How far can transformation and reconciliation go? For some time now as South Africans we have been obsessed with this idea of transformation, and to a certain extent also the idea of reconciliation without really engaging on the practical implications of both ideas. The sad part of our obsession is that we have been talking at each other rather than with one another on these ideas.
The tendency has been to ridicule to say the least, those amongst our midst who ask critical and yet necessary questions as to why, for example we need to change names of institutions like Mangosuthu Technikon and Rhodes university. To some in the name of transformation these have been useless questions. The problem with this approach is amongst others, the fact that we are yet to agree on what we really mean by transformation. Put in another way, we are yet to be told on what transformation is and what it is not.
This is important because to my mind transformation at least as a word would encompass some sort of a change not only in appearance, but also in form; nature and character of whatever it is that is said to be transformed. I argue then that as South Africans we have tended to change the appearance of things, by either renaming them or by simply changing the personnel therein and thereof. The shortcoming of this is that we have forgotten completely the form; nature and character of these things. And more sadly in the process the reconciliation agenda has been swept aside. South Africans have we reached a place in our existence where we feel that we have reconciled and arisen above the race bar in particular? I don't think so, and I feel that if we continue to rename things like we are doing in the name of transformation we are not only narrowly defining our transformation agenda, but we are also execerbating divisions in our societies.
Reconciliation, or at least the spirit of reconciliation as embodied in the TRC, and ,most importantly on the founding provisions of our constitution expressly warn us against the evils uncontrolled anger and vengeance. We cannot be driven by the need to get equal and masquerade that as transformation. It is clear that upon close scrutiny most of the renamings of late have been, to my mind, inspired by the need to get rid of certain historical facts. I am not saying we should not rename places and institutions that disgrace the human dignity of our people but what I am saying is that history cannot only be told from one side - the position of the victor. If that is done then we are not telling history but some sort of a misplaced propaganda and/or ideology.
If we accept that Mangosuthu and Rhodes for example were bad people in history then we must let the historical archives speak for themsleves in that regard. Let the names of the institutions that are named after them remain so to remind us of that historical data. Is it not true that to know where we are going we must know where we come from? Rather instead of changing the appearance of these institutions let us focus our energies on changing their nature, form and character.
What good does it do to rename Rhodes to something else when the culture and practice of the institution stays the same. Is that not tantamount to appointing a black vice-chancelor to lead a totally white untransformed council, senate and deans of faculties? When then that VC is frustrated we are quick to say so and so has failed the transformation agenda. Nobody ever ponders the questions of the working arrangements that VC was confronted with. Is then this not politics without principles to use a Gandhi classification?
Our transformation agenda should not only be about power changing hands where it is synonymous with blacks taking over everything, but it must also be about the internal arrangements of whatever it is that is being transformed. In other words, we ought to have a holistic transformation agenda rather than the one we have now that focuses on the exterior and completely ignores the interior. If we keep on doing things in this manner then we are doing a dis-service to transformation as an ideal and effectively we do not have transformation but a process of reformation.
Now a process of reformation has negative consequences because it alienates others on a practical psychological level. And to add salt to injury it forever reminds the alienated groups of their alienation. Just how far can we reasonably strech transformation and reconciliation whilst guarding against the possibility of being pushed towards a vengeful agenda of reformation?
South Africa lets engage.
Thulani Nkosi
Chairperson, UBPA
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Mamela, the Chair speaks
Dear UBPA
On behalf of the executive and perhaps the general membership of UBPA, the Chair would like to take this opportunity to thank the membership of UBPA and as is custom also raise a couple of concerns.
If it pleases you, the Chair would like to thank all the associates of UBPA that made the trip to uThaka Secondary and executed their mandate as stated in our plan of action for this year. There is no doubt that UBPA is a playing ground of both heroes and heroines of immense talent and intellect. The Chair is convinced that the associates who were down there performed to the best of their qualities leaving no stone unturned. From this it can be inferred that the people at Wakkerstroom gained something from this experience and their lives would change for the better.
It goes without saying that we encountered a couple of shortcomings in this regard, and of course some perfectionists amongst our ranks were frustrated, but the Chair hopes that we shall learn from all that happen. Organisation is one of the most difficult things to do in modern day South Africa precisely because people no longer want to give themselves but always expect to receive something in return. As a reader in Black Consciousness and a scholar in politics generally the Chair often asks himself how would a leader like Biko, and others in this regard have dealt with the challenges we face today. Biko a medicine student at the University of Natal actually opened Zanempilo makeshift clinic in the Eastern Cape when he was under house arrest. Obviously he was assisted by other including Mamphele Ramphele. People the point here is that Biko and company did all of this out of their own initiative and expected nothing in return - yes, they also got nothing apart from death. The question then is how many of us lawyers, doctors, teachers and so on would give ourselves in this way?
