Racism still matters in SA

South Africans still find racial identity a major issue and a cause of conflict, that's despite nearly 20 years on from the first democratic elections. 

 

For hundreds of years the white colonisers ruled South Africa with an iron fist, but 1994 brought a new dawn for the country that was to become known as the Rainbow Nation.

 

A democratically-elected, black majority government took office and the country was hailed internationally for its new-found non-racialism.

 

However, nearly 20 years on not much has changed for some in the Afrikaner community. They claim they feel marginalised and oppressed.

 

For them black and white can never mix, and and the Rainbow Nation is mere propaganda.

 

Now this documentary – Fatherland - is opening up old wounds, and new ones. 

 

It shows young Afrikaners being trained in military-styled camps by remnants of the old regime.

 

Franz Jooste is the leader of the so-called Kommandokorps, the self-styled colonel believes this training is merely a matter of self-defence.

 

Jooste says, "There is definitely a genocide on our people."

 

"Since 1994 there's been 2000 murders on our people. We have to train our people to be ready for this."

 

But this is no means a majority view in the Afrikaner community.

 

Piet Croucamp, political analyst says, "We know the so-called ideology where black South Africans attack white South Africans only exist in far rightwing lunatic organisations."

 

For better or for worse, South Africans are governed by a constitution that favours no group above anotherand the majority of white Afrikaners have come to terms with their new circumstances and are actively contributing to the construction of a united nation.

 

For the full story on the Fatherland documentary, catch our current affairs show Africa 360.

 

 

http://www.enca.com/south-africa-life/racism-still-matters-sa