RACE IS A MAKE OR BREAK ISSUE FOR RAINBOW NATION

SOUTH Africa: when are we going to get over the race issue?

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

These are among the most quoted and loved words in South Africa but something is wrong here. We are failing to live up to these words in practice while we continue quoting them and loving the man who uttered them.

It is no doubt that the 1994 democratic dispensation brought many hopes to the people of this land and dreams of a true rainbow nation.

These dreams, though, seem to be hampered by the fact there are those in our midst who see racism as a common phenomenon that cannot be demolished easily.

Over the past few months, if not years, South Africa has been subjected to lot of racial undertones which seem to be derailing the progress the country has made in the past 20 years, with social media having taken centre-stage. The level of insults and racism in social media is unacceptable.

The unfortunate part in all this is that we have institutions to enhance our democratic principles and values and yet the progress they are making is not satisfactory.

The South African Human Rights Commission, for example, is not doing enough to fight this scourge and, on the other hand, we have organisations like AfriForum that only exist to entrench white supremacy and ignore other important issues that affect black people.

If the country and its citizens do not take the race issue seriously, it will be doomed and we might find ourselves waiting another 20 years to build a true rainbow nation which the likes of Madiba fought for.

It is high time we engaged on this issue to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa that our forefathers fought so hard for.

Tom Mhlanga

IN LAST week’s Saturday Star, Les Fatherley takes you to task for talking about Joburg and not Johannesburg. If it makes you happy you can call our city, whose name still officially is Johannesburg, Witgatwortelsfontein for all I care. Personally I find Joburg only useful in a letter-strapped headline.

I wouldn’t have made the effort to write a letter on the subject.

But it’s the editor’s note to Fatherley’s letter I object to, especially where you declare: “Joburg is commonly used by most residents of the city and has been for decades.”

Now, you may be correct, but I’m intrigued by such a sweeping statement without any substantiation. Did you arrive at this after an extensive survey? If so, it would make for good reading.

I believe for a “paper of substance” to state this as fact, it demands more than a throwaway line in a postscript.

I have lived in this city for more years than I care to mention and, being a wordsmith by trade, I always thought I had my ear tuned in.

Maybe I mix in the wrong circles or maybe I’m from “an older generation”, but I cannot agree with your sweeping statement.

I remember when Egoli was flavour of the month. More enduring and a favourite among advertising people was, and probably still is, Jozi. LOBOLA was traditionally used to build family relationships, but has become a money-making scheme.

For instance, if a woman has kids and has been married before, the lobola must be low. Some use education like a degree to inflate the price of the bride. Some parents charge more money to buy furniture for their homes. Why must I pay a lot of money while the bride is lazy and independent?

Today wives want assistants to clean the house and cook. All they do is to watch IsiBaya and sleep.

You cannot charge someone more than R100 000, regardless of bride credentials. Lobola must not be a deciding factor for love or commitment. The man should be the one who holds the family paramount.

You’re not supposed to count the money in its true monetary form but as symbolic replacement to the cows.

The term “bride price” is wrong, because it indicates purchase of the bride, which is not the case. Lobola has lost its symbolic meaning and become a commercial venture.

Also, today we have so many independent woman who don’t want lobola and to be controlled by the in-laws. In view of all this, it might be prudent to appoint an ombudsman to regulate lobola money. It is a big money-making industry, especially over Christmas. Sars should consider taxing lobola.

Sidwell Tshingilane