I recently saw this picture of an old flyer. It was part of the communication during the referendum on ending apartheid that was held in South Africa on 17 March 1992. The referendum was limited to white South African voters, who were asked whether or not they supported the negotiated reforms begun by State President F. W. de Klerk two years earlier, in which he proposed to end the apartheid system that had been implemented since 1948.
The image that was shared on social media, implied that if the “NO” vote was successful in 1992, the current issues faced in South Africa, due to ongoing corruption by the ANC Government, would be null and void. The suggestion horrified me! A no vote would also have meant an inhumane system would have continued, oppression of human rights would have continued, uprising of people and death on a grand scale would most probably have been the ultimate outcome.
I voted “YES” and if I had to choose I would again. I will advocate for each person to have the right to equality, free speech, choice and dignity – I will voice my opinions load and clear be it against the idiotic apartheid government OR the corrupt ANC government. The believe that oppression of people (based on colour, religion or gender) can be any sort of solution is fundamentally flawed. The current ANC government is renowned for using the “due to apartheid” excuse whenever their backs are against the wall in any given situation. It is sad that now when a perfect opportunity is presented for South Africans from all cultures, social groups and political parties to stand-up together some are still willing to dig up the same outdated rubbish from more than a quarter century ago.
There is a saying: “Don’t look back you’re not going that way.” Politicians divide and conquer, lets not play straight into their hands. At the end of the day citizens who stand together have the power to sculpt their own reality.
