White disaffection in South Africa

At a meeting last month with opposition leaders President Zuma complained about the visible lack of white participation in celebrations to mark national events. The president wanted to know why there are so few whites in the crowds, waving flags and cheering, when he opens Parliament or addresses meetings to mark national days. This is a good question: it goes to the heart of what the ANC calls the ‘National Question' and also points to an underlying defect in our constitutional system.

There are several obvious answers. To start with, it is a cultural thing. First-world people everywhere tend to be individualists. Many of them feel uncomfortable waving flags, toyi-toyiing and singing liberation songs. They can think of many better ways of spending their time than by listening to speeches (often critical of themselves) by leaders with whom they profoundly disagree. Others, rightly or wrongly, might feel exposed, isolated and even threatened at large rallies where they would be a conspicuous minority.

The underlying reason is more serious: it is that many white South Africans - and many members of other minorities as well - feel themselves less and less represented in the institutions of their country. The glow of the initial years of the ‘rainbow nation' has, unfortunately, faded. The wonderful gestures that President Mandela made to embrace whites to the bosom of our new multiracial nation are no longer forthcoming. There are no present equivalents of tea parties with Betsy Verwoerd or the donning of the Springbok jersey (although, to give President Zuma his due, he did appoint Pieter Mulder as Deputy Minister of Agriculture).

Instead, there is a growing sense of alienation. There is a perception that white expertise in public administration is not wanted: for example, critically important posts in police forensic laboratories go unfilled because the only suitable candidates are white. White candidates for judicial appointment are passed over again and again despite impeccable judicial and struggle credentials. Offers by former municipal managers to help sort out the service delivery crisis are ignored. The tone of anti-white sentiment in the rhetoric of ANC demagogues becomes more strident. Internationally respected institutions like the Nasionale Afrikaanse Letterkunde Navorsings Museum in Bloemfontein are neglected and allowed to fall to pieces. Everywhere there is a sense that white history and the contribution that whites made to the development of the country are being airbrushed out of the national identity.

President Zuma himself adds to these perceptions. He derides the contribution that whites made to the creation of our new non-racial democracy when he says that President De Klerk was ‘forced' to make the announcements of 2 February 1990 by the ‘irresistible pressure' of the ‘armed struggle'. He forgets that white South Africans could have stopped the transformation process dead in its tracks had 70% of them not supported F W de Klerk's call for continuing the negotiations in the referendum of March, 1992. The objective is evidently to ensure that non-ANC elements emerge from the history of our transition with as little honour as possible.

Perhaps this was inevitable in our winner-take all constitutional dispensation where the built-in racial majority determines everything. Under these circumstances minorities will inevitably feel that they are excluded. It is a pity, therefore, that our 1996 Constitution did not include some provision for the institutional inclusion of our minorities. In F W de Klerk's view, there should have been a State Council on which minority parties would have been represented, that would have considered all questions of national importance and particularly those that directly affected minority interests.

The State Council would not have had a veto over the decisions of the Cabinet - but it would at least have ensured a greater sense of inclusivity and consultation in the processes of government. Perhaps the minority parties could have elected an apolitical ceremonial Deputy-President to help officiate at national events and represent the country at home and abroad? No doubt minorities would be more inclined to attend celebrations that included leaders with whom they could identify.

President Zuma is right to be concerned about this situation - which the ANC calls ‘the National Question'. In a 2005 policy document, the ANC observed that "the national question around the world, far from being solved, is raising its head in an unimaginably barbaric manner". It went on to point out that "the lesson for South Africa is that we dare not ignore the national question in our own country". It then succinctly summarized its own position:

"In the South African context, the national question is not principally about the rights of minorities or ethnically motivated grievances (this statement is not intended to diminish the importance of the rights of minorities). It is, in fact, principally about the liberation of the African people."

Elsewhere the ANC states that, in considering "the identity of the South African nation in the making"... "what is required is a continuing battle to assert African hegemony in the context of a multi-cultural and non-racial society." The ANC insists that "the affirmation of our Africanness as a nation has nothing to do with the domination of one culture or language by another - it is recognition of a geographic reality and the awakening of a consciousness which colonialism suppressed". In fact, hegemony has only one meaning: it means domination - and it is irreconcilable with the principles of equality and human dignity upon which our Constitution is founded.

President Zuma should not mistake the absence of whites from national celebrations as a lack of patriotism or commitment to the future of the country. Most white South Africans have a deep and abiding love for their country and share a commitment to the future success and happiness of all its people. If they are absent from flag-waving celebrations, they are over-represented in NGOs, charities and service organisations that work tirelessly, effectively and without pay for the benefit of our society - and especially of its most disadvantaged members.

However, many of them feel increasingly excluded and alienated - inter alia because of the growing pervasiveness of "African hegemony". Perhaps the time has come for frank discussions between President Zuma and the leaders of minority communities to discuss these issues - because the ANC is right: "the lesson for South Africa is that we dare not ignore the national question in our own country."

