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.
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57 Responses to “Zuma appointing Mulder should be warmly welcomed”
I fully agree. The signs and actions of the ANC are surprisingly positive. Backstabbing and verbal abuse are not warranted.
I can’t know JZ’s primary motives but it does seem a little bizzare that conservative Afrikaaners are made to feel more welcome in South Africa these days than liberal whiteys of English origin.
You can bet your last ront that if the FF had the same backing the DA has, this appointment would never have taken place.
Mulder’s appointment is a complete violation of the way I expect opposition politics to operate, but time will tell
I agree totally, Michael.
My main sigh of relief is for the farmers having a voice that WILL be heard - at very long last.
My party - DA - do not fight on their behalf.
(I am very upset with Zille for her stupid strategy to date.
1 step forward and 10 backwards for 2014 ! She is DA’s own worst enemy (and her supporters) at present.)
Mulder has always put his money where his mouth is - fights for the rights of those disenfranchised.
He will NOT be a rubber stamp to ANC policy.
He will have credibility to reason and logic with farmers.
Farmers are the food suppliers to our stomachs.
They should be treated with the respect they deserve and need to EXPRESS their anxieties, frustrations and anger.
I commend Zuma for this gesture that I call “Madiba-like.)
He will need to control MK who now make threats to Zille and WP ungovernable. Consequence of her bad decisions to date. ”
This was not my mandate with my vote.
Old, female, paleface on May 13th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Trapes you say “On site I have always stressed that apartheid was a “white thing” as opposed to an Afrikaner-only issue.”
I’ve always said the same to people and for some reason, the so called Liberals believe that they were never a part of it. Whey they did benefit from it and to a certain extent didn’t want it to end.
My guess is the Land Redistribution part is where people are going to disagree with you. Remember a lot of white people are definitely not pro land redistribution, AA and BEE?(Lyndall Something comes to mind.)
I think that where Mulder and Zuma share common ground is that they both come from conservative patriarchial value systems where tradition and establishment are respected. History is in fact repeating itself as traditional black African and traditional white Afrikaner interests find their own special way of paving a way forward together. Zille obviously doesn’t fit this mould at all. She’s doing her thing, her way, with expectations of SA being a modern democracy. On the latest Zille issue, she’s been quoted out of context. Shame on the media for not emphasising how she came to say what she said about his wives etc. It was hardly a radical comment in the face of the threats the ANC have been giving her in the WCape. Plus, all this business about her being called a racist … I’ve never heard or read anything racist in her words. I fear SA is a far more backward place than the democracy it is on paper. Hence the Mulder arrangement might be workable. That said, what works is right!
First Traps, if I may say, apartheid was not just a white thing… so many whites here and internationally struggled, demonstrated, risked, for one man (woman) one vote in South Africa. Who knows, in numbers we may have outnumbered the black Africans. I was preent then (internationally)and I remember it well. In South Africa I joined the ANC for Madiba.
And yes, Mulder is an excellent choice. I presently work (voluntarily) in food security, and if I may say, successfully, and the appointment of Mulder, and the election of Zille (living and making appropriate effort in the Western Cape as I do) this is great news.
To simplify the maths even more - 40,000 farms and 40 million people would mean that every farm must feed 4,000 people. Except that our farms are rapidly being converted into golf courses, game parks and development land (all with BEE partners of course), and we have more that 40 million people. It is hard to see how “land redistribution” will make the problem better.
“Land redistribution has to be dealt with urgently because 15 years post-apartheid the black community”: The word “urgently” is cause for concern, I am of the view that lets create a room for more debate on this issue, the snail’s pace at which Land Redistribution is moving is quite correct for two reasons: 1)Enables us to communicate the critical elements overlooked during the draft of the bill, and 2) Allow blacks to acquire skills to be able to productively utilized the land in their possession.
Lets debate Land Redistribution further, factors like sharing the land (disregarding total ownership) and/or receiving a certain percentage of benefits (profit made from the land) whilst having NO rights over the land!
