First things first. I am no professional writer, and so I make apologies to the more learned out there about the format of this blog. It is a series of thoughts that I have placed together, with no thought into the correct structuring. So pardon the grammatical errors, and if you have criticism, let it rather be on the content…
So let me begin:
I have been online for many years now, trawling through online articles about South Africa, it’s people, leaders, and happenings, the good things and the bad.
However, I find that I have developed a morbid fascination for finding articles where our leaders in South Africa utter nonsense of nearly biblical proportions. It has become a focal point for me, because of the sheer idiocy, and irresponsibility of some statements made by some of our leaders.
Why? What would force me to read and attempt to digest articles that I should brush off as nonsense? Articles that make me sigh in frustration. Perhaps I am a sucker for punishment, perhaps I am a closet sadist, or perhaps, I need to fulfil some innate desire to prove that all of our leaders are idiots, and that my preconceptions of these people are precisely right. But, I know, in my heart of hearts, that this is not the case.
I, like many other South African people, have a MASSIVE deal of pride in this country. We have such incredible resources here, from the bountiful land, to the talented and entrepreneurial people. The fantastic diversity which make this land what it is. I, like many others, cringe when we think of what the rest of the world think when they read the same articles that we read. They are embarrassing, and not a true reflection of what this country is about….I think. The “don’t-care” attitude of some of our people is dangerous, not only to the reputation of this already torn, and battle weary country, but to the inhabitants, the people who love this place. There is a growing divide, and it’s being perpetuated by the poisonous words of leaders in the country. But what if there is some real genius behind this irresponsibility?
Let’s not beat around the bush here, I write this blog with most of my focus on one Julius Malema. A man, who I cringe to give any more publicity than he currently affords through the media. But, I have to have my own say, regardless of how many people read this, my opinion needs to be expressed. However, my thoughts here are not simply aimed at him, but many other politicians who say really ignorant things.
Without delving into the many details of his utterances over the past year or so (for that, I would have to start an entirely new blog, with the comparison of his nonsensical tirades being directly compared to one Mr George Bush, both of whom I put on the same, dangerous and poisonous level.) I am astounded that after all this time, he is still allowed, by his party and by the followers of his party to spew forth the hatred and anger that he does. Astounded, but then, not so. I have developed an understanding of why he is allowed to continue, why he is where he is. We Africans, (OMG! Did I just called myself African? yes, I did, and if you disagree because I am Caucasian, then perhaps you should stop reading right here.) just love a revolutionary, don’t we?
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the last time I checked, the revolution was over. Or perhaps I am fooling myself in my isolated and capsulated little world.
Every society needs a revolutionary, just as every society needs a revolution. It shakes things up, it moves people from their comfort zones, and it forces often very much needed change. Julius is one of those people. I believe he is intelligent, passionate, focussed and VERY shrewd. The perfect ingredients for a revolutionary. With the right tutelage and honing, his innate skills and his incredibly confrontational personality would be the best thing for any country. WOW! Did I just contradict myself? I thought I called him an idiot, and nonsensical. I did indeed, but therein lies the shrewdness. How else would this man make a name for himself? His sudden and meteoric rise to infamy was created by the press. All of the press, negative or positive is exactly the right type of exposure that turns a man, into a legend, or a living martyr.
For all of the nonsense that we think he utters, there is a not-so-merry band of followers who will idolize him, and encourage him to continue. Those same people are the ones who comment on News websites when everyone else is tearing him apart, with statements like “I am so proud to be under the leadership of this great man.” To many people, he is what they need to keep their anger and hatred alive. They don’t want to let go of the past, they feel it defines them. He is the catalyst that continually re-ignites their struggle, and that fires them into action. There is no reasoning with angry, hateful people. Don’t even try. For with folk like that, the most sensical retort to any form of argument is: “Viva”. ah, that word, I love it, it’s the universal tool for counter argument. “Viva ANC, Viva Malema” But that, is a story for another blog. FOCUS DAMN IT! :)
Already by now I have been branded an evil racist or colonialist by many that may have read this far, and if you feel that way, then I feel sorry that you are unable to see reason, unable to see that there are other people in this country who are allowed to have an opinion about a person, not a colour. We do not need to be persistently reminded of our skin colour, it is a growth inhibitor, but, once again, I digress, so let me continue to say my say about this man, if you will.
If you really read his statements such as the famous hermaphrodite comment, or the racial slurs he made about only black people welcoming our Athletes at the airport, there is so much venom in them, but there is so much African fire in them too. And that African fire is a powerful thing. He manages to rally people around him, and he manages to create controversy with his words. But is that not what we want of a leader? He knows what is on the hearts and minds of people in SA. He knows that white people suffer from guilt which we have been spoon-fed for many years, he knows black people want retribution for the past, and like a skilled puppet master, he plays with our emotions, and incites the very same reactions that a school ground bully does. Before anyone thinks that I condone his actions, please do not misunderstand me, I do not. I feel however, that this man is a razor sharp weapon that has been unleashed, and like the Tazmanian Devil is spinning out of control. If the ANC actually cared for this country, they would rein him in, take him back to political school and guide him to the benefit of everyone in this country. Imagine a man with that type of fire in his gut, and the right direction, challenging countries in the world to change the perspective of this country. It would be revolutionary. Mmmm…there is that word again.
Could you imagine having Julius Malema fired up about creating a properly functioning education system, taking his own party to task about their failures? Or focussing on pertinent matters like housing, development, poverty and service delivery? OMG! What an agent for change he would be.
So what I am trying to say, is that the chaos and poison that is the by-product of a man with this type of power is the fault of his party. If they truly cared for South Africa and the future of a non-racial, focussed and successful country, they would do everything in their power to right his wrongs. Not eradicate him, but use him as an agent for good. But perhaps that’s too much hard work, and perhaps they are all too caught up in their own agendas to care? But, I think not, I think that there is a more sinister reason. As long as a man is allowed to spread the hate, and remind the people of this country just how victimised they still are, there is a door that opens for the further divide of our people. Sound paranoid? I think not. if you are reminded on a daily basis how lucky your neighbour is to have all he has, and that he has it all at your expense, then regardless of who you are, one thing will follow. Jealousy. Once that is there, it’s a hop, skip and a jump from being a victim to wanting a share, regardless of whether you have worked for it or not. Who is really pulling the strings here? Which parties would benefit from racial divide and anger?
I don’t know. any ideas?
I am not writing this to start any conspiracy theories, that is not my aim. It’s simply for you to think about. Make your own decisions.
So perhaps we DO need a revolution, but rather than a revolution for the people, by the people, rather, a revolution in the mind of Mr Malema. A revolution to stop the want for inciting vowlence and hatred against skin colour, but to rally the people of South Africa, together, against the real enemy, corruption and greed.
The potential for this man’s greatness with the right focus, would be simply staggering.
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