Dave Steward, Executive Director of the F W de Klerk Foundation

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Welcome observations, but a decade too late... These observations are welcome, but are about a decade too late. All the trends identified by Mr Steward was already established by Thabo Mbeki in the 1990s... The constructive firing of Civil Servants because they are white already happened in the . .more Mandela years, it was in the Mbeki years that white Afrikaans Academics could not be appointed to Academic Administration positions IN THEIR OWN UNIVERSITIES. It was under Mbeki that BEE was changed into the deformative instrument to steal wealth or to leach of white owned businesses, and that white expertise was shown the door by AA. The incredibly slapgattigheid of Afrikaans Business in their complicit imposition of AA and BEE on their own people is astonishing, in this context. But all this is NOT President Zuma's fault, he inherited this all from the Black Nationalist President Thabi Mbeki, who already called the shots in the Mandela Administrations. The main failure of white leaders in SA was already in 1994, when they failed to understand the intends and motives of the ANC to turn South Africa into a Blacks Only country. It was always about that, and I have personally understood this already in 1982 (this is not a typo) - both that white politicians will sell us out, and that the ANC has but one intent, and that is to drive whites out of SA. . .less by JVR on March 01 2010, 17:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Agree with JVR - whites are complicit As you might guess from my name (duh!) I am an Afrikaner, but I have to admit that whites have been badly let down by Afrikaners, amongst others, not least by Dave Steward's retarded boss and his equally brain-dead so-called "negotiators" during the . .more scandalous capitulation at Codesa. It's not only the NP, though. Greedy white businessmen who collaborated with Mbeki to commit racism against their own kind and own employees, are just as guilty. White Gordon Gekkos participated in the racist plunder known as BEE. Julius Malema was funded by Brett Kebble, a white. Perhaps he's still receiving money from whites, just like Mugabe is. If you want to target somebody because AA and BEE p*iss you off, why not start with that bloated white plutocrat on the top floor of your office building? . .less by Afrikaner on March 01 2010, 21:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Minorities alienated Consider Malema : he says - there is little, if any place for specifically the white man in South Africa - and we are going to take everything you have worked for away from you because you are a no good white - you have not, and can still not contribute, . .more to this country. We are going to brush you aside into obscurity! The ANC seems to be openly supportive. Why on earth should the ANC then expect these minorities to dance, sing, and wave flags in absolute joy - if they are told all of this, directly into their faces, by the ANC ? Mr Zuma you even said Malema is the next president. Then the minorities cast their eyes to the dictator Mugabe, and the unbridled trampling of human rights of all Zimbabweans (let alone the minorities which are victimised, targeted and made scapegoats for Mugabes vulgarities) - and they look at the ANC's role in all of this. Scary Mr. Zuma, very scary ! Southern Africa is burning as we speak Mr Zuma - it is devouring itself. Or may be the minorities are just ignorant - Mbeki clearly stated - "there is no crisis". And sadly, deep down all the minorities ask is to be very good patriots, for the love of this country and their fellow countrymen - but speak up and your are racist and imperialist. . .less by jhv on March 01 2010, 21:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma the arch dissembler So, let me see if I understand the issue: Zuma wants me to don a tee shirt, pick up some sort of "traditional weapon" and go dancing in the street whenever there is a public holiday.? I wonder why. I would gladly offer him a round of applause if . .more he could keep his reproductive organs to himself in order to not clutter up the landscape with myriad replicas of the jacob/julius show. I would gladly offer another round of applause if he could stretch his State institutions to fix a pothole or two. i would clap yet again if he could arrange for a couple of traffic lights to work. more applause if Municipalities performed their relatively simple task of processing sewage. Zuma now wants a moral discussion on top of my participation in public events. he has a remarkable ability to twist away from harsh reality doesn't he? . .less by Plutarch on March 02 2010, 07:26 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Get Real The above three comments pretend that SA was paradise under apartheid, which of course is a lie. Suppressing millions of people and denying them basic human rights was a crime against humanity. Many of the quite radical opinions expressed by many . .more today were impossible to state during the apartheid era. What this country suffers from are those unrealistic comparisons between past and present regimes, instead of focusing on what is wrong and needs urgent attention. If those of good will, and there are many in this country from different backgrounds stand together, change is possible. Yes, there are many things wrong today, but whinging and longing for the "good old" days will not initiate the change that is needed. Whingers are blind to possibilities. . .less by Rine on March 02 2010, 07:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Gatvol ex-Lib vs de Klerk Hensoppers We NEED the Afrikaners to start shouting instead of cowering. PC is a method to INTIMIDATE people. You are the white majority - get off your backsides and ACT ! Us rooineks are gullible - Afrikaners are born sceptics - EENDRAG MAG MACHT ! by Old, female on March 02 2010, 07:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A sad piece of history Africans continue to float on the froth in the cauldron of history. Every failed experiment leaves them further behind in the march of civilisation. The two sets of moral values in SA will never be reconciled. by Bob on March 02 2010, 07:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Is it realy color? I feel that the dissatisfaction is more economical then racial. More and more people live in the state of unhappiness, nor only because they do not have enough money to buy our " daily bread" but more and more day-to-day conditions are becoming an issue . .more eg: security, education etc. So do not go the racial route it is economics by the end of the day. . .less by Bea on March 02 2010, 08:00 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The exact comment about whites not attending political rallies was made by one Robert Gabriel Mugabe about 20 years ago. Not surprisingly our leaders are resorting to the same rhetoric. The whole comparison of SA to Zim is derided as a cliché but its moving more into the realm of reality every day. Mark my words . .more -Zuma and his Nazi youth league have studied Zim and will be ramping up the same rhetoric over the next few years. . .less by Swaar on March 02 2010, 08:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

de Klerk I am not an Afrikaner,I am not a racist,and I think apartheid was evil. However,I agree with some of the comments that de Klerk and his negotiators sold us out. I attended a number of public meetings in the early nineties and the assurances . .more given by de Klerk and others were simply not honoured. WE and our children are paying a terrible price for this. SA is far more corrupt,racist,incompetent and dangerous than in the de Klerk years. The ugliness of the Nats has been replaced by the ugliness of the ANC. . .less by Sherman on March 02 2010, 08:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Steward is only partly correct. History has shown that there has never been one cohesive South African nation. Secularism has been the order of SA political history. First there was - call it white English nationalism which excluded all else and caused hardship and poverty to . .more both the Afrikaner and Blacks. This preciptated the rise of white Afrikaner nationalism for 46 years which excluded the English and Blacks - and preciptated the rise of Black nationalism. Now it's the turn of Black nationalism which will and does exclude both Endlish and Afrikaans whites. The politics of SA is secular and seems it will always be. . .less by Marc on March 02 2010, 08:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

