How I never quite fell for South Africa

Rory Carroll - UK Guardian reporter - has left South Africa after four years as their man in Johannesburg. In an article in the Guardian two weeks ago, he tried to unpick why my beautiful, complex, vibrant nation ended up leaving him cold. Carroll is yet another lefty not impressed with the new South Africa, decribing it as a "a boot camp for progressive ideals". He never really tells us explicitly why the country challenged his progressive ideals, and he leaves that up to us:

After almost four years in Johannesburg, the time has come to move on, and I do so with a sense of detachment. This never really became home. Partly it was running to the airport every other week for overseas trips; partly it was being white and European; but mainly it was because South Africa was such a fraught place to live. The anxiety about crime, the crunching on racial eggshells, the juxtaposition of first-world materialism with third-world squalor - it all added up.

Which is a shame, because there is much to love. This is a complex, beautiful, extraordinary country. The people are among the warmest I have encountered anywhere, smiles as wide as they are genuine. From the ashes of apartheid here is a stable, peaceful democracy with a surging economy. It is a beacon for the continent, drawing millions of migrants. I am optimistic about its future. On occasion I lost my heart here but more often I lost my peace of mind. This can be a raw society and it took a sledgehammer to some cherished liberal views on race, sex and crime. I did not enjoy their bashing, though those that survived are stronger for it. Imagine a boot camp for progressive ideals.

Read his whole article here.

Now Mr.Carroll mentions a few reasons he never quite fell for the rainbow nation. The South African crime problem has featured on this blog, and I don't wish to dwell on it again. All Mhambi has to say is that Mr. Carroll reacted like I suspect most middle class Europeans would. They really ain't used to crime, can't tolerate it and don't want to make any accomodation for it. This of couse is not a bad thing. If the UK experienced the kind of crime South Africa has, the army would have been on the streets by now. The government would have fallen.

Mr. Caroll's hesitation about dating black single women seemed less convincing.

"No way would I ever sleep with anyone from here," said an American friend.

Statistics suggest black South African women are more than twice as likely to have the virus (Aids) as white women. Condoms slash the risk of transmission - but there is still a risk. Is it wrong, then, to date only white people, or expats?

...is it just English modesty that precluded Mr. Carroll from asking his potential partners to go for an HIV test? Or was he hoping to go out on the pull for a quick shag? Well then yes, a quick shag is risky business in this neck of the woods.

The bigger issue here is the fact that black and white South Africans still don't mix, (Afrikaans and English whites don't do that much either - but thats for another day.) and this impacts even foreign visitors hopeful of shatterring through the race barrier.

Carroll is certainly not alone, and I know very few left wing South African whites with meaningful friendships in the black world (as opposed to the asian and colloured).

Paradoxically while white european (and South African) lefties in the time of apartheid visited township shebeens and frequented and lived in multi-racial hangouts like Yeoville, this ain't the case no more.

Now a mostly shallow mingling between black and white takes place in the boardrooms, clubs and bars of the rich. Black South Africans don't seem to feel the need to meet lefty whites, no matter how anxious the latter are for some real black friends to cement their fundamental beliefs. The trend whereby Africaness is increasing racially defined as not coloured, asian or white, and thus black by government does not help.

I suppose the question then becomes, what is the white left to do if it seems impossible to form meaningfull relationships with fellow black South Africans?

Aids menace

One other comment. I can understand his frustration and anger at the SA government's monstrous bungling and incompetence in the face of the Aids menace. Mhambi for one finds it hard to articulate the feelings their behaviour illicit. History will judge them very harsly.

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Secure dreams / nightmares

Secure dreams / nightmares
Originally uploaded by Wildebeast1.

...this weekend I visited my father at his brand new home in a security village situated in a town called Krugersdorp, on the western side of Johannesburg.

Apparently the value since they bought a few months ago has already shot up from 70 000 pounds to about 80 000.


...the security village is one of many popping up all over South Africa. Apparently Brazilian social scientists - when faced with this phenomena - called it "Apartheid-ization" of Brazil. Now, a friend tells me, South African sociologists call it - the "Brazilianization" of South Africa...

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Rock, Shoes and women with attitude

This weekend Mhambi was to see the Afrikaans Metal / Hard rock band Rokkeloos, but alas it was not to be. Their show was cancelled, the reason given: The drummer broke her ankle. (Mhambi was planning on chucking his underwear on stage if he was suitably impressed, but never got the chance.)

Rokkeloos has acquired quite a reputation in a short space of time. Combining hard and heavy - but well executed - rock and metal, with glamour and an in your face attitude.

