Unathi Kondile, News24 User
I couldn't believe it. There I was indulging on Manto spirits, getting plastered Medi-Clinic style, at a favourite township hangout spot. All of a sudden some character, with all the space around him, stepped on my shoe.
He then turned as if to apologise but instead: "Why did you put your shoe under my foot!?" he demanded. At first I thought this was some new joke but as he came closer I realised he was more serious than a heart attack. Dead-serious. Needless to say I was at a loss for words.
What followed was an awkward string of one-liners. "You suburb boys mustn't come and think you're clever here!", "und 'qhela kakubi!" etcetera, etcetera.
So I guess to avoid a nonsensical confrontation I apologised for being stepped on. I then put my Manto drink down and indulged in a conversation with the barmen who'd witnessed this incident. They shook their heads.
Now if I were white I would've immediately classified this recent experience as an act of misanthropy or maybe as an act of blustering racism posed by some random township bully. But is there such a thing as black on black racism? The answer would be yes - if you've come to accept that there are two types of blacks in South Africa. Yes, the architects of apartheid succeeded in creating tribalism and black-on-black hatred.
Those of us who succeeded in getting out of the townships, getting higher education and willingly moved to the crime-infested suburbs are now faced with various challenges.
Last year when three gents decided to hijack me outside my door - it was a process of shock for me; the manner in which they dragged me, stuck a gun to my face and the hate one-liners they spewed made me believe I probably deserved it - for having deserting them wherever they've been in the past 13 years.
Nothing pisses me off like working hard for something and having it taken away by some beer-guzzling unemployed bum who spends his days bemoaning our past instead of taking active steps in empowering oneself; like some of us who went from ashy to classy through our own will and determination. I digress.
Needs to be resolved
If you are still pondering the two types of blacks I mentioned. Well they are: the so-called black diamonds and the blacks. The blacks are making it so difficult for the so-called black diamonds to appreciate their achievements. Terms such as i-Bourgeois or u-Kleva or the clichéd-to-death Coconut label are just a few terms being levelled against the so-called black diamonds.
All of sudden so-called black diamonds are supposed to be engulfed with guilt for having progressed. At this point I feel I must apologise if you feel I'm looking down upon my race. The sad thing is that we need to resolve this, quickly. My whinging here will not make a difference - but at least it's off my chest.
A friend once said: "South Africa hasn't undergone a process of change or a revolution. A war is still coming. And it won't be Mugabe's idyllic dream of black against white. It's probably going to be black against black!"
As we approach Steve Biko's commemoration day I can bet he is turning in his grave - on what the black man has turned into.
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