pretend to be a tourist The only way to keep your sanity in this country is to pretend to be a tourist. Enjoy it for what it can off in the now. Smile at the quaint customs of the locals. Dont get upset about the potholes, drive 4 x 4. Consider it to be an extreme adventure. Why . .more worry about the president's wives? Would you be concerned about the politics in Thailand if you were a tourist? Just enjoy. . .less by lad on March 02 2010, 08:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

agree but.... "First-world people everywhere tend to be individualists". Who are second world people? by LWM on March 02 2010, 08:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This is not an "African" thing! This is a South African thing. I have travelled extensively in Africa and have been made to feel totally welcome. South Africa is 30 years behind eg Uganda in tolerance. by Swazi on March 02 2010, 08:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Whose value system: Second World or Third World (or Fourth - Malema)? The country is about 30% second world (comparable to Austarlia/Canada) and 70% third world (most of Africa/ developing world). The question is whether the second world value system is going to last? The second world is increasingly alienated through sheer . .more force of black numbers. Is there a future here i.t.o. a second world set-up? In Zim after the take-over, when whites tried to take part in civil life they were told, no, we are in control now, and when whites then retreated to farms and clubs, they were again told, look, you are keeping yourselves apart! Same here. Blacks here inherited the most valuable resource in Africa - the best skills in Africa - why is that not used to improve the lives of black people? . .less by Jan on March 02 2010, 09:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Be part of the solution You are part of the problem Mr Steward - "leaders of minority groups". As a white I am not and never have been represented by a "leader of a minority group" but by the leaders of a non-racial movement, the ANC. ANC might not always find it easy to . .more sustain non-racialism but whites make it all the harder. We dont need leaders of minoirty groups but leaders for SA and the future of all of us - whether these are ANC or not. Thinking like yours feed the frustration and intollerance of some black people - the existance of which, if you think about it, is not a big surprise given our history. It is really imporant to be able to break through a purely "white" identity enough to at least understand the resentment and anger - and to understand that it is really offensive to suggest that black South Africans should be grateful that white South Africans voted EVENTUALLY for change - there is nothing to suggest many would have voted for change had the ANC not made it seem like the only alternative. Get out of your whiteness obesession and talk in the interests of all and you can start playing a constructive role. Do you imagine life is good for poor South Africans, black or white? Be part of the solution - you only have to look at all the racist drivel your whining has elicited to see the role you are playing. . .less by GP on March 02 2010, 09:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The madness of this black african rhetoric is evident in the demographics There are perhaps less than two percent of white adult South Africans in the population who are young enough to attend a political rally assuming the interest. The vast majority of resident white South Adfricans are retired between 70 years old and 90 . .more years old. The plus fifties either run small businesses or hold key positions in companies that provide or us. The vast majority of those who are in raising family mode do so overseas and cannot attend a rally. these are the lost professionals beatne out of RSA care of racial policies of the ANC. A unique feature is the trickle of over 70's emigrating to join their overseas grand children. With the above in mind, it is not surprising that you cannot spot the white at a political rally/celebration. The critical mass is not available. If every black wanted to speak to a white this afternoon, they would have to queue 40 deep in front of every available white to do it. Go figure. The white community size implied is a myth. This minority has a social presence way above its numbers!!! . .less by Free the Rest on March 02 2010, 09:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Dave Steward Best article that I have read this year. Very well written! by John on March 02 2010, 09:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Open letter to Humping Dumpty Dear Mr ANC-leader When *your* followers were the victims of race-based laws they stayed away from "national" celebrations (national, in the sense that they focussed on the history of the ruling ethnic group) and, when they did attend sport . .more events, cheered against the "South African" team. Now that we are in a victim-perpetrator role reversal, nothing has changed. The victims of race discrimination stay away from events focussing on the ruling ethnic group. Just how thick are your (apart from not understanding birth control) are you? . .less by White people on March 02 2010, 09:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Africans? Africa is for Africans. I say, let them have it. White countries in Europe should extradite all whites from Africa, and send their Africans back to the "motherland". Problem solved. by Yeah Right on March 02 2010, 09:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Agree with Lad i lOve this country and the lifestyle it affords me. I live a great life compared to my friends that emigrated 10-15 years ago. My children are getting a decent albeit very expensive education and their future will inevitably lead offshore one day. But . .more today we live here we enjoy it here and as lad states i feel like a tourist on holiday. I know i dont belong in SA but i certainly enjoy my time here. One day the holiday will end and i will have to move on but for now its sunny skies, braaivleis, mountain biking and great outdoors. The locals are a minor irritation that i deal with. The leaders of Sa want us out thats no secret but as a white boy for now im content how long this my last is anyones guess. . .less by Frosty on March 02 2010, 09:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@GP Jou ou doring! Ek maak jpu sommer President van alles. by Pierre on March 02 2010, 10:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Racism if rife amoungst the balck leaders The black leaders have become the master racists. They have refined racism to include a hate for blacks that do not belong to their tribe. "Tribeheid". They hate discipline. They hate order. They hate intellect. The leaders are . .more like little sheep, blarring out a slogan ad nauseoum and then replacing it with another slogan etc. They confuse thinking with the simple act of rearranging their prejudices They blame all of this on colonialism, apartheid and a zillion other excuses. They are master blamers. Most whites in this country are super patriotic and are ever willing to contribute to the country as a whole. Just look around and you will find whites supporting every aspect of the community with full vigour. Often if this was not the case the blacks masses would be doomed to unacceptably low of the lowest conditions. The black leaders often do little to help the plight of the mass other than talk, talk. The are more obsessed with furthering their own wants. Just look at the Malema fiasco. So come off it Zuma. Change the tune. Get your leaders to stop being racists. You forget that most of the day to day blacks are not racists. . .less by Blanco on March 02 2010, 10:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This "Rainbow nation" thing simply does not work The cultural barriers between Whites and Blacks are far too broad to cross. Language, culture, history preclude a rainbow nation. It has not worked in Yugoslavia, The former Soviet Union nor in Africa where tehre are minorities. It . .more is time to realise that Mr Mandela had a vision-that failed! We hate one another-go to Namibia-no hatred-even in Angola-tolerant towards Whites-here the Blacks (after 16 years) keep blaming the Whites for all. . .less by SAM on March 02 2010, 10:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Reading of speaches I had enough of people reading speeches with one finger in broken eeshlees while at school. And we have heard the ANC promises for the last 20 years ...nothing has been delivered and nothing has changed. The big words like marmalade are no longer . .more in the pressi speech since the miniature poet was ousted, but its excruciating to watch on TV as our deputy president uses an opportunity to tell the world that SA is ready for 2010 by you guessed it ..."reading" a speech...what is with these guys?Hey even Birthday wishes to Madiba are read ? Compare that with Obama who cant stop talking from the hip and Brown who does complex financial calculations in his head without crib notes.Once our presi can rattle off his speech without breaking into Bollywood numbers involving machine guns or tracing the words written for him with his finger...hey I might just attend one of these events if I can get the time of work.Oh and in my culture(now a minority) adjusting your glasses every 15 seconds with your middle finger is called giving the voters the bird. Besides the gov's not about to hand me a social grant and someone has to get to work and keep the wheels of the economy going. With 14 leave days a year I am not going to use any of them to ululate at our "leaders"(sic) Is "leader" in the pedi dictionary? Is dictionary a pedi word? . .less by Fred on March 02 2010, 10:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@GP I agree with some of what you wrote - I am not surprised at how bitter black people are and how "in it for themselves" some of them are. For me the question is: Is the ANC going to make SA great? I think no, they will flounder due to their ideology. So I . .more vote DA to try and stop the rot. . .less by Dre on March 02 2010, 10:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

