Posted on May 19, 2008 - by Justin Hartman
State of the nation: Fucked
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I’ve just watched a disturbing Photo Story on the Times Multimedia titled Flames of Hate. As violence in Gauteng spreads so does the nature of beast and now these savages have resorted to burning people alive.
I remarked earlier in the week that these xenophobic-related attacks reminded me of the township violence in the 80’s and after seeing this photo story there is no doubt in my mind that we have a civil war on our hands.
One of the most moving books I’ve ever read was about four South African photographers, Kevin Carter, Greg Marinovich, Ken Oosterbroek and Joao Silva called the Bang-Bang Club.
Their story documents their experiences within the townships of South Africa during the Apartheid era and their photographs illustrate the murderous struggle between ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party in what was the hostel wars.
Not only did it paint a gruesome picture into what photographers and journalists had to go through during this troubled time but it gave me a very harrowing and disturbing insight into the township violence that was taking place while I was playing blissfully in suburbia.
For the first time in my life really, I became aware of how brutal and savage we as a nation are and I hoped we’d never have to see the same thing happening ever again.
Cue 1994, democratic society and finally this country is given hope. Under Mandela we live the dream and never before has the world seen a country transform as quickly as it did in all aspects of life. Or did it?…
What has become clear in my mind the last two years is just how oppressed our nation feels. We lived in this cloud of euphoria during the Mandela years but under Thabo Mbeki’s reign we’ve seen very real issues come to the fore which are less than pretty.
Two core issues come to mind. First is that South Africa has the highest HIV/Aids infection rate in the world and second is that South Africa has one of the worst (if not the worst) murder rate. These two issues have existed even during the honeymoon period but it’s taken us 14-odd years to finally realise that we have some serious underlying issues that not even Mandela himself can resolve.
Cue Zimbabwe and South Africa’s lack of addressing the dictator called Mugabe and we’re now faced with 4-million exiled Zimbabweans living in South Africa fighting for their livelihood.
The events of the Xenophobic attacks the last week or so are a culmination of years of suppressed anger and frustration towards Government’s lack of providing and delivery of promises made. For 14-odd years the poor have been told that they would now finally be able to survive and provide for their families yet somehow this hasn’t changed much for them. Couple this with Government’s stance on Zimbabwe and you wonder why people have had enough?
While I can clearly see the issues I have to say none of this warrants the hatred and blood-shed we’ve seen take place since 1994 and in greater intensity over the last 7 days.
Last week my domestic worker fell victim to these attackers as she and her two daughters, all South African, were kicked out of their house, electricity cut and left in the streets until 2am in the morning. She said that two blocks up from her two people had allegedly been killed for being suspected foreigners living in the area. She also made it very clear that the attackers don’t care what nationality you are, all they care about is creating anarchy.
It is clear that what has started as an attack on foreigners is now just an attack on our freedom because these savages just want to inflict pain and fear into the hearts of all the residents of this country.
I have a very real problem with victims standing up for their rights and in turn becoming the oppressor, all the while doing as much damage as your oppressor has inflicted on you. What good is it setting a man on fire, raping women, or beating someone within an inch of his/her life? Does this actually solve anything, are you really addressing the problem?
I’m about fed up with the state of this nation as are a lot of other people. White, Black, Indian, Coloured, whatever - we all want to see a change and feel safe and secure in our country.
I’ve also had enough of this disrespect for the value of life. Senseless killing is an everyday occurrence in this country and it has to stop. As a parent I am responsible for safe-guarding my wife and two children yet how is this possible when a large chunk of our nation lacks the basic moral fibre for life?