Their first album: Nooiensvaart (Maiden voyage) is very good, with a varied sound and it packing lyrical punch, without taking itself too seriously. See and listen Baked beans and cocaine here.

On the subject of creative, sexy and in your face women: Here are two pics of two very interesting women photographers on Flickr (Olive and Rose), whom Mhambi has been following for a while. They too have a thing for shoes...

hugs not drugs
Originally uploaded by tetheredtothesun.

tulips unite
Originally uploaded by tetheredtothesun.

...and staying on the subject of footwaer - today the BCC reports that:

South African women value shopping above sex, survey results suggest.

Of women who took part in a "Fantasy Survey" promoted by a drinks company, 45% said they valued shopping over sex. Only 26% voted the other way round.

Three quarters of the women who took part described themselves as having a shoe fetish while 70% said they did not have enough clothes in their wardrobes. Almost half (48%) of women surveyed said men had no real understanding of their needs and desires.

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Mhambi means traveller

For those that are wondering. Mhambi means traveller and its a Zulu word. I am toying with "Soutpiel" for a name of this blog however. (Excuse the pun.) I do live and work between the UK and South Africa after all.

Soutpiel (Afrikaans: Salt cock) is the nickname given to those who live in South Africa but don't give up their links with the UK. It refers to those with a leg in Sa and another in the UK while their member is dangling in the Atlantic.

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Cape town footwear industry battling ahead after taking Chinese hit

The past week my girl friend and I visited a number of footwear factories, tanneries, footwear designers and bespoke workshops in the Western Cape South Africa. Ironically this was thanks to the names and addresses provided by SACAWU union organiser Etienne Vlok.

Shoe factory
Originally uploaded by Wildebeast1.

At a first take the situation is gloomy. China's entry into the WTO has delivered a severe blow to many companies, and those that have survived have all cut their local production drastically. They tend to focus on leather shoes which they claim the Chinese can't do. It seems the consensus among local manufacturers.

Those that are surviving seem to be doing very well supplying the local market at the moment. Very little is exported however, which will be disappointing to strategists in the SA government. Trade liberilisation was supposed to lead to a boom in South African exports.

Another thing is clear. South Africa has no shoe designing skills to speak of. The handmade shoe makers that supply the few independent shops in Kloofstreet all expressed the need for training, while the designs we saw at the factories were downright ugly.

Good news is that the SA government has identified shoe making as one of the key industries which they would like to support, so young entrepreneurs, with a sound business plan and a comfort with risk should feel free to apply for some money.

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Yellow is for danger

Barely one week into my South African sojourn and knews of the terrible impact of crime. My father's best friend, Oom Oostewald - who he met as student in England - his daugther was shot and killed today. Louisa, like her father a doctor, was gunned down in Mamelodi. The details of the murder are not clear yet, but she was car-jacked on her way to work at this Hospital in Pretoria/ Tswane's largest township.

In he 80's another doctor (and also an outsider to Mamelodi) was brutally killed in the area, Dr. Rebeiro. He also tried to help the community but was killed by the South African security police.

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Green is for go

Green is for go
Originally uploaded by Wildebeast1.

As I mentioned below, I'm about to leave for South Africa for 3 months. My girlfriend - a shoe designer - is coming to Cape Town for the first week. She's going to inspect textile and footwear factories while were there. She is interested in manufacturing her shoes and clothing in a developing country, and South Africa fits the bill.

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Back to SA for the Angolan war

Mhambi will spend the next 3 months in South Africa, to help produce and part direct a TV documentary series on the Angolan war, a war between South Africa and Unita rebels, and the MPLA Angolan government and Cuba and Russia.

This will be my longest visit to South Africa in 8 years, and I look forward to the experience. I will write down my observations about South Africa on Mhambi.

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Israel is loosing the media war

I am astonished at how brazen (or is it cavalier) the Israelis have executed their current military operation in Lebanon, regardless of how inhumane this will come accross in an increasingly media saturated and media free world.

The massacre in Qana, and the media coverage it has received, could have the same impact as the Soweto in 1976 had on world opinion.

Here is another example of the compelling but damaging blows to Israel's image.

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South African AU soldiers frustrated in Darfur

Barking out the orders is a man who would not be out of place in a Hollywood film - South African sector commander Richard Lourens.

A veteran of wars in Angola and Namibia, he is not a man who takes failure well.

Sporting a closely trimmed black beard and a macho swagger, he has been in Darfur just a few months but he has had enough of being pushed around in this messy conflict.

Large parts of the surrounding desert are off limits to his patrols and twice in the past two weeks Colonel Lourens' men have suffered the ultimate military humiliation.