WHY WORRY... All the guys waving flags have been forced to be there anyhow. They got paid a few bucks and a Coke and did not have anything to do that particular day. In medieval times, the Europeans also paid people to cry at funerals, make the king laugh and . .more generally making a%^holes of themselves. Modern people irrespective their race seem to be more individualistic. I will not leave my country and I spend at least 10% of my time per month involved in social upliftment even if it's just chatting to my own workers about their futures or attending a military camp. Politics never interested me as it is the same circus as wrestling is. Only wrestlers have a much higher I* and they can bliksem you in real terms. Whether I'm part of a minority group or not, it doesn't bother me. I could never use my skin colouor to my advantage anyhow as I belonged to the wrong chrurch. I'm used to be a PDI. I used to be a Previously Disadvantaged Individual, now I'm a Presently Disadvantaged Individual. I never needed the state or church to support me in anything, thank you . .less by AFRICAN WARRIOR on March 02 2010, 10:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Young and escaping There's something about all the political BS that is utterly draining. I just want to go somewhere where I don't have to be permanently frightened, concerned about my property, where my taxes go, who is next in the ANC line-up at the trough, whether the . .more robots will work today etc. I've just gone travelling and it feels like I've had a mild headache for so long I've actually forgotten about it. As soon as you leave that dull ache dissappears. Its a bit like how you really cared what people thought in High School, but as soon as you leave you think, what did I ever give a SHIrT? Anyway, for now I'm "on holiday" here but when it its the fan my fiance and I (both 25) are taking our 14 combined years of tertiary education with us. . .less by Dre on March 02 2010, 10:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

First World people? "First-world people everywhere tend to be individualists." What is a first world person? Am I, a coloured woman, one? by Joy-Mari Cloete on March 02 2010, 10:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Fred Well said Fred. Was watching the singing, dancing, leopard-skinned polygamist Prez on CNN, how embarressing. by Will on March 02 2010, 11:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

GP In fact, dear GP, whether we like it or not, ethnic and cultural diversity are still the dominant issues in our country - and need to be managed with great care and communication. We did not raise the 'white' issue. We are simply responding to the fact . .more that President Zuma raised it and that whites are increasingly targeted by your colleagues in the ANC. The ANC itself acknowledges (sometimes) the importance of cultural diversity which it calls "the National Question". Check it out in ANC documentation. At the same time, study your Strategy and Tactics documents and see whether you are really comfortable with them - particularly with the dominant racial ideology of demographic representivity. We shall continue to make our contribution to our new society by supporting our excellent Constitution. We suggest that you might also do your bit by propagating it among your friends in the ANC - particularly those parts that deal with the independence of the NPA and language and cultural rights. . .less by Dave Steward on March 02 2010, 11:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ANC is not South Africa The ANC has always had a problem in understanding separation of party and state, or party and country in this case. I love this country, but hate the current government. That seems irreconcilable to the ANC, yet for most first world thinkers it is quite . .more conceivable and acceptable. The ANC is NOT South Africa and will not govern indefinitely, but they will probably not realise that until it is too late. By the way Dave, great article. . .less by Freddie on March 02 2010, 11:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Has Zuma not heard about his boss Malema, that racist nasty horrible man? zuma himself is not someone I would bother to listen to as he is best described as a buffoon in my view. He reads his speeches which say nothing anyway and lets be honest he is a most inappropriate leader and person to admire and respect given his . .more behaviour with girls and children and sex and aids and illegitimacy and extramarital sex and wives. The black behaviour he encourages and represents and the ANC's blatant racist BEE and deployment policies have no appeal to me anyway so why must I go and watch Zuma doing a stupid song and dance act while calling for a machine gun presumably to shoot his opponents (whites?) dead? Maybe 1000 years ago this was ok but not now. I hope the queen locks her bedroom door this week. . .less by Non Zulu on March 02 2010, 11:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

So GP what you are actually saying That you associate yourself with and endorse the current ANC norms, values ethics and mores currently on exhibit though the actions of the ANC "Leadership" it's cadres and associates. Mmmmm. by Just Asking on March 02 2010, 12:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