“Urgent” might just introduce invincible Zimbabwe, remember abolishing “Willing seller,willing buyer” policy? I am just scared thinking about it?
Lets remain hopeful amidst all the developments,after all where-else is HOME other than here,Mzansi?
Thanks to Dr Mulder for accepting the post, we can only say thanks but the implications may just go beyond being Deputy Minister if the stakeholders involved use this as PR for “renewal” of the 1994 contract!
“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”.
This will be the big test for both parties. Are both prepared to listen and work constructively together. Judging by the ANC rhetoric over the Western Cape (must implement national policies and not a bantustan rhetoric), are they expecting Mulder to follow ANC policy?
Mulder will have to sell at least some government positions to his party - some might get a bit nervous when it seems like their independence and perspectives/interests are being ignored. Land reform does not have anything to do (at least not directly) with agriculture now that it has been moved from the portfolio.
However, his boss was regarded as reasonable and was respected amongst the farming community in the NC, which indicates that the relationship might be good.
Good idea. Lets see if both parties are willing to make it work. It cetainly doesn’t look like the ANC/DA is willing to make things work in the WC - which might/or might not be indicative of the democratic principles of both parties.
Spot on Traps. I think JZ is playing the game like a real sportsman. My misgivings about him are starting to disappear. He really seem to be a man in office for and by the people, down to earth and streetwise.
My take is that you are a bit naive, as part of cabinet he will have to toe the Party line which looks likely to be set by Blade and his Comrades, just ask Barbara Hogan for confirmation.
Bush the 2nd’s first act on being confirmed was to hold a meeting with the Black organisation NAACP. This “clever” political act got him no where as it was pure politics.
Brent - prefers on the ground action to slick words and smart deeds, beware “the tyranny of the articulate.”
Time will tell as to what benefit putting Mulder in as a deputy minister will bring to the country as a whole and the farmer in particular. Is it not merely a matter of the ANC attempting to buy parliamentary votes so that they can put legislation in place that will undermine what independance the provincial governments have? As for Lyndall and so many others’ negative comments about Zille; please, she is the victim here, if you are a DA supporter where is your support for Zille. This latest blow up about what she said about Zuma must be seen in context. It is only the ANC sychophants who are blowing this up (with total guttersnipe and disjointed slander). I also believe that it is very disingenious in the way the media have reported this matter. The Sowetan for example quoted Zille as if she had made a statement to their publication whereas it was in a letter to the Argus and their report is not proparly contextualised (I suspect intentionally) and created a storm. The ANC is in no position to point fingers at Zille they chose Zuma, their fault and these are the consequences, it will not stop here. The ANC needs to retain what little sense of democracy they have and bring their supporters under control. After all it goes like this; What Zille said about Zuma - True. What the ANCYL and others said about Zille - Lie. Who should be indignant? Critisism of Mulders appointment are valid - Fact.
Putting Mulder up there was indeed a stroke of genius!
As one of those much hated and maligned “Afrikaners, I think this is a great thing. The quintessential “Afrikaner” values of language and land will now have a voice in government in a ministry that is close to the heart of the Afrikaner, and with Mulder as “mediator” between govt and the farmer in land-redistribution, we have taken a big step towards not doing a Zim-style land-grab.
I haven’t seen this coming. In my wildest dreams I could not picture a FF+ man as a deputy minister. I did not support him because of various reasons, but I do respect him, and I do recognise the role that he plays in SA politics – despite the likes of Siphiwo Squared who thinks he is irrelevant. But to take this man, who is probably as diametrically opposed to the ANC as you can get, and put him in a position where his voice will be heard and where it is relative to his own culture and people, is the masterstroke of reconciliation, and a gateway to logical and practical land reform that this country needed!
I’m not a Zuma fan, but this was a darn good move!
I for one have been mightily impressed by our new commander in chief’s first week in charge. Great signs. From the way he spoke of former President Mbeki to his first address of Parliament, he seems to have been smoking on the Peace Pipe heavily since he was elected! So let us all join him in taking a few drags from that same pipe!!!!!!.
