Whites in comfort zone

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Apache

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Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the term in 1994 to celebrate post-apartheid South Africa but 18 years on, the "rainbow nation" is battling entrenched racial, social and economic divisions.

Observers argue that while the much-emulated 1996-2001 Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by the Nobel Peace prize laureate focused on the abuses of white minority rule, social issues were being overlooked.

The bitter realities sugarcoated by the euphoria of the early years of Nelson Mandela's presidency are resurfacing to haunt South African society and spurring a bout of intense soul-searching.

After the end of apartheid, "the focus was on building the country... and the people were left behind," Futhi Mtoba, the black chairperson of Business Unity South Africa, said at a social cohesion forum held last month.

"Now is the time to begin to understand each other and work on what divides us and try to heal those divisions and pull each other up," she said.

A melting pot of diverse cultures, post-apartheid South Africa recognises 11 official languages. Besides the black majority, it is home to the descendents of British, Dutch and French settlers, as well as large Asian communities.

But racial tensions remain evident and a general lack of social cohesion is threatening the continent's political and economic powerhouse, delegates said at the forum held late last month, the first of its kind.

Some accuse the whites of failing to give up any of their privileges and extend the hand of reconciliation to blacks.
"History has shown that black people are the ones who are always willing to extend a hand of reconciliation and they continue to suffer racial prejudice," said social commentator Andile Mgxitama.

"Whites retreat to their comfort zones. So how can black people address issues of racism and economic inequality alone," he asked.

President Jacob Zuma stressed at the talks held in Soweto, the Johannesburg township that became synonymous with South Africa's struggle for freedom, that reconciliation had to involve both sides.

"Whilst we have made progress in institutionalising the principle of an inclusive citizenship since 1994, there are certain matters that still cause divisions and frustrations," said Zuma.

Late last month he told his ruling ANC party police conference that South Africa's economy is still largely under white control.

South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) chief reseacher Lucy Hornbill, however, argued that it would be incorrect to suggest that no economic ownership had changed hands.

In terms of ownership of unlisted companies, property ownership, income levels and senior management positions "the picture is mixed, but is generally one of continuing, yet narrowing disparities between white and black".

She blamed the government's post-apartheid policies for failing to sufficiently address wealth and income disparities.

The policies have left nearly 20 million blacks in the country — out of a population of around 50 million — in relative poverty and up to 2.5 million in severe poverty.

A declaration at the end of the social cohesion meeting conceded that "the task of uniting diverse peoples to work together to build a caring and proud society is complex and challenging".

It cited poverty and racism among some of the major issues that hinder social cohesion.

Zuma called for the national social cohesion forum after a painting in which his genitals are depicted sparked a furore that exposed the racial and cultural differences that still dog Africa's top power.

Two days after the talks, Zapiro, a leading white cartoonist dismissed the forum as an attempt to "encourage conformity rather than real diversity", raising a fresh storm with his cartoon depicting Zuma in the shape of a penis.

The ANC said it had hoped that the forum, "would have assisted the likes of Zapiro and his ilk to appreciate that as South Africans we need to respect each other immaterial of the positions we hold in society".
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Dear Mr President
Please demonstrate how you respect the taxpayer? Because from what I can see, you show only contempt.

Practise what you preach, hypocrite.
 
She blamed the government's post-apartheid policies for failing to sufficiently address wealth and income disparities.
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I suppose we should just all accept the fact that apartheid will be blamed until the end of time.

"the focus was on building the country... and the people were left behind,"
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And a fantastic job you have done! Chop!!
 
Seems like a cultural divide where whites think blacks are lazy and stupid and blacks think whites are greedy and racist :p
 
smalltownsky said:
Seems like a cultural divide where whites think blacks are lazy and stupid and blacks think whites are greedy and racist :p
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You may be joking, however I think thats very close to being the truth...
 
gregmcc said:
I suppose we should just all accept the fact that apartheid will be blamed until the end of time.
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:erm: She blames the current government's post-apartheid policies and your response is that we should accept apartheid will be blamed until the end of time? :wtf: :confused:
 
Would internet forums and news site comment sections be considered comfort zones?
 
joelus said:
:erm: She blames the current government's post-apartheid policies and your response is that we should accept apartheid will be blamed until the end of time? :wtf: :confused:
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Why bring apartheid into it at all though? It's am emotive term that deflects meaning from what is said, as you've just pointed out. The current government's policies can ONLY be post-apartheid policies.
 
Sinbad said:
Why bring apartheid into it at all though? It's am emotive term that deflects meaning from what is said, as you've just pointed out. The current government's policies can ONLY be post-apartheid policies.
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Because the discussion is about rectifying the effects of Apartheid?
 
sox63 said:
You may be joking, however I think thats very close to being the truth...
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it was all seriousness, but these are just people. you get the intelligent lot who know better and it doesn't matter what race you are, but i can walk past people in shops and and hear them saying things "why white people are ....." and "... it was a bloody kaf***" :p
 
sox63 said:
The woman was blaming the ANC for their POST-Aparthied policies dude and not Apartheid...
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All the ANC's government policies have been post-apartheid. So again, why mention it?
It's ANC policy failure. Nothing to do with apartheid. Putting the Dragon in there just deflects the blame, as I said before.
 
I was listening to SAFM now, and a black racist phoned in and was complaining about the whites, and how blacks and whites can not live together.. and I was just thinking... how similar a black racists sound to white racists. They hate each other so much but are actually brothers and kin in warped ideology. Racists are so retarded.
 
Sinbad said:
All the ANC's government policies have been post-apartheid. So again, why mention it?
It's ANC policy failure. Nothing to do with apartheid. Putting the Dragon in there just deflects the blame, as I said before.
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What up mate? It was pointed out a few times already that they are talking about a South Africa the is 'post- Apartheid and fixes the Apartheid issues...so it has to be mentioned.
 
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