A popular saying with the new dispensation dawning in South Africa in 1994, was that “everyone was freed”.
In the context of the arguments in this post, this “everyone” specifically include White South Africans. “Everyone” was able to throw off the chains of enslavement; not only Black South Africans but the Whites too. It was typically one of those “Rainbow Nation”-sayings.
We (and with that I mean White South Africans) were warned by Nelson Mandela that “freedom” will entails the total transformation of the country. The economy, organisations and society will look different in a future (in the “New”) South Africa.
However, those supposed to negotiate on our behalf, keep on reassuring us that we have nothing to fear, that our rights (as we see it; perhaps our adversaries would refer to it as our “privileges”) will be protected by the terms they will agree with the ANC.
Nelson Mandela never lied. In fact, he had an enormous capacity for forgiveness and peace. “Our leaders” lied the moment they opened their mouths. Like telling us that the 1994 agreement will “free us” as well – together with the Black people of our country.
To take my arguments further, it is necessary to ask the question: “What is freedom?”
In the context of this post, “freedom” (for me) means being free to pursue my dreams, to be treated equally, to have the same opportunities and rights of all other persons sharing my living space. It means that all will have an equal opportunity to compete for limited resources. It means that I have a right to “live” my culture, and be free in my association with others. In a broader political context, freedom means that I have the right to enhance my own interests and good fortunes.
There is no doubt that the apartheid system oppressed Black South Africans – and brutality so. They were not free, but enslaved – in that system. They were deprived of the right to compete for limited economic opportunities on an equal footing with their White compatriots. They did not enjoyed fundamental political rights. They were deprived of physical assets, such as land and housing. The right of association was taken away from them. They were not allowed to live and express their cultures freely. Government deliberately set out to destroy their cultural property. No doubt that the freedom fighters of the time had a legitimate right to resist the system; it was oppressive and brutal.
Me, on the other hand, enjoyed the right to compete with other White people for positions, freedoms and opportunities on an equal footing. Obviously, it must never be forgotten that these opportunities exclude millions of Black South Africans. Therefore, I accept that, on a psychological level, it could be argued that I gained freedom in 1994 when “the system” (of which I were part) shredded its brutality and oppression of other people.
However, on a physical level, how an earth was I “freed” in 1994?
There is a group of White South African in this country that possess enormous assets and wealth. I guess, in a certain sense, this is primarily what fundamental Black Nationalist groups have in mind when they talk about “White Monopoly Capital.” It is this group that demand that White farmers must be left to retain their land – as long as they are part of the wealthy, big land owners. The poorer White farmers must give away theirs, to meet the demand for “land reform.” I understand that this group has interests of their own – and that they do not give a damn about ordinary White South Africans. I accept that, for this group, the opening up of international markets, and acceptance by the international community, amidst severe sanctions at the time, could let them supporting (and perhaps proposing) liberating policies, without giving those that will have to suffer because of it much thought. I accept that.
And, indeed, they prosper enormously during the first decade since 1994; with a thriving global economy, liberal domestic economic policies and a world opening up, their interests expanded quickly.
But I am not part of that group. Neither is eighty percentage of other White people in South Africa. Here’s my life since 1994:
The first year or two were really not that bad. It was clear that the changes brought about, and gradually manifesting itself in society, the economy and the workplace, were necessary to address the ills (and legacies) of apartheid.
Then, in 1996, the “transformation” policies and laws started hitting us. Black Economic Empowerment severely restricted the right (and ability) of White South Africans to compete in the economy. Employment Equity legislation made it very difficult (and definitely less than equal) to compete for job opportunities. Academic institutions started introducing selection criteria what were blatantly skewed and let to many White South Africans not being granted the chance to gain education the academic abilities should have allowed them.
Subtly, the onslaught on my language and culture started.
Yet, we were still relatively prosperous; established in our careers, with a thriving economy and a degree of balance in national policies about transformation. It was manageable. However, the obeservation to be made at this point, is to remember that hundreds-and-thousands of White South Africans were relatively secured in their careers, but stuck in stagnant positions with no to little prospects of future advancement, regardless of their efforts or competitive advantages.
However, over the years the intensity of these policies (read: this discrimination) increased multifold. More than that, an additional element was added: The onslaught to strip White South African of their assets. The job security of White South Africans was substantially eroded, and their career prospects even more so.
The year 2007 was a noticeable milestone on this journey. Since then, the restrictions imposed on White South Africans by legislation regulating the employment market and business opportunities were substantially increased. The regulations issued in terms of the so-called “BBBEE” Act (2007), and the Employment Equity Act (2013) were more draconic than ever. And, with Jacob Zuma in the Presidency, the onslaught on Afrikaans, the Afrikaner culture and the cultural property of White South Africans intensify to an utterly new level.
It became increasingly impossible (note, not only difficult, but impossible) to start a new business, to find a job or to advance on a career path.
The latest milestone was 2017. In practical terms, the transformation laws and regulations currently proposed make it virtually impossible for White South Africans to compete for employment – or business opportunities; let alone on equal footing with other South Africans. The property rights of White South Africans are increasingly under threat. The Afrikaans language (and broader culture) is virtually entirely wiped from the formal infrastructure of the country.
So, please remind me again: How were I set “free” in 1994?
In fact, my enslavement started in 1994.
Image source: 123RF
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