Bophuthatswana was better

In his reply to responses by members of political parties to his state of the nation address President Jacob Zuma made it pertinently clear that whether people like or not they cannot change history.

This he said when some people, some even from among members of his party, took issue with his reference to the contributions made by former Presidents PW Botha and FW de Klerk to the present day democracy.

The same should apply to Setumo Stone in so far as he refers to the prosperity of the erstwhile Bophuthatswana as a myth (see article). Whatever views he holds, Bophuthatswana was the best even compared to the present day.

As citizens of this new democratic country, we have rights as enshrined in the constitution to freedom of speech. No one is going to be muffled by Stone.

That even a judge of the High Court went on to state that during Kgosi Mangope's tenure in Bophuthatswana women and girls could walk at night in the streets unescorted without any fear is proof that there was law and order in that country - something all sensible people yearn for nowadays. They can, therefore not be faulted for hankering for those good old days.

It is not surprising that the current government is bringing back the police force to protect life and property

It is ignorance that makes Stone say Bop Broadcasting stations were dissolved because they were not financially viable. Truth is the political upstarts who landed in Mmabatho like vultures had no clue what communication is all about. All they were obsessed with was to close the stations and line their pockets with the proceeds.

It is common knowledge that all the Bop Broadcasting money that went down the drain is being sought, and sooner rather than later those responsible will answer to the courts of this land. Stone should be aware that the North West is one province that is not covered as it should be by the media. The question is what happened to the state-of-the-art resources that were used prior to 1994?

The argument on travelling long distances to and from work holds no water. How many people travel from the West Rand to the East Rand, from Pretoria and surrounding areas to as far as Vereeniging and back from work? By the way this goes for all races black and white.

Poverty is all over; even in first world countries. Even countries referred to as the Asian Tigers have abject poverty. South Africa herself even after 16 years of democracy and the foreign aid she continues to receive, is waddling in poverty. It is absurd to say Bophuthatswana was a crucible of poverty.

Just because Stone lives in one of the leafy suburbs he tends to be blinded that that is the case for all people. He has to go Mqanduli, Cofimvaba, Malamulele, Umvoti and other areas and note that the greater part of the North West that was in Bophuthatswana had no mud schools let alone children learning under trees as is the case elsewhere.

This brings me to the question of matriculation results. Stone should know well that these results were second to none south of the Zambesi.

Let us look at the following statistics for matriculation results:

Year            ex Bop               ex DET

1992         67, 23             46, 72
1993         66, 8               45, 38
1994         70, 2               47, 5
1995         68, 1               45, 2

(Source: Department of Education: North West)

Since 1996 to 2009 when the ANC government took over the running of Std 10 and what is now called Grade 12 examinations, the results have been getting worse and worse.

In the 14 years referred to it was only in 2003 and 2004 that the aggregate pass was 73, 3% and 70, 7% respectively. The mediocrity of these results spells doom for the future of our children and that's where the rub is! (DoE)

There is nothing wrong in an artist singing a song in which he bemoans real issues such as the loss of jobs, the studios that stand vacant and some other issues.

Let us concentrate on paving the way forward by getting better results to equip our future generations for life. Harping on the non issue that whichever part of this country was does not add value to the lives of our people, as that will not change history as it stands.

Sipho Mfundisi is National Chairman, United Christian Democratic Party and member of the North West Provincial Legislature

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That even a judge of the High Court went on to state that during Kgosi Mangope's tenure in Bophuthatswana women and girls could walk at night in the streets unescorted without any fear is proof that there was law and order in that country - something all sensible people yearn for nowadays. They can, therefore not be faulted for hankering for those good old days."

Sipho Mfundisi

 

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Hear! hear! That's telling him, old chap. by Dumisani Mkhize on February 18 2010, 23:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Do not let them shut you up! This is a good defense of history... and do not let people like Stone, who specializes in revisionism, silence you! Never let anyone shut you up! It is the case that a lot of bad can be written about the former homelands, and that . .more the former (white) rulers of SA caused a lot of harm in some places with their policies. This goes without saying even. And Mangope was repressive - but he did care for his people . The other side of the coin is the following: By all social measures and indicators, Bop was getting better each year, every year. More people finished school each year, until 1994. People were living longer, healthier lifes, each year. Crime declined each year, more infrastructure were built every year, there were more doctors, each year On top of this, there was a social life, and an functioning society. People who lost all that, knew now what they have lost. And once you lose self-determination, you realise that you have lost the most important thing possible. This is why the Basques, and Bretons, and Flemish, and whoever else, even in a developed continent such as Europe, still works to establish their indepedence and self-determination. People in Bop had that, and then they were stripped of it by the ANC, who then proceeded to steal the place empty, and the destroy the lifes so many people built . .less by JVR on February 19 2010, 00:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bravo We need more people that write with facts and not fiction. Please continue. by Yahoo on February 19 2010, 06:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Truth I would like to say that I was in primary in the former Bophuthatswana around early 90s when things changed. One should not assume that all the ANC did was great. Life in the BOP era was good. Pres Mangope was repressive, however things were still . .more good. I think if you anyone asked the people that used to live in that area in that era how things were, you will get an overwhelming majority saying it was better then. In the same breath I must say that my opportunities have increased dramatically and likelihood of making a successful life as a professional are also great, probably greater than they would have been under former Pres Mangope but sadly the same cannot be said for the greater population in the NW. . .less by Ex former Bophuthatswana on February 19 2010, 07:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Homelands I totally agree with you,the ruling party was so possesive with power.They should have learnt from those rulers on how to run a good administration.eg.Look @ Qwa-Qwa today..those who have been there are still shock about its current state. by Molapo Mopeli on February 19 2010, 07:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

