Tainting history with subjective opinions
IWOULD like to comment on last week’s Big Issue article headlined: “Not everything you read is right.” Dr Niel Barnard has a long history, a life of highs and lows, mostly lows, because from his youth to his maturity he was a leading member of apartheid’s repressive machinery. He appeared out of the shadows and played a commendable role in the transition to democracy.
He has written a book from his experiences in the key negotiations that opened the doors to a country that is democratic, accountable, transparent and provides fair, honest and incorruptible service delivery to all her people, especially the most vulnerable.
Every one of us knows what happened to this dream – it is shattered to pieces. But to lose our hopes for a better future will lead us nowhere.
A key participant in such momentous processes needs to be fair and neutral, even when his opinion and narrative are subjective. This because every actor in a play sometimes does and says his/her own thing.
I first met Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in 1975 at a political meeting at the Sol Namara Hotel in Silverglen. This man has been a visionary politician whose greatest human quality is that he has been consistently honest. Due to his vision of a caring democracy, I will believe him more than I believe Dr Barnard.
His vision for a New South Africa that was rooted in his student years at the University of Fort Hare never changed throughout his life: only moved forwards, it progressed.
His key positions at the negotiating table were rejected because of his steadfast commitment to his beliefs, which were rooted in historical knowledge and understanding, and the vision of a pluralist, democratic and non-sexist society.
Many of the key positions and recommendations were ignored because the negotiations were dominated by the ANC and the various alliances.
The key issues with the book, Peaceful Revolution, that makes bad history are the intercepting comments and opinions of a man who should know better as a master of intelligence services.
What counts is the facts, not the opinions that need to be left with the so-called analysts on the SABC channels.
Hence he distorts history. On purpose!
He has done a disservice to the country’s history by providing his own distorted and subjective opinions against an honest, intelligent and visionary leader, who has served his people with commitment and distinction throughout his life.
KAMAL PANDAY Reservoir Hills