Ironic how apartheid gave us two priceless leaders, democracy gave us none

SOUTH Africa has produced two great sons – one a politician who was prepared to lay down his life for freedom and justice, and the other, a religious leader who became the champion of the poor and the oppressed.

Strange and ironic as it may be, the two iconic leaders, revered the world over, were not the products of democracy but apartheid South Africa.

The architects of apartheid never envisaged that one day their own bigoted, racist policies, which relegated blacks to a sub-human species, would spawn several freedom fighters who would rise to topple it.

And so, out of the fetid loins of apartheid were born two iconic leaders, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, who won worldwide fame and reverence for their undaunting struggle against racism and inequality.

As evil as apartheid was, it has, nevertheless, given us two priceless leaders we all can be proud of and treasure forever.

What has democratic South Africa produced? Anyone worth mentioning? Any exemplary leader who selflessly and tirelessly fought for the poor and downtrodden? Anyone who has emulated Mandela and Tutu and put the interests of the country and the people before himself?

I look, I search, I peer but I see none. All I see are fat, sleazy, stinking rats feeding so voraciously that they don’t give a damn about Mandela and Tutu. With their bellies full, heritage and conscience can go to hell.

What shameless, disgusting leaders we have.

It’s no wonder Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, in a burst of rage at the ANC’s refusal to allow the Dalai Lama to visit the country for his 80th birthday, said: “South Africa is now worse than the apartheid state.”

Though the president has been singing the praises of Tutu, I don’t think the ANC will miss the Arch very much.

He was a thorn in their flesh.

THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN

Kloof