RANJENI MUNUSAMY: Why Obama's speech matters in South Africa
'People just make stuff up. We see it in state-sponsored propaganda. We see it in internet-driven fabrications'
EXTRACT
I saw a message on my Twitter timeline this week that said the reason "the public does not like Mandela" was because the ANC had named so many things after him. The message was being repeatedly affirmed, not contested.
I longed to ask which "public" this was and what basis was used to determine that Mandela was not liked.
It is difficult to argue with people who refuse to consider the complexity of South Africa's transition to democracy and believe that the liberation movement surrendered to the will of apartheid rulers in order to secure a quick fix.
The disparities in society, unacceptable failure of the democratic government to break the cycle of poverty, and botching of processes to ensure equitable redistribution of resources mean that Mandela and his generation have to take responsibility for the state of the country now - even though they could not have foreseen the future.
If you have been alive long enough, you tend to notice how every generation assumes that it is the most relevant, defining epoch. Each new generation believes it has the ability to change the course of history and correct the mistakes of those who went before. In reality, humankind has begotten a succession of horrors, progressively devastated the planet and produced world leaders who obviate such dreams. Occasionally, though, one leader would come along and inspire hope and leave a positive imprint on history.Until a few years ago, Nelson Mandela was universally considered to be such a figure. But some people in our country - and it is only in South Africa - now view him as a "sellout". They also believe that those of us who cherish his memory and celebrate his legacy are "problematic", in denial of current realities and indulging in misplaced idolatry. I saw a message on my Twitter timeline this week that said the reason "the public does not like Mandela" was because the ANC had n...
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