White disaffection in South Africa I'm not surprised at Mr Steward's article. I'm just surprised that it took him so long to realise that there may just be 'a problem'. I've been compiling a photo album of this year's murder-victims and the growing incidence of vicious hate-speech . .more targetting white South Africans on a growing number of Facebook sites. I believe the two are closely related. Hatespeech creates violence - and the founder of Genocide Watch Dr Gregory Stanton already started warning in 2002 that there was a 'silent genocide' going on targetting whites in South Africa. Of course who listens to him: he's only the world's top expert on genocide after he started investigating the Pol Pot horrors as a State Department lawyer many years ago - and realised that there were warning signs which people can watch out for. He compiled these warning signs so that the world can intervene before all-out genocide occurs. After analysing the police records of the many farm murders targetting Afrikaners,, he concluded that they were 'greatly endangered' because as a 'small highly visible minority' these genocidal incidents went by unnoticed as such. See my most recent album - I have compiled similar ones ever since 1997 when I first started logging these events. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040597&id=1026941238#!/album.php?aid=2040597&id=1026941238 . .less by Adriana Stuijt on March 02 2010, 12:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES WE HAVE SOME GOOD POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES BUT WE ALSO HAVE SOME WHO INDULGE IN ENRICHING THEMSELVES BY DEVIOUS AND EVEN CRIMINAL MEANS. THE VOTERS MUST TAKE ALL RELEVANT ASPECTS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN IT IS TIME TO VOTE . .more AGAIN. IT IS TIME TO FORM A MERITOCRACY WHERE MERIT WILL PREVAIL SO THAT WE CAN HAVE HONEST, QUALIFIED, CARING, AND EFFICIENT REPRESENTATIVES. MERIT BEGETS QUALITY AND RELIABLE SERVICE DELIVERY. I F ALL GOVERNMENTS WORLDWIDE CHOSE MERIT DRIVEN GOVERNMENTS AND MUNICIPALITIES SERVICE EXCELLENCE WILL PREVAIL. IT IS YOUR CHOICE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION WHEN IT IS TIME TO VOTE AGAIN. SIDNEY COAD WILLIAMS HEALTH ACTIVIST . .less by SIDNEY COAD WILLIAMS on March 02 2010, 12:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Most whites anyway are either at school at work or looking after their kids These are issues completely foreign to Zuma and his horrible lot of corrupt ANC people. by ridiculous on March 02 2010, 12:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@GP aca Charl Niehaus Just because your friends in the ANC makes you feel right at home here in SA giving you handouts and promising you even more....maybe a gold mine soon does not mean that minorities are included in this communist views of the government. Yes Charl, . .more minorities does not feel part of this circus if its youth leader indicates the direction the ANC is moving in by replacing everything they see with their communist,corrupt,blatant lies. I don't feel part of SA if I am discriminated against while looking for work having had same opportunities as black people my age. I am not going to wave flags as then it means I condone them destroying everything they touch....even the roads they drive on is worse. . .less by william on March 02 2010, 12:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

De Klerk no sell out wrt the comments about the NP as sell outs, to these morons I suggest contemplating the alternative: an urban racial war. Couple this with a sanction strangled economy, would have set up the end of the white presence in this country as we would have lost . .more by bankruptcy...you can't wage war if you are bankrupt. Instead we set upon a much harder path of reconciliation and now have a track record of engagement. This sets us up well and has strengthened whites in ZA despite the farm murders. See in an ANC alternative (www.abhlali.org) and white civil mobilisation together with a cooperative VISION for ZA and things should get better. The wheels keep turning, and although the mill grinds slowly, it grinds exceedingly fine. . .less by Goose on March 02 2010, 12:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Its in the ANC interest To keep racism alive and kicking. They have nothing else except historical rhetoric to offer the voters. If we all awoke from a coma and couldn't remember what Apartheid was or what the ANC stood for 30 years ago, they would fade into the history . .more books within 6 months as a bunch of egotistical self serving looters. Every time white SA'ns don't agree with the looting .."Its cos they are racists and don't want the black man to succeed. Unfortunately contrary to the belief, we actually don't have time to care how our fellow black men are doing, we are too busy earning taxes to support 18 of them for each tax payer that we carry and worry about how the next tender is going to impact on our monthly bills. Personally I would like to see the average black man be empowered..That does not mean living off of social grants and international aid, but rather being able to actually compete and carry his own weight instead of me doing it for him. The more people involved in our economy, the bigger the economy and the less drain on the minority of predominantly white tax payers. Also I have noted that every time white people are complaining about something that the ANC are doing ,its not them that will feel the brunt, but rather the poor blacks that vote for the ANC. Tenderpretenda Malema stole money from poor black councils that wont hurt me! . .less by Fred on March 02 2010, 13:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

move on JZ, the few whites in this country are not a threat to you , in fact the leader of the first world is a black man , do your job and unite ALL the people of this country. All it takes is one posotive speech and a little courage!! by Mornay on March 02 2010, 13:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

There was never a rainbow nation, we don't want it either. If Zuma does a the rainbow thing we will do a polokwane on him. Deliver on the top five priorities and forget about this Tutu rubbish. I don't hate minorities I just love Black people more. by majozi on March 02 2010, 13:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

I rest my case Mr Steward, if you think ethnic and cultural diversity are the dominant issues in SA it shows how much of a comfortable bubble you live in. Of course black people need to be represented more strongly in a whole range of insitututions - and BEE would not . .more have taken the form it did without those who, like you, aparently, cant seem to understand the injustice and damage done in the past. Your patronising response seems to get an extra boost from all the commendations and racist bile your narrow and seriously uninsightful comments has provoked. Do you really think the response you've got is anything other than a sign of how unhelpful your self-interested narrow perspective is? And as for the tourists - are you really surprised that you are distrusted if it is so easy for you to take that attitude. You make me ashamed and you do incalculable harm to any constructive efforts to address the complex problems we undoubtedly have. I would hate anyone to think all whites are like you. . .less by GP on March 02 2010, 13:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