But some things have not changed in the North West/Bop! 1. They still fail to maintain infrastructure, viz. roads remain potholed, etc. 2. The former National government of Bop. which in effect became the provincial government of the North West, remains corrupt, viz. consultant fees for Architects, etc. . .more get paid out for work not done, viz. the consultant submits duplicate accounts for services rendered on housing projects and the consultant simply gets paid each time, etc. 3. Consultant Architects, Quantity Surveyors, etc. appointed on a time basis, submit fee accounts claiming fees for more 24 hours in any one particular day, etc. 4. There is a fully staffed airport, with hardly any aircraft landing during a week, and most permanently employed personnel at the airport spend most of their time at home or running their private businesses at the expense of the SA taxpayer. 5. And the list goes on!! . .less by Zorba on February 19 2010, 07:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Thank Mr Mfundisi I did not like the Bophuthatswana govt. but I appreciated, and still appreciates, what Bop gave me. I am a proud product of Bophuthatswana, from primary school to UNIBO and being regarded as a professional today, an influential one, makes me thankful of . .more BOP. I actually see Tlotli Mangope (LM's grandson) often and I get reminded of the good times gone by. Bop might have been an 'apartheid state', but many of our people's livelihoods were far better during those times than they could ever imagine today. Bop had good schools where proper learning took place (Mmabatho High, Motswedi HS, Barolong, St.Anne's etc) which today are just shadows of what they used to be; people had jobs and the roads were in a good condition. Setumo must tell us what proper development has taken place in those Ramatlabama villages in the past 15 years. Hungry people will always yearn for the good old days Mr Stone. Please say hi to my former teacher Mavis Ntebaleng Matladi. Sptted her on TV the other day, she has become more beautiful as she ages! . .less by Saki wa Mogokgwane on February 19 2010, 11:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bophthatswana Mr. Mfundisi as a former "citizen" of Bophuthatswana I find it amusing that you use freedom of speech to start of your argument, there was nothing like it in the bophuthatswana I know. The reality is that why "crime" seemed so low because the police was . .more used to brutalise the population by Mr. Mangope whose mandate he never had to rule, this is examplified by his famous directive to the police abou male citizens " if there one, he is not a problem, if there is two of they are probably friends but be careful and if they are three or more they coul comrades and they should be treated with the utmost brutality". That is the bbophuthatswana I know. and by the way who was housed in Roiigrond and why did the have to build Odi prison if there was no crime. THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE. . .less by Bra Tso on February 19 2010, 12:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@JVR Well said, the Motswana are now ruled by the Zulu's and they actually burnt down their own homes and business's to have that???? Yes, people may argue that LM repressed his people but in hind sight he also gave them opportunities that are unheard of in . .more today's government. I lived there for as long has it existed and watched the pride of the Bop people evolve with delivery until new promises where made of the grass being greener on the other side....now look what they have. Very very sad. I loved that place!! . .less by Ex Bop on February 19 2010, 15:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bophuthatswana i used to travel from soshas to garankuwa as there was no effective learning used to take please in the old transvaal, most people who went to bop's schools made it in life. the infrastructure build by state pension funds(sefala something) was . .more destroyed in riots of the eighties. there were regular raids at illigal shebeens. now we cannot sleep at our parents houses as youth spin cars and unregulated shebeens with blarring loud music.. i think bop had some sort of preferential treatment even bigger budget allocations and revenue from casino's. I think Mangoepe ran a clean administration. i am in my late thirties and still very young during mangoepe's era. . .less by Sebata on February 19 2010, 16:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bophuthatswana Bophuthatswana i used to travel from soshas to garankuwa as there was no effective learning used to take please in the old transvaal, most people who went to bop's schools made it in life. I built a house for our servant in "soshas" 7 travelled . .more from Jbg to soshas any time of the day or night & had not a single incident of trouble. Pres Mangope was repressive, however things were still secure. I think if you anyone asked the people that used to live in that area in that era how things were, you will get an overwhelming majority saying it was better then. Gunnar . .less by Gunnar on February 19 2010, 21:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bop Hail Sipho Mfundisi; I had long ago convinced myself that I must have been blind of deaf to have remembered Bop to be as good as it was. Yes Bop was ruled with an iron Fist. But so was South Africa. That's what made it so good for all . .more except those that stepped out of line. Now we have the thugs and greedy ruling the roost. Why do persons like Sipho Mfundisi never get to 'rule' in politics? They kick A**; they don't lick . .less by RE Pretoria on February 20 2010, 22:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

If Bop was best why are the voters not voting you back to POWER Assuming that the article is correct, what I wouldlike to know is why are the voters not voting for the former Bop rulers. The last time I checked even the official opposition is not the former rulers of Bop. Can someone elighten me on this issue. by Miya on February 23 2010, 10:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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