MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Apartheid – Why it is STILL Such a BIG THING?

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As an older white male I acknowlege the sentiments of many of my white peers who continually have the attitude of; “Apartheid is dead, just get on with it!”

Just maybe the following will help my erstwhile peers to understand just why apartheid and it’s pain still looms large in our lives and still has massive influence on our youngsters as well.

Picture this: During the days of apartheid all white citizens had freedom of movement, job security, favoured employment, the ability to travel overseas AND even out of their own suburbs relatively easily. We used to go to the beaches, movies, pubs, restaurants and schools (all reserved for us) whilst we as snot nosed little brats used to refer to persons older and wiser than us as the ‘maid’, the ‘garden boy’, the ‘tea girl’ etc.

Our lives were full of wonder and safe as we did not feel the need to fight for any more rights – seeing as we had them all and held all the ACES.

Contrast the above with the life of a young black/coloured/indian person: Whilst we (White youngsters) were out ‘jolling’ until the early hours of the morning our brothers and sisters were subject to a curfew, had to carry a ‘dompas’ and were not allowed to darken the door of any of the drinking/eating/enytertainment establishments that we frequented.

Put yourself in the other persons shoes: That life of oppression is ALL that the persons suffering under apartheid came to know AND it is the only life experience that is being have passed on to their children – making for some very bitter, confused and hurt citizens who struggle to escape the clutches of apartheid misery and poverty. On the other (privileged) side of the coin we have the now adult snot nosed brats who still struggle to rid themselves of the derogatory terms that they used as children for gardeners, maids, and labourers.

“As you sow, so shall you reap,” is what the Bible says and, to this day, South Africa is still reaping the injustices of the past.

ONE of my fears is that the injustices of the past have NOT been properly interrogated and solved WHICH, along with attempts to rectify the situation, like BEE, will continue to stymie our progress as a country.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.