Stopped by rebels on a road, the South African soldiers handed over their weapons and vehicles without a shot being fired. Some 45 machine guns and four vehicles were taken.

Part of the problem is Mr Minni Minnawi - a rebel and alledgedly a killer of other rebels, America supports and the AU soldiers are protecting. Mr Minnawi's violence has left the African Union humiliated and deeply compromised. When the deal was signed the AU had welcomed him with open arms.

The rebel leader stays inside AU headquarters, eats AU food and his men drive, and on some occasions crash, AU cars. Atrocities have been brushed under the carpet and when Mr Minnawi wants to go into the field, an African Union helicopter is made available to fly him there.

The men of the African Union went to Darfur to help protect its displaced people.

Read the whole BBC report.

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Former settlers return to Algeria

An extraordinary reconciliation has been taking place in Algeria reports the BBC. Former French settlers in Algeria are returning in their thousands to visit what many see as their home country.

The BBC correspondent joined a party of 130 former colonialists for their return to the eastern Algerian town of Bijaya, the port the French called Bougie.

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Ramaphosa back in the limelight

This article by William M Gumede on the Rhamaphosa entering the ANC presidential race has been published on the BBC news website.

He clainds that:

Shortly after Nelson Mandela became president in 1994, he recommended to the ANC inner circle that his presidential successor should be Cyril Ramaphosa.

The suggestion was declined. The group of former exiles who were then very powerful in the party were adamant that Mr Mandela's successor be drawn from among them.

They insisted on Thabo Mbeki, the heir named by former ANC leader-in-exile Oliver Tambo on his deathbed.

Mr Mandela then proposed constitutional amendments that would see Mr Ramaphosa - who cut his teeth in the domestic wing of the ANC - becoming the prime minister under an Mbeki presidency.

But Mr Mbeki and his supporters did not want a serious rival so close to the throne.

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Ons hou van melktert, breiwerk, skaapbraai en hard naai

Some South Africans have their knickers in a twist over Rokkeloos's latest lyricks, broadcast on National TV.

Ons hou van melktert, breiwerk, skaapbraai en hard naai

Complaint:

Complaint about the use of the word “naai” in an Afrikaans song, which was a broadcast of a live recording. Only very naïve persons would not realize that the word is used in its secondary meaning which is the equivalent of the English “f” word.

The complainent said:

Another flaw in the argument submitted is that "melktert" and "skaapvleis braai" is things enjoyed by women, however these are things equally enjoyed by men. My interpretation of the group’s name "Rokkeloos" rather suggest to me a group of females renouncing their sexuality (the word translated directly meaning "without dresses"). I don't see them with aprons behind the stove baking "melktert". Referring to the double meaning of the word, during the performance the lead singer mentioned the word condom on more than one occasion. This immediately deletes the better meaning of the mentioned word. I for one would like to see how stitching is performed with a condom. Point three in the report mentioned the following: "The interpretation of the lyrics is left to the mind of the listener...” When listening in how the words where pronounced and screamed no imagination is needed to interpret the real meaning. Point four seems to be using the fact that because it was a "live performance" that this makes it all okay. If I interpret their statement correctly we can go and rape and pillage as much as we like as long as it is a live performance. Looking at the time this music was aired, maybe our babies and toddlers were already in bed, my concern is our teenagers that are still awake at 21H50.”

Read the whole bruhaha here.

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Ramaphosa to run for South Africa's precidency

City Press reports that Cyril Ramaphosa is to run for president. If true, Mhambi thinks this is very very good news indeed.

To pharaphrase SA rappers Prophets of da City: Excellent! Finally a second great president!

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fokofpolisiekar - Brand Suid-Afrika

The latest track by Afrikaans punk band Fokofpolisiekar is called Brand Suid-Afrika (Burn South Africa). It contains these lyricks:

`Vir jou is daar nog messe wat wag in die bosse buite jou huis in die nag/Ons het petrol gevat en ons het al ons brûe afgebrand voordat ons aan die anderkant was /Jy kla oor die toestand van ons land, maar hoekom doen jy nie iets daaromtrent nie.`.

Knives are still waiting for you in bushes next to your house in the night / We took petrol and burnt all our bridges before we were on the other side / You moan about the the state of our country but why don't you do something about it.

The music video contains images on Ossewa Brandwag (a WW2 Afrikaner facist organisation) drum majorettes, groping in the back of a car, two macho khaki clad Boere (Boers) making out, cars drawn in a lager and lots of burning. What could it all mean....?