To the ANC, Mr. Mbeki and Mr. Zuma, what are you, as leaders of this country, going to do to save this country from the turmoil we are faced with? I’m feeling hopeless at the moment and I want to feel hope once again…
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May 19, 2008
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Just watched that video, its fucked up man. I use to do outreach in some of those areas. Sad…
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May 19, 2008
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Just watched that video, its fucked up man. I use to do outreach in some of those areas. Sad…
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May 20, 2008
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its quite sad i just found myself criying.u can only imagine what that man went thru.why is there no more respect for human lives.who gave you the authority to be playin God with people’s lives.south africans are just lazy people who want to blame hard working foreigners who are willing to go the extra mile to survive.may the wrath of God fall upon these people who are doing this
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May 20, 2008
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its quite sad i just found myself criying.u can only imagine what that man went thru.why is there no more respect for human lives.who gave you the authority to be playin God with people's lives.south africans are just lazy people who want to blame hard working foreigners who are willing to go the extra mile to survive.may the wrath of God fall upon these people who are doing this
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May 20, 2008
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[...] horror of the last few day’s xenophobic violence in Johannesburg has left us all feeling shocked and hopeless. The danger here is that it’s very easy for us (and I’m speaking to the [...]
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May 20, 2008
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I agree with your sentiments and share your concern. What really frustrates me is that no-one in a position of power is every prepared to admit that there’s a problem. Issues are always down-played, ignored or hidden away. One only need look at the “Quiet Diplomacy” approach promoted by Mbeki or the recent statment from Nqakula that the police have the violence under control. Investors aren’t stupid - they have eyes and youtube.
One can only hope that it eventually becomes impossible to continually deny the issues and start facing them. We’ll all be better off and on the road to realising the dream the politicians will have you believe we achieved in ‘94.
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May 20, 2008
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I agree with your sentiments and share your concern. What really frustrates me is that no-one in a position of power is every prepared to admit that there's a problem. Issues are always down-played, ignored or hidden away. One only need look at the “Quiet Diplomacy” approach promoted by Mbeki or the recent statment from Nqakula that the police have the violence under control. Investors aren't stupid - they have eyes and youtube.
One can only hope that it eventually becomes impossible to continually deny the issues and start facing them. We'll all be better off and on the road to realising the dream the politicians will have you believe we achieved in '94.
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May 20, 2008
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[...] finger and you are much better connected, so see if you could organize something like this? Nic, Justin and Gregor, I know you guys feel passionate about current affairs, maybe you could come up with [...]
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May 22, 2008
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[...] has been astounding and even we have blogged about these atrocities on our personal blogs over here, here and [...]
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May 22, 2008
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[...] Justin Hartman concurs in his post titled “State of the Nation: Fucked.” He says the xenophobic attacks are a culmination of years of suppressed anger and frustration towards Government’s lack of providing and delivery of promises made. [...]
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May 22, 2008
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No matter how politicians may eventually try to sweet-talk the reasons for this terrible thing, is this not to be expected from uneducated, illiterate and superstitious people? Doesn’t it remind you of medieval (and modern times!) witch hunting? The parallels are striking…
What is this incompetent government doing about one of the most important crises facing the nation: lack of good education? I’m prepared to bet my shirt that better-educated people would not so readily embark on such a violent course of action.
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May 22, 2008
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No matter how politicians may eventually try to sweet-talk the reasons for this terrible thing, is this not to be expected from uneducated, illiterate and superstitious people? Doesn't it remind you of medieval (and modern times!) witch hunting? The parallels are striking…
What is this incompetent government doing about one of the most important crises facing the nation: lack of good education? I'm prepared to bet my shirt that better-educated people would not so readily embark on such a violent course of action.
Visit My Website
May 22, 2008
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Those bastards are no better than the perpetrators of Apartheid. You are no better than the animals that did this to our people during the dark days of Apartheid. You are no better than Craig Williamson. No better than Ferdi Barnard. You are Eugene de Kock.
You spit on our people who died at Sharpeville. You spit on the killing of the Guguleto 7. You spit on the deaths at the Bisho Massacre. You spit on the 27 years Madiba spent in jail for people like you. You spit on the murder of Biko. You spit on the memories of Braam Fischer. The memory of each and every South African who died and suffered for you to have freedom. Every mother. Every father. Every wife. Every husband. Every sisters. Every brother. Every child. You spit on their suffering.
No. You are not just as bad as those perpetrators of Apartheid. You are worse. Because you should know better. This has happened to you. How could you? How the hell could you? You stupid barbaric bastards. You are killing a dream. Our dream.
http://angryafrican.net/2008/05/20/terror-in-south-africa-and-the-end-of-a-dream/
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May 22, 2008
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Those bastards are no better than the perpetrators of Apartheid. You are no better than the animals that did this to our people during the dark days of Apartheid. You are no better than Craig Williamson. No better than Ferdi Barnard. You are Eugene de Kock.
