'One of, if not the most difficult challenge for any, if not all liberation movements, is that of how to make the transition from being a successful liberation movement, to becoming a successful nation builder.
From how to move from the military phase of the process, in which the members of the liberation movement are ruled with an iron fist and the inspiration of populist revolutionary rhetoric.
Against 'their oppressors' the society in which the struggle takes place. To that which is required to motivate, incentivise, and governing a now free people, to build a successful society, free of the coercive force and compulsion implicit in the liberation process?'
That beacon of 20th Century beacon of hope for the world, South Africa, is currently in the news again.
This time, not about the endemic crime rate which is afflicting it. Although it is unlikely that that problem is not continuing, if, indeed, not increasing.
Neither is it about White South Africans leaving and/or planning to leave the country, because they fear for their lives and/or their livelihoods.
Because of the increasing realisation and frustration of Black South Africans that the pace of change is not happening fast enough.
That they still have nothing or not enough to show that the liberation of the country from Apartheid has made any positive difference to their lives.
In fact, the reason for the current biggest buzz in South Africa is about choosing the next leader of the ANC, the African Nation Congress.
Is it to be the former wife of the President Zuma, or is it to be the former trade unionist, but now wealthy businessman, Cyril Ramphosa?
And there it is, this is, indeed, probably indicative of part of the problem with South Africa.
It is the "African" Congress. Not Indian, although I believe that there might still be an "Indian" Congress in South Africa. Neither is it the "White" Congress.
No, it is the "African" Congress, which, atleast historically, denoted and referred to black Africans, as opposed to White Africans.
For radical White South Africans, the South African Communist Party would probably have been their party of choice.
Since it did not, of itself, spoke the language of racial or ethnic exclusivism. And was therefore assumed to have been inclusive of all South Africa's ethnic peoples, who wanted to join the struggle against the former Apartheid Regime.
To be continued!
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