I am a staunch ANC supporter but and I fully support Mulder’s appointment. I’ve listened to Mulder on several occassions and it is clear that he knows agriculture very well. I am copnvinced he will make a contribution to this portfolio!
I agree with Michael’s sentiments, although I do not think that JZ’s motives are only noble. Obviously this move is also an effort to steal some support and goodwill away from the DA.
I have to take issue with his MT’s interchangeable use of Afrikaans people and Afrikaners. There is a huge sector of our population that is Afrikaans speaking, but not Afrikaners. I do not imply that either are exclusive, but hopefully freedom of association does exist in SA
Michael, As much as I also see the appointment of Dr. Mulder in a positive note, just like the appointment of any individual who is passionate and skilled in the activities of the ministry she/he’s appointed to. I however have a problem with your assertion 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” In your view, this section of the community, in particular and the so called “white” community in general deserve continued signals from the ruling elite that seek to assure them that they are “greatly valued by the country and that their future lies in South Africa”
This is notwithstanding the concessions that were made (and that continue to haunt us) during the negotiations pre-1994, amongst others, the democratic constitution that protect the injustices of the past: Apartheid land usurpation being the primary one, protected through the property clause of our constitution.
I am saying that these concessions continue to haunt us because currently, we have a situation where roughly 45000 “white” farmers own more that 85% of the arable land in this country – a situation that can sustain itself only in this country, partly due to the neo-colonially indoctrinated ruling elite.
If Mulder’s skilled and passionate about his job, then I welcome his appointment.
Hopeful - Anything but about Mulder.
He is a thorn in the side of ANC and I would have voted FF+.. except that they are partisan for Afrikaners and too conservative for my comfort.
Agriculture is in dire need of that partisanship to enable dialogue with farmers. It is only with “trust” on both sides that land reform will flow.
Farm workers grievances can be addressed.
We will give Zuma a chance to prove his sincerity - please do the same for Mulder. (His father was a big thorn in my side for too many years.
His son is more enlightened and less verkramp. I have followed his utterances.)
FF+ are every ready to start Court proceedings to prevent an ANC policy.
Do you recall IEC and overseas voters ?
Individuals with problems go to FF+
Old, female, paleface on May 14th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Lyndall -
“SA only has about 40,000 farms.”
Good point and may I add that the number is reducing DAILY.
I hope Mulder can reinstate Commando Patrols for protection, for the vulnerable farmers - especially the aged who are terribly tortured in the process before murdering them. Death is welcome for them.
About Zille - I was horrified last night when I flicked to SABCTV during ads on etv. It was truly menacing and spine chilling.
MKV commander slandered Helen as a WHORE and elaborated on why he thought so. I could not believe my hearing which is suspect anyway - so I watched TV2 and there it was - AGAIN ! MK on parade and a uniformed man mouthing threats and obscenities.
Is this called Free Speech ?
Are we going to have Vets running amok in SA ?
I pray that my forebodings were wrong and sheer speculation not extrapolation of our descent to Zim.
De Klerk did not want Zuma and now tells UK he will surprise us.
Yeah and I pray it is a good surprise only - can not wait.
Old, female, paleface on May 14th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
The words ‘Land redistribution’ are bandied around as though this is the only consideration. There seems to be a lack of understanding of the real issues around land and agriculture.
Currently in South Africa, and shamefully, 99% of the agricultural industry is owned, managed and controlled by whites. The issue is not just fair distribution of land and especially agricultural land, but it is the transformation of the entire agricultural industry.
If you look at you next meal, you will be eating food that is produced, fertilized, packed,transported & marketed by a white owned company.
This sector has not transformed and is extremely reluctant to transform. Further this sector is very hesitant to allow Black farmers in. We talk of a free market system, in this sector, free market system does not work. Access to markets for Black farmer is a major challenge.
