and TL – people are communicating more, and may not have changed opinions, but are more tolerant of opposition viewpoints.
Sjoe, some good old racism from the usual Philipa and Hugh, hang your heads in shame.
Ismail, I call you on your 99% – give us a reference.
I would like to be that Mulder was appointed to help in sorting the land issue out. As Lyndall says, Mbeki copied his pal Mugabe by making land a huge issue. It isn’t. SA needs its neighbours to be stable (no inflow into an already overflowing pool of the jobless) and an economy that will grow and generate jobs.
Land has nothing to contribute except we should try not to lose the jobs that it provides. Appropriate education and training (SETA’s are a corrupt cesspool), fill government posts with competent people and look for opportunity. For example, many people whine that aid to Africa is useless. Let SA take a lead in managing approprite aid. This will provide work for SA and stability for the countries being aided then their people won’t flood SA.
Pretty nearly only one African country tackled its land issue intelligently – Tanzania – and they were SOCIALIST not communist! They evicted almost the whole rural population from their traditional villages and moved them into modern workable village co-operatives.
@Lyndall (last comment): Interestingly Tanzania differs from its neighbours in that under German rule, the traditional ruler system was totally demolished, and the British were unable to put it together again before independence.
Phillipa Lipinsky on May 15th, 2009 at 12:39 pm.
Sorry Phillipa – You have to know your AFRICAN history before you call someone a Racist. How do you know I am white? Does the name give it away or are you guessing? Did you know that Robinson is a well known US Black slave Surname?
If you have treated people so badly that you are overcome with guilt, do not make it mine or the White’s problem. If you can go back 300 years how about 1900 years.
Start with some research, say the Arabic African writings of 100AD then work your way through African history reading Livingston, Samuel Baker, Fredrick Forsyth, Ffiona Campbell and many others. How about a nice book called War Junkie?
How about the Local pogrom of the 1800′s when the Xhosa, Pondo, and other tribes were saved from extinction by the white settlers. Do some reading on the revered Vilakaszi.
@Hugh: “Did you know that Robinson is a well known US Black slave Surname?”
That is so funny. Just because the current US first lady’s last name is Robinson doesn’t mean that only blacks have that surname. I know that you are white and NOT American, you don’t even have to deny it.
It’s funny you are refering to the Arab slave trade in Africa and Pondoland. You are merely echoing Lyndall Beddy. You don’t even sound like you have read any of those books which you are recommending. My advice: stop being racist, get a little education and stop pining after Apartheid (it will never return). Go to the gym, stay healthy and grudge-free and you will most certainly elongate your life.
Warm regards,
phillipa
Phillipa
What slave trade in Pondoland?
And I echo Hugh – you should read some books and watch some TV (like the History Channel).
I have a friend who grew up in communist Bulgeria, like you in communist Poland – she had very similar prejudices to yours, but the difference is she was open to new ideas.
When she was about 8 years old the teacher told them that in the “capitalist west” poor people could not go to hospitals and died on the street. A little boy piped up and told the teacher that was not true – he was the son of the recently returned Bulgerian Ambassador to Paris. The child was not in school the next day – and disappeared for months!