You spit on our people who died at Sharpeville. You spit on the killing of the Guguleto 7. You spit on the deaths at the Bisho Massacre. You spit on the 27 years Madiba spent in jail for people like you. You spit on the murder of Biko. You spit on the memories of Braam Fischer. The memory of each and every South African who died and suffered for you to have freedom. Every mother. Every father. Every wife. Every husband. Every sisters. Every brother. Every child. You spit on their suffering.
No. You are not just as bad as those perpetrators of Apartheid. You are worse. Because you should know better. This has happened to you. How could you? How the hell could you? You stupid barbaric bastards. You are killing a dream. Our dream.
http://angryafrican.net/2008/05/20/terror-in-so...
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May 23, 2008
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[...] of these vile regimes and now we are forced to watch as these mobs roam the streets with weapons, attacking and even killing anyone who might be a foreigner. Justin makes a very passionate point that reflects many people’s views, my own included: [...]
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May 27, 2008
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As Xenophobic as South Africans…
A look at the disgraceful xenophobia exhibited by many South Africans.
……
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May 27, 2008
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As Xenophobic as South Africans…
A look at the disgraceful xenophobia exhibited by many South Africans.
……
Visit My Website
May 27, 2008
Permalink
As Xenophobic as South Africans…
A look at the disgraceful xenophobia exhibited by many South Africans.
……
Visit My Website
May 27, 2008
Permalink
As Xenophobic as South Africans…
A look at the disgraceful xenophobia exhibited by many South Africans.
……
Visit My Website
June 23, 2008
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Several comments show the sense of despair among South Africans and frustration at our government’s persistent lack of responsiveness to the various crises that have befallen our democracy. It really disturbs me that every week we face a new and serious national crisis. Since xenophobic violence a month ago, we’ve had a constitutional crisis and youth leaders’ intimidations and incitement. As of this weekend, when Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi backed Julius Malema, that issue has intensified.
I’m not sure that the state of the nation is fucked, but if we don;t act quickly we will be. We need to reorient our democracy from the top down model and build it from the bottom up, so that government is more accountable and more responsive. Pie in the sky? Maybe, but there isn;t an alternative. It’s that, or we must accept that were fucked and be prepared to live with it. I’m not.
History Matters is a new (and i mean brand spanking new) blog where we want to encourage exactly the kind of national conversation that will forge consensus about what needs doing. More than a talking shop, we want to use it as a platform for civil society activism with a view toward convening a national conference along the lines of the Congress of the People, the All-In Conference and the launch of the UDF. Apathy is always an option, but so is unfucking ourselves - and you feel better too!
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June 23, 2008
Permalink
Several comments show the sense of despair among South Africans and frustration at our government's persistent lack of responsiveness to the various crises that have befallen our democracy. It really disturbs me that every week we face a new and serious national crisis. Since xenophobic violence a month ago, we've had a constitutional crisis and youth leaders' intimidations and incitement. As of this weekend, when Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi backed Julius Malema, that issue has intensified.
I'm not sure that the state of the nation is fucked, but if we don;t act quickly we will be. We need to reorient our democracy from the top down model and build it from the bottom up, so that government is more accountable and more responsive. Pie in the sky? Maybe, but there isn;t an alternative. It's that, or we must accept that were fucked and be prepared to live with it. I'm not.
History Matters is a new (and i mean brand spanking new) blog where we want to encourage exactly the kind of national conversation that will forge consensus about what needs doing. More than a talking shop, we want to use it as a platform for civil society activism with a view toward convening a national conference along the lines of the Congress of the People, the All-In Conference and the launch of the UDF. Apathy is always an option, but so is unfucking ourselves - and you feel better too!
Visit My Website
June 23, 2008
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Thomas I couldn’t agree more. I wish you all the best with your new blog!!! Looking great BTW.
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June 23, 2008
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Thomas I couldn't agree more. I wish you all the best with your new blog!!! Looking great BTW.