The appointment of Mulder is strategic if the ANC wants to achieve its Polokwane resolutions.
I’m cautious over the motives of appointing Mulder as a deputy. I’m not deleting the cynical view that it is a ploy to divide and rule what the ANC sees as the “white” section of SA. So in essence by appointing Mulder JZ hopes that he’ll take the white Afrikaner vote from the DA and weaken them as far as he can.
JZ has already stated that Afikaner’s are the only truly South African section of the white population. Just part of the same strategy.
On land reform, applications closed in 1998. Obviously anybody who had been cleared off land would have fled their applications timeously between 1994 and 1998. WHy are there applications still outstanding? Prices have nothing to do with it. Stalling by the department is the problem area. After land reform is completed, then they are out of a job! Another thing to remeber is that most, something like 65% of SA’s land mass is marginal or semi-desert. If you take the famous 13% and add goverment (state, provincial, municipal etc) land, blacks own the majority of the land!!!!! What now???
Personally, I don’t care who owns the land, so as if I am ever in a position to own some, I’m not subjected to a pencil test to determine whether I can buy land because I’ll “Upset the demographics of land ownership”!
Careful of being a slave to demographics - look where the Germans ended up in 1945…
During the Mbeki years more rubbish was written about land than about anything else. Like with many of his policies Mbeki was saying one thing and doing another. The only reason that the land issue was not resolved is that Mbeki did not want to do so - he wanted a festering sore to keep the blacks hating whites and voting ANC.
Mulder and Agriforum DO know how to resolve it. I have heard them explain their solutions on the radio often. Mbeki’s government would not even acknowledge their submissions and recommendations - all eleven of them!
And the DA did not have a policy which was clearly explained to the electorate on this issue. I told them so myself before the elections.
Zuma’s cabinet is overrepresentative of whites and yet Africans are underrepresented. The ANC is being stupid in thinking that appointing someone who belongs to an openly racist party will make them (ANC) appeal to racist. Clearly, the appointment was advised by good intentions, Africans in thic country have always shown more willingness at nationbuilding than their white compatriots but I’m afraid the ANC is overdoing it this time.
One of the biggest threats, however, to South Africa’s stability, are the floods of illegal immigrants. They are draining resources and exarcebating the crime-problem.Both blacks and whites have shown concern over this issue but the government has done nothing.
Can someone explain to me the rationale behind spending BILLIONS each year deporting illegal immigrants who always come back with many of their friends and families- because the borders are not properly policed and there are no real consequences when it comes to breaking the law in this country. You might as well just tell them that you’re giving them a free ride home!
The ANC is being stupid in thinking that appointing someone who belongs to an openly racist party will make them (ANC) appeal to racists or change the minds of racists. Clearly, the appointment was advised by good intentions, Africans in thiS country have always shown more willingness at nationbuilding than their white compatriots but I’m afraid the ANC is overdoing it this time.
I agree with Mulder accepting of the appointment and I agree with the reasons that he was appointed. The problem I have is when I look at the agricultural production of farms it is already 30% less than it was. Now perhaps I’m naive but if we are to address the price of soaring food should we not be encouraging increases in the local production of it? I also believe that the government needs to get real and subsidize our farmers. This will encourage production and also ensure that we do not spend more dollars importing food from countries whose governments subsidize their farmers. How can we possibly expect people who have never farmed on a large scale to be able to run a farm without some sort of incentive to produce (negating risk in a positive way). The threat of taking the land away if they don’t produce is short sighted. We need good black farmers and good white farmers and for arguments sake lets refer to them as good South African farmers (feint) but they also need some price protection in order to produce more. And to the person who complained that our farms are being turned into golf courses and game ranch’s, well that’s what happens when you don’t address the fundamentals and farmers are able to make more money from other industries.
Liege -
I am guilty of being angry at Helen’s response which was NOT fully reported until days later. Sowetan fooled everyone.
I react quickly to the news.
