I wonder if readers are as tired of racism as I am. In the bad old days, White was good and Black was bad. I hated that. In the bad new days, Black is good and White is bad. I hate that too.
It is remarkable how politicians, some of them very senior, feel no shame about being racists. Some feel no need to set an example of tolerance and respect. They ignore the principles of the Freedom Charter, which they pretend to venerate, and the South African Constitution, which they have sworn to uphold.
Our Bill of Rights ‘is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.' Why is it so easily ignored by populist politicians when engaging in a bit of rabble rousing?
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane is a racist. She does not regard herself as premier of the whole province or of all the people of Gauteng. She saw fit to refer with contempt to ‘pale males' and gave an emphatic assurance that they would not return to the Gauteng legislature. ‘It cannot happen, it shall not happen.' Later she said the ANC would ensure the public would not have to experience ‘white gevaar.' I would be interested to know how this differs from the racist cries of old about ‘swart gevaar' or, for that matter, the anti -catholic ‘Roomse gevaar.'
In the new South Africa racist comments like this should be taboo but as long as they come from ANC members, they seem to be acceptable. How would similar comments be received if they were made by a white racist instead of a black racist?
Is the ANC happy to have the Gauteng premier promoting inter-racial fear and loathing? Not a peep has come from the ANC HQ about her prejudice. They must be unconcerned about the conduct of Ms Mokonyane. They do not care that some people in this province are publicly vilified by this premier as a danger and an affront.
No one will be surprised that the ‘provincial cabinet' of MECs has not a single white male and only one white female. Not everyone who is an ANC MEC is useless. Some are adequate, some are mediocre and some are worse than useless. This in a province that is the financial heartland of our country with significant numbers of people of all races and both genders with professional, technical and financial skills that could be used to help provide wider representation and good government. If the ANC made a determined effort to return to its honourable but today almost forgotten non-racial past it might help to improve the overall quality of its governance.
Something that comforts me and others is that increasing numbers of black and white voters reject racist and divisive politics. We want to be recognised as human beings, South Africans, men and women who are equal and who are valued as individuals. When the ANC loses votes in 2014 perhaps the message will get through that racism is out and nation-building is in.
Douglas Gibson is former Opposition Chief Whip and Ambassador to Thailand. He can be followed on Twitter @dhmgibson
This article first appeared in The Citizen.
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