Appreciation and respect for South Africa

The majority of people have appreciation and respect for South Africa and the decision by the Dutch and British colonialists to settle in the country, a fascinating, vast dusty land. The early settlers had the appreciation of the radiance, beauty and bountiful fruit the land could offer and invest in technology, land tilling and irrigation skills. Communities were built; minerals were mined, and a structured food delivery system was created to drive the economic robustness. The early settlers paved a way for the future success of South Africa.

The success was made possible by strong and cohesive leadership, a clear vision, and a deliberate plan on how to achieve that vision. By doing this, the colonialists essentially built a new civilization and shared or imposed beliefs and traditions on the people already living in South Africa. Without a doubt, the settlers took advantage of cheap labor and established a system to benefit the entire country.

Every successful or dominant country, or tribes across the world have similar stories of migration and conquest. The settlers of South Africa appear to have been less violent than others with proportionally little blood drawn relative to other colonial activities or conflicts around that same time in world history.

The Bantu have a proud story of migration from other parts of Africa, driven by a need to find new natural resources. The Bantu influence spread relatively fast over the indigenous inhabitants as the tribe moved towards a fertile new land.

Zulu history is reasonably well understood and is a history permeated with violence and domination of other tribes. As the Zulu tribe established roots in old Zululand, the tribe soon blazed a bloody path that created fear amongst neighboring tribes. Their history is impressive, in a visceral way.

The KhoiSan who genetically is shown to have existed well before any other humans in Africa also inhabited the southern part of the continent. The KhoiSan lived harmoniously with nature and appear to have had the closest connection to the steady and ever-present "heartbeat" of Africa.

Shifting to current times, there are parallels with yesteryear. It appears today that people in positions of responsibility in the politically and racially tainted government complex have lost the connection to the rhythmic heartbeat and soul of the country, and to that of the people. The government has forgotten why people are here.

There is a different breed of people who rule South Africa today, the name given to the ruling party is African National Congress (ANC). The ANC was recognized for being a party that emancipated the black man from the shackles of Colonialist-infused apartheid. Now the ANC is known for diverting resources away from the people into private Swiss bank accounts. A party that is avoiding the hard work that is necessary to build a country in order to meet the growing needs of a nation, not the character traits people see in real leaders. The ruler today is not recognized as a qualified leader.

The ANC rulers appear to have the respect of the original inhabitants, the KhoiSan, Bantu and Colonialists had for the land called South Africa. The current leaders do not have a clear vision for how the lifeblood of South Africa, both inhabitants as well as the resources should be appropriately harnessed.  It should be done in a way that honors the land and creates a safe harbor for the citizens, and thereby respecting the essence of Africa and the ongoing support of the people.

The land is being abused and used inappropriately. It is the acute awareness of the lack of stewardship shown by the ANC as the land grows weary. This selfish horde or rulers known as the ANC spend the resources recklessly and then in a power-hungry-induced-trance, sell the treasured land and human capital to the Chinese in backdoor deals. The ANC and cronies at an alarming rate are selling the resources. Mother Africa stirs. The corrupt rulers cheapen everything the Africans know. The ANC leaders have betrayed the same people for whom liberation was fought. Mother Africa awakens.

The beloved South Africa will soon bare its fangs and turn on its rulers by sending a clear message that leadership is violating a position of power and the privilege of ruling a sacred land. The Africans are the soul of the country, who feels the vibrant blood coursing through dusty veins. Those Africans are awakening, and will rise up soon.

The Africans represent all the right stewards of the land and plan to return to the days when respect was earned the same respect that was given by the Khoi, the Bantu and the English and Dutch. To go back without bloodshed, for the ANC is but a house of cards that is about to fall, no killing will be needed.

South Africa so desperately deserves this respect. The ancestors demand this respect and the consciousness of Africans needs to be appreciated.

It is time to put water back into mother Africa so that she may provide for the people abundantly later. The people must earn the respect by giving. The people can give by finding real leaders who will give and not take.

Opinion by Menzi Solomon Shange and Laura Oneale

Source: CorruptionWatch – Corruption affects us all