No patriotism in SA
Oh, does that star-sprangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?’ ... BOB MABENA looks at how South Africans and Americans view their national symbols
THAT is the first verse of the US national anthem, which Beyoncé Knowles sung during the inauguration of President Obama s sec’ ond term this week.
Sung might not be the right verb in this case because it is alleged that America s sweetheart ’ actually mimed it a la Milli Vanilli.
Obviously a lot of Americans were offended by this.
This was not a Ras Dumisane incident at all; this was gross sabre rattling and it had very little to do with her skin colour or that of Barack Hussein Obama.
The Americans were angry because their symbols of National identity are sacred to them.
From the Star Spangled Banner (national anthem) to the Stars “and Stripe (flag) and their found” “ing fathers ”. The Yanks have found unwavering unity in their national symbols in both proud and typically arrogant moments.
Be it justified or Nazi-like, national pride for Americans transcends their political identity.
Why then is it not the same for South Africa?
Why does it take a radio personality s solo protest on a freeway ’ to get a blue chip company to remove the South African flag from an elephant s backsides?
’ Furthermore, why would that company display or exhibit the flag in that dishonorable manner on a national road?
The answer might lie in the fact that Mzansi is only 19 years old and cannot be at the same level of patriotism as the US.
Perhaps it could be that this beautiful country of ours is so polarised that patriotism is out of the question, at least for now.
We could point to a lot of things but the fact remains that there is very little patriotic display in South Africa Bafana Bafana s erratic – ’ performance can be blamed too, and let s not forget the lily-white ’ cricket and rugby national squads.
With all these challenges in Mzansi, how do we assume the unassailable stance of unwavering, proud patriots?
Is it possible to see, on national TV, our flag flying high, caressing the winds with rhythmic waves followed by every national team and supporter singing the anthem with heads held high and vocal cords crystal clear? I ve certainly never seen that! ’
Even when we won the Afcon and the World Rugby Cup in the 1990s, there was no patriotism at all. Fresh and creative as it was, the masses during those historic wins were singing the parts they identified with Nkosi sikelela for blacks – and Die stem for whites.
It might even have been Madiba s presence that was being ’ cheered, exaggerated and manipulated by TV cameras, but patriotism it was not.
Patriotism is described as devoted love, support and defence “of one s country ”.
’ Have you felt that? And if not why not? Can you and I, who experienced apartheid and, according to Pali Lehohla s census, still do not ’ control nearly half of the wealth in South Africa, truly be patriotic?
I would argue that it would be tough for anyone who is not a born free to be patriotic. “”
One would have to be the most optimistic South African, born of an unheard of mix of white, coloured and Indian parents, who speaks all the 11 languages and accepts and understands the differences in ideology and policy between the DA and the ANC.
Reconciliation was a forced farce for you and I listen to the – gripes on talk radio and you ll’ know where I m coming from.
’ So the only option we have is our children the born frees ”. – “
We each need to take charge and teach our children the history we have lived.
We need to foster patriotism in them through stories about the likes of Solomon Mahlangu, Zeph Mothopeng, Jeff Masemola, Charlotte Maxeke and Winnie MadikizelaMandela.
This is what I will do. I pledge to tell the stories of fallen heroes, those men and women who fought with purpose to depose a corrupt, brutal system that destroyed this country and demoralised black people.
I pledge to tell stories of selfless revolutionaries such as Steve Biko, Griffiths Mxenge and accidental martyrs such as Emma Sathekge, Stompie Seipei and Hector Petersen to my children with vigour and pride, because had it not been for these revolutionaries, they would not have been born free.
I will tell my children that even though there was a heartfelt apology, it was not FW de Klerk and the National Party who ended apartheid.
The winds of change and the blood and sweat of heroes delivered South Africa to its people. It isn t ANC politics that should
’ evoke pride in national symbols, but the hope that there will be more Bikos in their ranks to take up the baton and turn this country into a giant in all its endeavours.
Mabena co-hosts the breakfast show on Kaya FM. He writes in his personal capacity