BEHIND THE FACADE

Apr 06, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

The fallout from the murder of Eugene Terreblance, the leader of the Afrikaner Resistance Movement of South Africa, has been admirably handled by all sides in South Africa.
President Jacob Zuma has called for calm; the ruling African National Congress has paid its respects to the dead man and the party of Mr. Terreblance has withdrawn a threat to avenge his death.
While these actions have diffused a potentially explosive situation— but not one that is out of the control of the authorities- there remains deep divisions and problems in Africa’s richest nation, problems that are not readily reported and investigated by the mainstream media.
This may have a great deal to do with the global adulation of South Africa’s first Black President, Nelson Mandela, who for years was a symbol of resistance to the apartheid regime even though in that period when he attained the height of his international fame, he was a prisoner behind bars helpless to do anything to bring about the demise of apartheid.
The reforms that he negotiated have been heralded as ushering in a new era in South African politics. But these reforms which have included constitutional power sharing arrangements and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address past wrongs have failed to bring widespread economic justice and a redistribution of wealth after more than fifteen years.
Yet the myth of these reforms is perpetuated in movies such as Invictus. But there are other movies which have exposed the problems that are faced in South Africa. One excellent movie, released last year, was entitled Disgrace and portrays in a subtle but undisguised manner, the problems faced by Whites in adapting to change.
It also outlines the problems of Afrikaners, White farmers, some three thousand of whom have been killed over the past fifteen years in that country. Eugene Terreblance who was hacked to death over a dispute in unpaid wages was one such farmer.
His death is not likely to lead to any meaningful reforms within the system but it is likely to foster some attention to the ongoing problems in South Africa which despite its relative stability is a tinder box waiting to explode. Not only is violent crime, including shocking levels of rape, out of control but more fundamentally is the fate of the millions who live in the townships and who continue to see development trickle to their constituencies after a decade and a half of majority rule in that country.
South Africa presents an excellent public façade. But behind all the nice stories there are deep problems in that country which the reforms negotiated have been unable to address. South Africa needs no reminder of how serious are these problems. It also needs to look across its border into Zimbabwe to see the dangers involved in not addressing the problems of land hunger.
The racial divide within South Africa, a problem reinforced by an economic divide, does not help.
While the Truth and Reconciliation process which was ushered in to heal wounds has been praised in various parts of the world, the reality is that it has not brought the sort of justice necessary to bring about genuine reconciliation in a country with such a dark past.
The inadequacy of that process was exposed in an underrated movie, Red Dust, starring Hilary Swank. While not a box office hit if offered revealing insights into the Truth and Reconciliation Process, insights which defy the conclusion that this process has worked admirably.
The problems of South Africa are many and not restricted to its internal issues. It has for example failed miserably to provide foreign policy leadership to the rest of Africa. Its mediation in the resolving the political crisis in Zimbabwe has not brought stability to that country.
In the meantime it is having problems with the scores of refuges from that country who have sought refuge in South Africa.
This is why the handling of the recent crisis that has erupted since the death of Eugene Terreblance must be commended. For South Africa, on the heels of it hosting the World Cup later this year, does not wish to have a crisis of any serious magnitude which can detract from that event.
In the final analysis however, South Africa will have to eventually confront the problems that it now faces for not even the magnetism of a Mandela or the successful hosting of the World Cup can free that country of the deep-seated problems that simmer below the public façade presented to the world.

Latest News

BEHIND THE FACADE

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

GPF arrests Presidential Guards by 48 runs as cricket action gets...

Superbet supports One Guyana 3×3 Quest

FIDE Master Drayton outclasses strong competition...

Wiltshire, Chris dominoes tourney set for March

Houston Sec’, New Central, Saints sent packing

Charles’ all-round performance helps EBDCA U23...

Features/Columnists

No immigrant should feel safe in America today

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

From Bharrat, the Blusterer to Howard, the Coward

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

BEHIND THE FACADE

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]