Apartheid was an abhorrent, discriminatory, indefensible, and an oppressive regime of the black majority. The cruellest aspects were through the Bantu Education system, denying the blacks the same standard of education as the whites.
A further huge negative, was job reservation for all well paid forms of employment. Thankfully, at some stage, black universities were set up for the development of black skills. As far as me having personal guilt for Apartheid, the enforcement system set up by the National Party was formidable.
Certain idealistic young university students felt they could show their sense of unfairness of Apartheid, by being involved in many peaceful demonstrations on University grounds, by the silent and orderly process by each displaying posters condemning the then system of Government.
I for one felt I could right the wrongs of the past, and joined in all these demonstrations with great enthusiasm. This all stopped when I was transported to special police headquarters in our University town. A table was full to overflowing with photos of all us demonstrating students, me included. These photos astounded me, as they included pictures of me inside favourite drinking holes, entering the university residence, and at private parties in the town.
The reason for the photos was to see who I was associating with, and build a detailed profile of all activists. I was warned in no uncertain terms, that if a continued with this political activism, I would be transported to the dreaded John Vorster Square in the centre of Johannesburg, and detained under the terrorist act. This provided for detainment without trial, for any period deemed necessary by the police authorities. Under this law, one could simply disappear from the streets, with family and friends having no idea where I was being detained. As any sane an intelligent person would do, I gave up my activism, and concentrated on my studies.
Further, throughout my adult career, I never once voted for the National Party. That was all I could do, to show my intolerance to the Apartheid system.
For my entire life, from adolescence to adulthood, I have never been unkind or had an argument of any significance, with any black person who crossed my path. I loved the black man for his wonderful personality, and lust for life, no matter what was being thrown at him. They always gather in groups, excitedly relating the events of the day and sharing their life experiences.
In my turn, all my toys, mechano sets, Lego sets, Dinky toys, bicycles which I had outgrown, baby cots, mattresses, baby prams, and baby baths, clothes, TV’s and Hi-Fi systems that had been replaced for newer models, were all passed on to the blacks working for us. Salary advances and pay increases were granted when the expenses of child rearing, and increased living expenses, squeezed family budgets. If ill, we rushed them to hospital immediately.
My son spent eight years overseas, and on his return, the one thing that he had missed the most, was the vibrancy, enthusiasm for life, friendliness, and wonderful excitement of the black culture.
In post News 24 articles, the post Apartheid Government is continuously maligns and criticised. The whites must never forget the peaceful and non violent introduction of the new ANC Government. Contrary to popular belief, the South African economy has actually thrived and grown under ANC Government. Thanks to Trevor Manual and Co, the economy has been left to grow, at a reasonable percentage, with minimal Government interference.
As much as the Blacks will deny this, a strong and growing black middle class is developing, which is becoming more affluent each day. Blacks with technical skills are earning equivalent salaries, and in some cases better salaries, than their white counterparts.
I must confess that the gap between the rich and poor is growing. The ANC Government must however accept a large portion of blame in this regard. The majority of the countries unemployed are within the 18 to 25 year age group. That means the oldest where 5 yrs of age, and have absolutely no experience of living under Apartheid.
The education system of the country is undeniably in a shambles, as evidenced by the Limpopo schools having not received text books, 7 months into the new school year. As a result of this, the majority have failed midterm exams. Further the Government has made little effort in properly training new teachers entering the education system. Also they have reserved so much of the national budget for their own self enrichment and bling style of life, that little is left to set up large technical and tertiary education systems, preferably surrounding all townships, to improve the skills of the poor.
The housing crisis in my opinion, could be greatly relieved, if the Government set up mass building training colleges, to allow the poor to build their own houses. If the politicians had not wasted so much money on personal enrichment and endemic corruption in the Civil Service, billions would be available to subsidise the materials needed to build critically needed houses for the poor. Instead of stamping out corruption, the ANC want to introduce Government and Municipal Secrecy Bills, to hide all corruption from the public.
Finally, I would like to end this article with the following Government proposal which I consider outrageous. If one listens to Classic FM, Finance today, learned economists say a huge problem with growing our economy to create jobs for all, is the fact that the country is presently leaderless. For being responsible for leading and incompetent Government, Zuma insists he need a brand new Boeing 777, at a cost of 2 billion rand, to support his continuous jollies overseas. In contrast, America’s Airforce one comprises an aging Boeing Jumbo Jet, 17 years in age. As for white guilt, I do have some, but I do not feel that the black population should expect me to suffer this guilt for an eternity, simply because
I HAVE A WHITE SKIN. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT News 24 prints this article in full, notwithstanding its considerable length.
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