South Africa, once upon a time, long, long ago was a desert of injustice. The land was ruled by a vicious and unbeatable monster called Apartheid Racism who devoured all in the land who dared question its legitimacy. Those who obeyed it and asked no questions grew fat and lived well turning a blind eye to their fellows who would so now and then be called upon one by one to do duty at cost of life and limb for their master, Apartheid Racism. Even when the knock was on own door by order of the master for such perilous duty the servant would obliged willingly in the knowledge that his or her loved ones would enjoy for such sacrifice the continued favour of Apartheid Racism. The spoils of injustice on the table of the minority at the expense of the majority were in great abundance. Long live Racism the mother of Apartheid! Long Live! The echo of the latter in the universe serves as timeless conviction against those who sat at the bountiful table of Apartheid Racism with no regret and or atonement as eternity rolls.
Apartheid Racism did however die 27 April 1994. With the mighty sword of Justice in the hands of one Nelson Mandela on behalf of The People, the African National Congress (ANC); Apartheid died condemned and witnessed by the majority of South Africans in long lines of voters together as former servants of the monster and its victims. All of these voters now echoing the words of one of their beloved sons Oliver Reginald Tambo: ‘In South Africa there shall be no Blacks and or Whites, there shall only be South Africans’.
Elated with the victory over Apartheid, its’ the former servants and victims sang and danced; they eat and were merry no concern of any danger anymore. Justice has arrived in the desert and soon as oasis it would bloom. No longer than as if only a minute past, has the batteries that provided the music for the dance gone down in winter of all times with energy blackouts; and did The People realise that it is not yet Uhuru.
Where is Nelson Mandela they started to ask? Where is the ANC they moaned! Now corruption, lawlessness (no rule of law), poverty, unemployment, racism, Marikana massacres, NFP shoot and kill IFP in front of police, ANC shoots and kills ANC; all worst (now under a democratic government) then during Apartheid’s undemocratic reign starts to send out another spine shilling echo into eternity: Justice is not Just (not immediately)!
The new ruler of South Africa on behalf of the ANC, President Jacob Zuma confused by all this asks this year 2012 Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others during a funeral of a fellow priest and TRC Commissioner: ‘What has happened to us?’ The Archbishop Desmond Tutu answered by asking in return: ‘What make a grown man rape a child?’
It is a question of morality! The ANC has build its legitimacy, electoral power and mass support for the ultimate defeat of Apartheid Racism on the foundation that it, the ANC, like Johannes the Baptist (with due respect for Christianity) called out load in the desert the name of Jesus (with respect, in this case who Nelson Mandela would be) who would bring justice to the barren land of injustice.
The People followed the ANC; they gave up all they had although they did not have much. They suffered for more than a hundred (100) years unquestioningly believing in the promise the ANC bring: “A Better Life for All”.
But alas, ascending the throne where Apartheid Racism used to sat, the ANC sit today with again only a minority (the elite) feeding at the table of abundance whilst at its’ feet the majority continue to wail and cry in pain as was heard under Apartheid Racism. Once more the echo is similar in being a cry against injustice but seemingly loader (now Black and White majorities together) then before: “Safe us! Safe my child, Safe my wife, Safe my husband, Safe my mother, Safe my father, Safe my brother, Safe my sister, Safe us! Nelson Mandela, Safe us! ANC Safe us!
Not so the universe echo’s back: ‘Save Yourself!’ God be with us!
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