White disaffection in South Africa Well Alienation I am not sure, sense of loss most probably. Dave Steward fails to articulate the balance that need to be achieved between a sense of loss by whites and Afrikaners in particular and the expectations of blakcs and Africans in particular. As . .more an African I can equally say to Dave as an African I feel alienated from the private sector with preference given to young inexperienced white candidates over me. With a BEng, BComm, MBA and studying towards PhD and 18 years engineering experience, I am continously told by my fellow white South Africans that they cannot find skilled black South Africans while I am unemployed. Guess what my fellow black South Africans in government don't even look at my CV because I am not a "Party" man. Me think Mr Steward should try and be an apolitical, Educated African professional for a day. You are not politically correct to occupy the Chairmanship of company either, nor are you clever enough to manage a business entity because you are not as bright as your fellow minority South Africans (Indians and Coloureds included) or black enough to through in the tenders the Party men's way. My chalenge to you Dave is: get your facts right and then share. . .less by Tsodio on March 02 2010, 14:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Question If you had to do it all over again, would you vote YES again in THAT referendum? by question mark on March 02 2010, 14:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@goose Hot off the press...the news papers in UK call zuma a vile buffoon...this is what the outside world thinks of the ANC and SA....This riches that you think SA sits on, is only because of the white people left here(read integrity,....you have to ask what is . .more wrong with Zim,Nigeria etc etc as investment destinations. SA were transforming anyway...not because of civil war C***....because we wanted to...bu we did not sign up for rampant lawlessness,lies,incompetence,corruption and a proud country to thrown to the dogs. We my fellow citizen were SOLD OUT from a home to a place where we are within a fraction of the other side of the knive's edge where Zim sits and you are a frog enjoying the luke warm water of the pot. . .less by william on March 02 2010, 14:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

It is not about race, culture or tribe. It is about class. I call upon the working class, the middle class, professionals and intellectuals to unite and hold the upper class and their political lackeys accountable. We need to deal with the unfinished business of the TRC, QUATRO, the unlawful ARMS DEALS, the . .more looting of the fiscus and the criminal HIV-AIDS policies of the Mbeki Cabinet. Why should 90% of South Africans have no stake in the future of South Africa? Time for accountability. Time for justice. Time for a real revolution? . .less by Carl Wille on March 02 2010, 14:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@GP You have a chip on your shoulder the size of Australia. I wonder where that feeling of rejection comes from? Yo must live on another planet. Are you proud of what your party has "created"? Are you also an apologist for Mugabe? Is this the future you are . .more working towards. It certainly seems like it. . .less by @GP on March 02 2010, 14:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Dave Steward Dave, it is clear for all to see, that your sole purpose is to protect your and your generations vested interests. To help the Nats, the Broederbond and the Afrikaner Elites to escape justice and accountability for gross violations of human rights and . .more crimes against humanity. You can try. But you will not succeed. . .less by CHE on March 02 2010, 14:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@GP Im distrusted because im white. Thats fine, nothing i can do about that. I distrust blacks because they blacks its the way of the modern SA my friend. I dont have a problem with that nor do my fellow black citizens. You quote"You make me ashamed and . .more you do incalculable harm to any constructive efforts to address the complex problems we undoubtedly have. I would hate anyone to think all whites are like you" ....My friend let me tell you soemthing all whites are exactly like me ... Surely my hard earned tax money more than compensates for my efforts to be constructive. What else do you want from people like me we have ZERO say in the future of this country , we are not wanted and these complex problems you speak of are self imposed by the arrogant natives running the show. This country coudlve been truly great but now its been hijacked. My vote and the other few hundred thousand whities like me counts for nudda. Our skills and experience are cast aside replaced with new form of racism disguised as BEE or AA or whatever you want to call it. Im not upset as fortunatly i have skills that enable me to work anywhre in the world. I choose SA FOR NOW but who knows when i will jump ship. I dont blame the natives as i would also be angry and justified to take back what i "think is mine" thats the way of the world. wake up GP . .less by frosty on March 02 2010, 15:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ GP Yes yes yes lets redress the past but when this redress involves a system of patronage, wholesale discrimination (blacks are included here) and looting then it is bound to cause some anoyance such that one isn't inclined to celebrate with the ruling . .more class. It rather leaves a putrid taste in ones mouth. At this point don't try to draw parallels with other thieves as it is simply not good enough. The day we have at least a 75% pass rate on clean audit reports for government (central, provincial and municipal) and a truly independent judiciary, we will all celebrate in the streets. . .less by Albie on March 02 2010, 15:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

John You clearly have not read much this year. by Reader on March 02 2010, 15:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@che what are you talking about...gross violations?? This is the problem with Africa...they are entitled to everything even though they can do NOTHING and do not believe in WORK. After the Anglo Boer war...there was nothing...you and your tribe were . .more running around in the bush and out of nothing we built universities,schools to educate engineers,doctors,teachers....on the other hand Malema builds bridges that is more boyant than wood.....my question is: What did you do with your Schools? Everything you see in SA today(except the world cup stadiums) were built by the old regime. Even today 20 years later you are still nothing and are still blaming . .less by pieter on March 02 2010, 16:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Frosty I'm the same....just treading water for now. But anyone with transportable skills is frankly having to accept the reality that eventually they'll need to jump ship - especially if they have children. Its sad really, but honestly was it realistic to expect . .more back in 1994 that SA would somehow be different from the boys up north ? With hindsight - no! . .less by Tev on March 02 2010, 16:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Grab a piece of Zimland Lets all migrate to Zimland and catch the wave of recovery and by the time Zuma and Malema discover that their arses are not their heads. We will all be in clover. At which point the ANC will have the whole show. And then we can sit across the . .more Limpopo and watch South African wisdom at work. . .less by Nationless on March 02 2010, 16:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Don't personaly identify I'm white and I dont feel alienated. In fact I feel more alienated by my own supposed culture then by any black person or government. To suggest that all whites feel alienated is not the whole truth. When did a white man you know last take care of your . .more interests? White people are all dog eat dog. So where is the warm fuzzy social existence of the whites. Too busy feathering their own nests. Preparing to fly off for the winter. Perhaps too caught up in their own social sub clique to care about the greater good. It is the Anglo Saxon clique festering all this new racism, becase they don't have a man in office. If they don't own it, they break it. look at USA vs Iraq for an similar example. People need to wipe their eyes and decide whether they are European or South African. The choice is yours not someone elses to make. If you feel like a Roman go to Rome. . .less by White man not worried on March 02 2010, 16:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Boo hoo I haven't read this yet. But I'm sure my reaction after reading it will be "boo hoo" shut up and go to Australia, this country has enough challenges without also having to deal with weepy, depressed-that-they've-lost-power-and-don't-count-anymore white. by Nic on March 02 2010, 17:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

