Get rid of the inferiority complex
Victim mentality
“WE seek to create a united democratic and non-racial society. We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity.
“Using the power you derive from the discovery of the truth about racism in South Africa, you will help us to remake our part of the world into a corner of the globe of which all of humanity can be proud.” – Oliver Tambo, speaking at Georgetown University on January 27 1987
Apartheid denied an entire nation’s aspirations towards a common society and identity, and left South Africa reeling under an enormous inferiority complex which hangs like a colossal, suffocating cloud over our beautiful country.
In 1994 the responsibility of governing a country was suddenly thrust on a people with a woeful lack of adequate managerial and technical skills to administer a nation.
The apartheid years had robbed entire generations of the opportunities of acquiring an education and management skills.
However, under the then charismatic leadership of Nelson Mandela, promises of a wonderful rainbow future and prosperity for all were nevertheless the utopian vision everyone still envisaged.
Now, some 20 years hence the rainbow dream lies shattered.
The country has been brought to its knees, by a miserably weak president and his ANC sycophants. The once proud ANC, now a hollow shell of its once proud legacy, tramples on the memory of its illustrious leaders in the past and drives the country deeper and deeper into anarchy, destroying all that was once sacrosanct.
Today one reads the front pages of our daily newspapers with dread: another corruption scandal, another sex scandal, an MP hijacked, another woman raped, another child murdered . . . and another inane utterance from a president who has become the focus of so much bitterness and anger.
As a country we have sunk to junk levels not only in monetary terms, but morally – a society so immune to what’s ethical that the rape and pillage of children does not even make the front pages anymore.
Our people are in a state of denial and their inadequacy to cope frustrates them to the point of once again assuming the victim role.
So the abhorrent race issue once more flares up with increasing virulence. Threats against whites are the norm.
However, it is one thing to threaten and another to make the threats a reality.
With a R250 000 watch on his wrist, Julius Malema, purporting to be the champion of the poor, rouses them to take back the land with no compensation.
Our people should stop whingeing about white monopoly with too many white managers in top positions, etc.
Why don’t our victims just legislate whatever ratio they consider appropriate of managers having to be black, failing which the business will be summarily closed down?
Our victims have the power to legislate for all vestiges of colonialism to be removed with immediate effect.
Our record of the past 23 years clearly shows that as a country we do not consider education a high priority.
We are a nation that does not rate our youth worthy enough.
We have our own learned levels, as set in our ANC top management.
Nomvula Mokonyane makes the statement on South Africa’s new junk status that “it’s actually better Western investors will pull back and we have an opportunity to bring them back on our terms”. Black Business Council president Danisa Baloyi says, “Who really cares? Many South Africans don’t have billions on the stock exchange!”
Nationalise the banks, mining industry and so on with immediate effect. Don’t threaten, get on with it. What chance does the country have when an adviser to the finance minister says that we need to become broken like Venezuela before we can rebuild?
I respect my black fellow citizens in this country as equals.
However I certainly do not respect or condone their skulking behind their inferiority complexes.
I subscribe to the words of Steve Biko, “Whites must be made to realise they are only human, not superior. Same with blacks. They must be made to realise that they are also human, not inferior.”
When I wallow in my own self-pity, joining the victim brigade for a moment, I walk along the sea next to Schoenies, the most beautiful place on this earth, and marvel at the beauty of my country.
I relive being a part of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, performing the Last Night of the Proms to a packed Feather Market Centre.
It was a performance that featured music; fellowship; enjoyment; being happy, contented citizens of this country regardless of race, religion or gender or whatever, the orchestra, choir and audience representing a wonderful cross-section of our rainbow country.
Then the vision of the Blitzbokke, world champions, embracing each other – blacks, coloureds and whites in brotherly respect – and The Kings’ wonderful exploits recently on the rugby field uniting us all with one identity, one creed, one humanity, all just plain South Africans.
I recall Biko’s words that “in time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift – a more human face”.
Talbot Cox, Schoenmakerskop, Port Elizabeth