However, I still say that SHE must stop reacting to comments and get on with her job - she loses credibility by ranting back at the ANCYL and MK. Then only, is she seen as the victim.
I voted DA so am entitled to criticise her actions that deviate from her manifesto.
I repeat the DA does not unduly concern itself with Farmers, never have.
FF+ has them as loyal voters and will hold him answerable for their situation.
How much he can change ANC policy, is what we have to wait and see.
FF+ has more at stake here to help farmers so heavily under siege. Mulder has the backing of his party.
The issue of farm land ownership is actually irrelevant though isn’t it? You are talking a small percentage of people in the country in 1 profession. What difference to the ‘masses’ will it make if they are all replaced by 40000 (to blindly quote a stat previously given) black farmers??
The real issue is to create decent employment for everybody in SA and enable them to afford a good home, as well as housing those who are not able to be employed.
Well, Mulder and his party’s treatment of their youth leader is reminiscent of the totalitarian past.
I stick to my previous point that Mulder accepting this appointment says more about his self-serving self than his ability to fight the rightful cause of Afrikaans people. But be that as it may; Zuma knowns that South Africa is facing a food production problem and re-distributed, formerly productive farmland lies wasted and barren. Hence Mulder’s appointment who carries favour with the white farming community (at least in provinces other than the Western Cape). So, it is pure mutual self-interest all disguised in a balmy cloud of reaching out, inclusiveness, etc, in my view at least.
BEE is theft from both black and white, land reform is an unmitigated disaster, and I don’t think this is going to change anytime soon
I dont know what it is but the anc(despite their many short-comings)seems to have perfected the art of seducing Afrikaner male politicians.Remember Van zyl slabbert & co’s escapades with the anc leaders in Zambia in mid-80’s?The (in)famous Mells Park House secret meeting over malt whiskey?And now the FF+ just gone weak at the knees?Im telling you guys,Van Schalkwyk is going to surprise many at the next anc national conference in 2012.
Appointing Dr Pieter Mulder to the post of deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries was a brilliant move by President Zuma, both in terms of the gesture to Afrikaners, and of the value that he will undoubtedly bring to the position.
This demonstration of statesmanship will, I imagine, have impressed international observers. And that can’t be a bad thing.
Oh throw a bone and whites have an orgasm of epic proportions. You lot remind me of those oh so positive people who say “ My wife and kids were hi- jacked and shot today”. “Lucky I was not with them.”
Mike - You hit the nail on the head despite the little bit of misinformation /ANC propaganda on the initial government of national unity.
You said it “land distribution” Mulder is the hand that will fire the gun. Already more than half of our farmers have ceased farming. Those left are the hard core never say die.
The government does not care a damn about whether they stay or not or that we have to import food as long as it is all politically expedient.
If history has taught nothing it is that when a black man says “Yes” he may likely really mean No.
When he says, “we the people” he means only Blacks.
Finally when he says come join me in reconciliation. He means come Kowtow before me and I will grant you reconciliation. His hand held out in friendship is always a couple of fingers short of his promise.
Afrikaner remember the last Zulu who made a promise of reconciliation.
Zuma’s ways are embedded into the history of Africa. You know it I know it.
Mulder’s walked smilingly to the scaffold and put the noose around the neck of the tiny Vryheidsfront. Just as what Kortbroek did with his NNP. Where are they now? Extinct.
Another false figure of the ANC. All land not zoned residential or commercial is zoned agricultural in SA - including the deserts and the gorges and the mountain slopes.
There are less than 40,000 productive commercial farms, a lot of them corporate owned and some listed on the stock exchange. Vast amounts of land have been bought by foreigners (and the ANC themselves) for converting from farmland to golf estates and developments, including state and parastatal land. Any attempt to change our property laws will see foreign investment disappear overnight, and bankrupt SA. In 15 years the ANC have never done an audit of state owned land (because the results might not have confirmed their racist propaganda), and meanwhile have sold most of it. State land is no longer “white owned” when the state is no longer white!
