Did the critics get it right?

Growing up in apartheid there was no way of avoiding politics.

From those who hoped to raise awareness of the plight of the black man to those who firmly believed that only the white man could impose order.

I remember spending hours and days arguing with family and friends over this. They would rebut what I was saying by citing our neighbouring counties as examples of how independence from white rule led to poverty, corruption and anarchy.

The fact of the matter was that South Africa took pains to destabilise our neighbours. This campaign included the bombing of civil installations and destruction of infra structure projects. This was my answer. 

They were not given the chance to succeed. 

Over the years my support for the struggle was unwavering. When the ANC was dragged through the front pages for corruption I pointed out the corruption in other countries, and the fact that there were dark forces undermining the country. 

Today it is clear that we are now exactly where the critics said we would be. With the daily dose of horror from the Zondo commission there is no way to defend the ANC and one needs to review one's position. 

We are new living in the country that was described decades ago by those who defended apartheid.  All that they have predicted has happened. The good will and humanity that I spoke about existed for a while, then was soon replaced by xenophobia and corruption. 

There are many explanations to try and understand how we got here and how it wasn't our fault, but the fact is that we are in a race to the bottom and at this point any of the nightmare scenarios is possible.

The worst part is that the ones who predicted this were racist cynical brutes who had little faith in humanity, and I hate to see them being proved right. 

So where does a disillusioned modernist go from here?

I take some small comfort from Trump and current international politics. 

It seems we in Africa don't have exclusivity on stupid or selfish. 

M Parak 

Feb 2021