Rumour has it that the band has read The Afrikaners: Biography of a people by Herman Giolomee as well as Rian Malan's My Traitors Heart.

Gilomee's book has been described at such: Without downplaying the influences of racial bigotry, power politics, and economic competition, Giliomee argues that from the nineteenth century onward, the fundamental force in Afrikaner political life was a fear of cultural obliteration. That same purpose underlies Giliomee's own scholarship, which he hopes will help bring young Afrikaners to terms with their heritage and better equip them to preserve their language and traditions.

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South African police arrest more than 500 people

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African police arrested more than 500 people in Johannesburg this weekend as the country tried to clean up its image as one of the world's most crime-ridden nations, local media reported.

South Africa's high level of violent crime, among the worst in the world, has again come under the spotlight as it prepares to host the next soccer World Cup in 2010.

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Athol Fugard on ‘Tsotsi’, truth and reconciliation, Camus, Pascal and “courageous pessimism”

An edited interview from an Australian blog The Morning After with South African playwright Athol Fugard (in San Diego) on the publication of his only novel Tsotsi in Australia.

Fugard reveals he is a fan of Camus and his fondness for the concept of courageous pessimism.

Gosh, you must give yourself that treat. I owe so so much to Camus. I do a lot of reading, and I still do, but Camus was a decisive influence. If one’s going to look at influences in terms of my thinking -- whatever little things are stitched together to make a personal philosophy that works for my life and how I live it -- it’s encompassed, unquestionably, in the notebooks.

The concept that comes to mind immediately -- it remains as true for me today as it did for me back then -- what I think he defines at some point in one of his notebooks as “courageous pessimism”. The fact that the condition is ultimately pessimistic -- the one that we face as human beings in a hostile world, in a hostile universe -- but that we need courage. Given courage, there are certain things we can do which gives us dignity.

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Crime Expo South Africa - a force for good?

The websiste Crimexposouthafrica (Crime Expo SA) has ruffled a few feathers in South Africa. The site launched by Neil Watson states its aim as:

"By exposing the truth about the danger within South African borders, we aim to spark a re-think on the side of our government on the issue of safety and security. It is the duty of any government to protect all and to prioritize the right to live. Issues like sport should not dominate the right to live! Since we have notified the government and media about our intention in launching CRIME EXPO SA, the National and Safety Minister (01) apologized to the nation for his "take-your-stuff-and-move" remark in Parliament, (02) admitting that police officials lack the skills in dealing with the horror situation and (03) calling the top police structure for a meeting, A start perhaps, but not good enough. We aim to get the government to stabilize violent crime to acceptable levels, otherwise WORLD SOCCER 2010 fans are going to step into hell on earth!

A view from from a South African home
Originally uploaded by Nigel Mushet.

Already there has been rumblings about moving the World Cup to Australia because of the South African crime situation. All of them officially denied.

2005_South Africa_Centurion_DSCF0242
Originally uploaded by hmvh.

I cautiously support Crime Expo and sent them this message:

Your website can be a very useful and successful tool in combating crime effectively in South Africa. There is little doubt to my mind that the South African government has not given nearly enough attention to fighting crime itself.

Internal pressure by the media and opposition parties has so far seen few results, and appealing to another pressure group, a world audience, now amplified by the focus of the coming world cup, can be a very successful strategy.

I hope that you will stay clear of party politics and include a wide a selection of South Africans concerns on your site. That will make your site more effective. I hope your site is indeed to there to affect a change and not out of malice.

You are right to mention that poverty per se is not often the direct cause of crime. But inequality is the cause of crime. Countries that have large scale poverty across the board have allot less crime than countries like South Africa, Brazil and Columbia that suffer from inequality.

I hope that you will also focus attention on the causes of crime and how this could be addressed. It is my opinion that the majority of middel class and rich South Africans, would rather pay higher taxes and see effective government spending on social upliftment, than immigrate.

South Africa's crime figures are notoriously unreliable. But murder and car hijacking crime figures is said to be an exception. That is because of the grim detritus, bodies and insurance claims, these crimes leave behind. Both figures have been falling significantly since 1994. If indeed these figures are true, then there is a duty for us to say so and work for an even faster decrease in these numbers.

(Although it's cold comfort if you are one of the thousands of South Africans killed and raped every year.)

May I make a few practical suggestions. Make a page where victims of crime can enter their details, including the crime numbers, and the location. Investigate how these locations can be mapped.

Use blogging software for parts of your site. It will make it easier to publish news on your site and make syndication possible, but what more, search engines will pick it up easier.

Crime Expo South Africa

Crime

South Africa

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