Plus hectares and hectares lie fallow in the almost deseted former homelands, where the only industry appears to be funeral parlours!
What skills does Mulder have? Or aren’t we allowed to ask? Pols have sort of exempted themselves from that little requirement, I guess.
On Godzille: The woman must be very confident she can govern as she erects obstacles for herself and lights fires on her own stoep (I know, I know, but she needn’t have reacted . .). Wish she’d shurrup and start work. We need a straight governance contest with both trying their level best.
Go, Zuma!!
You are omitting to mention that DA itself has stated emphatically that it wants nothing to do with what it calls co-option into the ANC government. You also ignoring the fact that recently some leaders of DA - for example Gibson and Botha - have been appointed as Diplomats by the same ANC government; and that some of the ministers in the cabinet are of English descent.
Phillipa -
“Zuma’s cabinet is overrepresentative of whites and yet Africans are underrepresented. ”
Do you live in SA?
Do you really fantasize that ANC elite will be content to be outnumbered by white faces ?
Hell no !
Maybe I live in Zim ,as I do not see many white faces other than in SACP amongst parliamentarians.
Old, female, paleface on May 15th, 2009 at 11:07 am
You really think so Phillipa??
After 1994 most whites really wanted to give the country a good go and help out where they could. They were wracked with guilt and offered help all over the place. Problem is, as soon as a white person offered to help or offered constructive critism they were branded racists and told to emigrate. That was certainly the position of the 10 Mbeki years. The goodwill and fuzzy feeling we all had under Mandela was thrown away by Mbeki.
Can you blame white South African’s for feeling the ANC does not really want or like them and why Zuma’s overtures were greeted with scepticism? White people are slowly beginning to feel like Jews in Nazi Germany.
Stating that: “Africans in thiS country have always shown more willingness at nationbuilding than their white compatriots but I’m afraid the ANC is overdoing it this time.”(sic) is ignorant of the very grey reality outside your door.
“If history has taught nothing it is that when a black man says “Yes” he may likely really mean No.”
Hugh Robinson you sound so racist and petty. I feel sorry that your idol Verwoerd is dead but really, get over it. Apartheid laws is not going to be re-enacted. Africans will uplift Africa and the whites who want to leave should bloody well leave! Pity many won’t make it in the West, there’s too much competition and, unlike in South Africa, a white skin does not gurantee you priviledge in most North American and European countries. Many whites only threaten to leave but why are 4 million of them still here? Because they know that it’s tough out there. And remember, the white farmers STOLE the land from Africans over 3-and-a-half centuries ago. They must be grateful that they are being PAID to return a small protion of what was stolen. Otherwwise, they should give it back for free.
Lyndall -
I leave you to fight the good fight - as I am worn out.
I am compelled to stop reading due to a raging, constant migraine from sheer anger.
My political frenzy has my blood pressure at stroke level diastolic 110. I have no alternative.
I have enjoyed your comments immensely and you remind me of Helen, facing up to all the males.
I have just read comments on the Times, now invaded by ANCYL - and my anger is pointless - we are losing the war not only the battles.
I will have to break my addiction to politics and bid all my detractors, demeaners and insulters goodbye.
You can say “good riddance.” That is okay, maybe I deserve it, with all my forecasts of doom ahead.
Which I, like you, hope was just a pessimism.
Only “God knows” as Mbeki said - how I will occupy my mind, after a lifetime of fighting the odds against impervious damn politicians.
Old, female, paleface on May 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Besides his ethnicity, Mulder represents an elite network which lingers on from its days of political ascendance. Zuma’s move is thus alliance-building between new and old elites.
I belive the DA is right to remain wholly independent from the government - this is how the opposition operate in a helathy democracy.
As for DA members being appointed diplomats by the ANC and being of English descent - well nobody’s perfect? Really not sure what you are taking issue with here…
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.
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.
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!
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I fully agree. The signs and actions of the ANC are surprisingly positive. Backstabbing and verbal abuse are not warranted.
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