White disaffection in South Africa I don't know why JZ is dissatisfied with white participation. Imagine you are sitting in the gallery in parliament and you look at our honourable MP's and ministers - one by one - and you do this for, say 4 weeks. When you finally . .more walk out of there you will only experience DISGUST. Because you know for SURE they are only there for the ride on the GRAVEY TRAIN!!!! What is working in this country - everything is in one or other advanced state of decay!! No ZUMA - if you want respect and participation - YOU NEED TO DELIVER!!!! Not your usual appeasing of the masses, but REAL DELIVERY. . .less by Darius on March 02 2010, 17:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

White man not worried My dear friend - it is very clear to me that you are living on your own island of deception. Agreed that some are lining their own pockets - but the vast majority does'nt fit into that category - don't let the false messiah's bend your brain to the same . .more level as theirs. . .less by Darius on March 02 2010, 17:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@White man not worried "... So where is the warm fuzzy social existence of the whites." Who ever said there was such a thing. I think generally English-speaking whites are individualists, they tend to think more as individuals rather than as a group. If you think this . .more is a bad trait, then so what? As an individualist who can think and act for himself the last thing I would be comfortable with is a "warm fuzzy social existence". Maybe pop down to the pub or club now and again to watch the rugby or cricket. What's wrong with feathering one's own nest, that's what makes the economy work.It's how one looks after one's family and provides the taxes for the ANC to squander. Someone has to do it or we'd all be involved in charity work at the expense of the economy. In fact many whites who I know work hard and are involved in charities and NGO's, they just don't walk around announcing what a "warm, fuzzy social experience" it is. . .less by Jeff on March 02 2010, 19:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pieter How do you know, Sir, what tribe I belong to, if any? I am sure Steve Biko would prefer his life to roads. If you would like to remind yourself about the gross human rights violations committed before 1994, please read the TRC final report. It is . .more available online. Pieter, you are too busy jumping to conclusions, making false assumptions, labelling people and defending the indefensible. You clearly do not know your A*** from your elbow. . .less by Che on March 02 2010, 20:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Our Constitution is still the supreme law of the land. If the disputation and diverse view points listed in the 60 comments above have left you dizzy, there is a remedy available. Read, understand and inwardly digest the Constitution, it is a truly remarkable document and reflects a national consensus formed . .more in the long and arduous negotiations that preceded its adoption. It posits a broad South Africanness in which we unite in our diversity in a non racial, non sexist, multi party democracy under the rule of law. If your time is limited, confine your reading to the preamble, sections 1 and 2, the Bill of Rights (Chapter 2) and section 195(1). There is much to be proud of and to work towards. If we do not make the values of the Constitution the lived reality of all South Africans by actively working towards the realisation of the type of society it envisages - one of freedom, equality and dignity for all - then we have only ourselves to blame and the alternative values of the national democratic revolution in which the "revolutionaries" secure hegemonic control of what they call "all the levers of power in society" will, alas, supplant the constitutional values we all embraced in 1994. . .less by Paul Hoffman on March 02 2010, 20:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

white attitude 18 000 whites murdered by blacks since 1994. 100 000's of whites robbeb, plundered, maimed, white women raped by african barbarics. Hello JZ get the african people civilised and the whites will definately get more involved. The ANC have . .more screwed up every govt department and parastatal and the infrastructure is falling apart. If SA's best black engineer Marogo can ruin ESKOM = yea aint seen nothin yet = watch Malema making a bigger mess of mines banks etc. in the future. Zim now looks like a paradise in compared to SA in 20 yrs time. Another thing JZ the whites pay 80% of the tax in SA - they have to work long hours and very hard to make a profit and then pay Tax to the ANC - the whites do not have time to go to the ANC parties and gatherings. JZ do you understand the problem? Can you blame the young whites for leaving SA - remember when the intelectual capital is gone - the wealth goes as well. . .less by makatini on March 02 2010, 20:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

white disaffection afimative action took me out of the workforce. how is it that i am needed at at celebrations? Zuma dont miss my capabilities to the economy, why shoud he miss my presence at a party? by vossie on March 02 2010, 20:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

They defined us as non-existent... Paul - You must really, really, take the time to get to grips with the factors and terms in literary criticism - the modern kind known as deconstructionism. Since you throw around terms like "hegemonic" you seem to be dimly aware of it. The . .more meaning of the Constitution is completely determined by who reads it. And those who read it, are naturally those who have power. Those who have power will define the terms in the Constitutions as they see fit, notwithstanding your protestations. This is why there is such a gap between what you think is written in the Constitution, and what the ANC perceives. Consider the evidence so far-- from guarantees to freedom of association, to culture and language, to economic freedoms (think AA and BEE), all have been undermined or explicitly cast aside already, defining the common law by which the Constitution will be made to define rights and duties. Now who do you think will prevail in disputes between say Afrikaners and ANC supporters? (The judges will be appointed by the ANC). On the explicitly negative side the Constitution strips Afrikaners of a historical claim to self-determination, and this is the main accusation against Codesa - they had no mandate to define us collectively as non-existent. All that remain are individual rights, all subject to interpretation and "reasonable" limits . .less by JVR on March 02 2010, 22:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Oh my.. whine, point finger, whine,swear- don't you guys get bored doing this day in and day out. Once you open your eyes to see SA for exactly what it is you will find that there are people of all colour who feel disenfranchised but choose to do their own bit . .more for the country instead of whining all day long. South Africans of all races want to see this country prosper..however there are and always will be pockets of people from each race that can't think beyond race. Really now, this record is way too old- how about MW writing positive articles for once instead of these daily doom and gloom articles that only divide the country and drive a wedge amongst the different races. . .less by Bnb on March 02 2010, 23:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

