Speech by Dr. Pieter Mulder, MP, FF Plus Leader in the Budget Vote Debate: President Zuma (Presidency), May 12 2010
Many South Africans experience uncertainty with regards to the future of this country. Julius Malema, Eugene Terre'Blanche as well as confusing statements about land and nationalization have contributed to this uncertainty.
Uncertainty always have negative consequences. Uncertainty makes for businesses not to invest in the economy. Uncertainty makes for farmers not expanding their farming activities and thus not creating any new employment opportunities in rural areas. Uncertainty makes for many soccer tourists not coming to South Africa ; etc.
How can this uncertainty be cleared away? Through fewer populist propaganda statements by the ANC and others about where South Africa is going. I am tired of debates in this House and outside and in the media which are not based upon facts but on propaganda myths.
Some examples:
Myth: "Because whites created racism, blacks have no capacity to be racist". An ANC Youth League statement quoted in the Sunday Times (28/12/03).
Fact: I can show with many quotes that there are many good black people and many good white people in South Africa but also white racists and black racists.
Myth: That a large number of white people will be killed by black people on 27 April 2010.
Fact: Nothing happened.
Myth: That the nationalization of land in South Africa will resolve poverty problems in the country.
Fact: A comparison between the performance of the economies of Zambia and Zimbabwe since 1994 proves that this myth is wrong.
In Zambia 's case, where the government had supported private property and successfully followed free market reforms, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had more than tripled between 1994 and 2008 (in nominations of US dollars).
In Zimbabwe , where the policy of nationalization had been followed, the economy had in the same period shrunk by approximately half of its size; unemployment had increased from 20% to 80% and life expectancy had declined from 60 to 34 years.
Mite: Die meerderheid beeste in Suid-Afrika word deur boere self gesteel. Twak.
Feit: Die Polisie se statistiek weerlê hierdie mite. Verlede jaar is 33 000 beeste ter waarde van R255 miljoen gesteel asook 59 000 skape ter waarde van R71 miljoen. Nêrens was daar 'n aanduiding dat boere self betrokke is nie.
Myths affect white and black people. In this way there is currently a myth which is widely being circulated amongst white people that the ANC has a finely constructed plan to, when a signal is given, wipe out all white people. Not true.
Myth: The ANC was a non-racial organization since its inception in 1912.
Fact: The ANC's membership was only officially opened to all races by the Morogoro gathering in Tanzania 25/4/1969. (That was three years after Verwoerd had died.)
And many more.
In uncertain times the great enemy of the truth is very often not the deliberate lie - but the persuasive myth.
According to the dictionary a myth is a fictional story.
John F Kennedy said that the belief in myths allows us the comfort of an opinion - without the discomfort of thought. Maybe that is the reason that those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.
Bertrand Russell explained a myth as follows: "If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts..., he will often refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way."
The ANC often gives me the impression that instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views and their myths. Julius Malema and Jimmy Manyi are especially good at this.
Remember - facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
Abraham Lincoln said: "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts."
If one wants to destroy South Africa , then the government, the President and this Parliament should take decisions based upon propaganda myths and not upon facts.
Let us condemn people who are currently using uncertainty to send all kinds of myths into the world with short term political gains as their objective.
Hon President, it is time to put the real facts on the table. If we do this we can take correct decisions that will benefit all South Africans. If not, we can continue with unending propaganda debates - to the detriment of South Africa.
Issued by the FF Plus, May 12 2010
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
