The ANC has masterfully succeeded in elevating its own ideological premises, terminology and version of history to sacred cows that one questions at one’s peril. Should you become involved in a critical discussion, even in the most nuanced way possible, about the ANC’s policy of transformation or version of history, your arguments are ignored and you are simply denounced as a racist or advocate for colonialism or apartheid.
This tyranny of political correctness and intolerance against any viewpoint that differs from the ideological premises of the ruling order and political elite, is a serious threat to open and democratic debate.
The extent of this proven again by the hysterical reaction to Helen Zille’s now-infamous tweet over colonialism. The hefty reaction from the ANC and EFF ranks – as well as from the few remaining leftist Afrikaans commentators – was to be expected, since they are known for their intolerance against any point of view that deviates from their own and questions the ruling ideology.
What was less expected is that the sharpest response would come from the leadership of her own party, the DA. It is especially concerning, since it is an indication that the ANC has also now succeeded in even getting even their “opponents” to completely buy into their world view and aggressively defend it when it is questioned.
The DA leadership is apparently willing to sacrifice their own policy of an “open society” (that supposes a free flow of viewpoints and ideas) to the altar of short-term positioning and voter canvassing.
Contrary to what her critics try to argue, Zille never defended colonialism in her tweet. Her statement that the legacy of colonialism was not only negative clearly contains an acknowledgement of the negative consequences of colonialism. Her cardinal sin was that she dared to refer to the fact that technology and infrastructure development came into the country along with colonialism.