JVR Please help me with this. Are you not an individual? Do you exist, or not? Or is it all about tribe? by Carl Wille on March 02 2010, 23:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

White Rights now! The time has passed to bemoan the failure of multiculturalism. All the hand-wringing in the world won't change a damn thing - as proven the world over, multiculturalism is a dog that won't hunt. Cast off guilt and regret! The time is now to embrace love . .more of one's own over servility to a perverse and discredited ideology. We are Whites, the civilizers and inventors, and we only need each other. . .less by SoLaR on March 03 2010, 00:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

I think so I am not.... Mr Wille, I think, therefore I am not!! I was defined out of existence. Poof!! And I was gone - I was never here, and will never be here. I did not have parents, a language, a history, a home, a family, blood relations, . .more and the kinship was a hallucination! It was never so!! It was an imagination, a figment, a non-event, a non-history. We were never here. We write on stones: "We are not" and the past was not. There are Scots, and Basques, and even Pashtoons and Japanese. There are Swazis and Sothos....but we were never here, by definition, by decree. By the time the deracialised Anglos realize that they exist, then like Romans they will know that they are not Vandals, and that Vandals exist, quite independent of Roman thought and definitions. Of course, by then it will be too late. I am counting the decades - and in Birmingham, and Manchester, and Leeds, there is a restless stirring.... but then, the English does not exist, it is only an imagination in diversity... . .less by JVR on March 03 2010, 03:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Black hegemony The Black domination of Whites which President Mandela said he would fight against is well and truly with us; but Mr Mandela, regarded as a sell-out by many Blacks is too old to fight now. We have a Bill of Rights which, despite the provisions of . .more section 36 of the Constitution, is dishonoured in many of the the ANC's racial policies and laws. Just as Blacks did not attend national celebrations in the apartheid era, whites' second-class citizen status inclines them to do the same now. Personally I just cannot bring myself to identify with a President who has had 783 serious criminal charges dropped against him unconstitutionally and in the most obviously scandalous manner. And so many wives, girlfriends and children; is this a role model we are expected to look up to? . .less by flebus on March 03 2010, 07:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Here we go again.. 'First-world people everywhere tend to be individualists. Many of them feel uncomfortable waving flags' - I am assuming Dave Steward has never seen American politics on CNN, or are Americans classed as something other than 'First-world'? Simple truth is . .more that majority of white South African's don't support, nor respect the national government. Furthermore, are we so insecure that we need the national leaders to tell us on a regular basis that we are ok? Where does this insecurity come from? Oh yes, of course, its because we know our forefathers screwed over the majority of our countrymen throughout history and we are looking for assurances that they won't want revenge...at some point, as opposed to engaging them and correcting the past. Its equally rich for the De Klerk Foundation to bitch about a constitution that De Klerk negotiated, seriously? Agree that whites are deeply patriotic, but we love our country for different reasons. If you don't love all your countrymen, how deep is your patriotism? . .less by Michael J on March 03 2010, 12:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

How about? We agree that we love our country, that we want a better future and that things have to change fundamentally to achieve this? To achieve this we simply have to ensure that leaders serve us and not themselves and the business partners in crime. We have to . .more start holding our corrupt, oppressive and self-serving leaders and politicians accountable for their misrule. Starting with De Klerk, his Cabinet and the unfinished business of the TRC. Only then can we end the cuture of impunity in South Africa and THRIVE. It is up to us. . .less by Carl Wille on March 03 2010, 14:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

South Africa Finished Wkae up people. Mandela was nothing but window dressing. He never even had a hand in the choosing of ANC cabinet ministers. The ANC is a typical fake "liberation" movement. They are hardline Marxists who do and will not ever give up power. Regardless of . .more the popularity of the DA and Helen Zille, the African negro will NEVER allow a white led government in RSA again. The ANC, South African Communist party, COSATU and the ANC Youth League will ensure that the ANC will remain in power until the country is reduced to a shambles, just like Zimbabwe. Just look at what has passed for the nation's leaders: Mandela was a convicted terrorist who never agreed to give up violence even when he was imprisoned; Thabo M'Beki denied the link between HIV and AIDS, Zuma has sired over 20 children out of wedlock and thought that having a shower after sex with an HIV woman would protect him from the virus! Whaty a bunch of misfits! And we wonder why Africa is the only continent in the world going backwards? Once South Africa will go the way of Zimbabwe - say in ten years - the usual excuse for the failure of yet another black Marxist government will be laid at the feet of the whiteman. To all South African whites: get out while you can. When the blacks take over, its all over. . .less by Bill Gibbons on March 09 2010, 00:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Human rights violations I see so many human rights violations happening right now. Black on black, lack of health services, education, the aids debacle security. I thought theanc said they would do better than the previous regime - they have at looting the coffers for self . .more enrichment. . .less by Gina on March 29 2010, 07:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Building a nation It was never going to be easy, but it can be done if there is the will and a common love for the country. The problem is enrichment. Few current black leaders give a hoot about the poor (if you don't believe me just see how few give of their time on . .more NGO's, charitable organizations and even PTA's) and are chasing leadership positions in politics for it is there where they can either directly benefit or influence matters through the awarding of tenders or nepotism. Unfortunately the good white people (who never used their positions for personal gain other than an honest wage) have to be shoved aside for the moment to make way for these predators. See how many of JZ's family suddenly became "businessmen" after Polokwane. Ps. JVR jy maak my siek. You are worse than Malema - just read your own utterings and you will not be able to disagree. . .less by Fidel on April 15 2010, 09:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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