To show that the Chair is not talking about and thanking fictitious people the following people deserve mention so to acknowledge the work they put in. As is custom ladies first.
Nozipho, Sikhwama, our Treasurer/ Organiser and Co-head of the education cluster thank you for having made the trip, and thank you for taking the subject of Biology in the vigor that you did. May you not tire and always respond positively to the missions of UBPA.
Fezeka, the DSG (the Chair won't mention the other portfolio you are Co-head of for the reasons that you know) you kept the fort and unfortunately ran out of fuel when the distance appeared to be demanding we say thank you for that. We shall pray that you receive strength from above to finish a task.
Mashudu, in the absence; or rather the late arrival of Sihle what would we have done with those hungry minds for the knowledge of Geography if it was not for you. The Chair sits here now and feels comfortable that he understands Geomorphology as nothing but the study of the surface area. This shows the determination you put into the subject that even a person passing by would have benefited from your insight.
Themba, the Chair is often accused of favouritism when it comes to you for but obvious reasons, but what would we have done with all those learners that wanted nothing but to drink in your mathematics fountain. Both the grade 11s and 12s benefited from your presence not only in the study of math but also the study of science, which were field that we struggle to tilt last year. We noted that you were the first to arrive on the premises of the school and that showed character and determination as you just kept on delivering on a day to day basis for the duration of the program.
Bongani, our SG the rule is simple only Mandela would spend 27 years in prison and come out to be hailed as the greatest leader of all time, but the rest of us must work and lead at the front. What economics would have been if it was not for your constant preparation.
Sihle, we noted your late arrival and the constant work you did therefrom. The Chair would hope nonetheless that you sorted out the thing about our contact details with the office of the Principal and that you shall do the necessary follow-ups in that regard. All UBPA demands of you is that once you have taken such an initiative it is only fair to see it to the end. It goes without saying that the Chair and the rest of UBPA membership shall assist you where needs be, all you need do is ask.
The Chair may have left others but that is not to say what they did was not noticeable, but time constraints do not allow the Chair to delve any deeper than this. Will the SG see to it that uMashudu has access to the constitution, that is if she still intends to enlist. It must be noted that the induction manual is still not complete and this means that we are yet to implement the resolutions of MEDUNSA. Will the SG get back to the Chair as to what actually happened with the Dance indaba that we were organising.
It goes without saying that we missed all those of our membership who could not make it for reasons beyond their control. UBPA can be conceived of as a mother with many grown up kids and when one of those grown up kids is not around UBPA gets worried. We hope that we shall be with you guys next time around. Mngomezulu you said that your profile on our website was not making you happy, so this is the time to send to the Chair the correct and proper information.
What has not been said in this mail will be said in the next. As UBPA we still hold the view that one round = one condom and one condom = one round. UBPA leads!
Comradely yours
Thulani Nkosi
Chairperson and Co-head of the education cluster, UBPA
On behalf of the executive and perhaps the general membership of UBPA, the Chair would like to take this opportunity to thank the membership of UBPA and as is custom also raise a couple of concerns.
If it pleases you, the Chair would like to thank all the associates of UBPA that made the trip to uThaka Secondary and executed their mandate as stated in our plan of action for this year. There is no doubt that UBPA is a playing ground of both heroes and heroines of immense talent and intellect. The Chair is convinced that the associates who were down there performed to the best of their qualities leaving no stone unturned. From this it can be inferred that the people at Wakkerstroom gained something from this experience and their lives would change for the better.
It goes without saying that we encountered a couple of shortcomings in this regard, and of course some perfectionists amongst our ranks were frustrated, but the Chair hopes that we shall learn from all that happen. Organisation is one of the most difficult things to do in modern day South Africa precisely because people no longer want to give themselves but always expect to receive something in return. As a reader in Black Consciousness and a scholar in politics generally the Chair often asks himself how would a leader like Biko, and others in this regard have dealt with the challenges we face today. Biko a medicine student at the University of Natal actually opened Zanempilo makeshift clinic in the Eastern Cape when he was under house arrest. Obviously he was assisted by other including Mamphele Ramphele. People the point here is that Biko and company did all of this out of their own initiative and expected nothing in return - yes, they also got nothing apart from death. The question then is how many of us lawyers, doctors, teachers and so on would give ourselves in this way?
To show that the Chair is not talking about and thanking fictitious people the following people deserve mention so to acknowledge the work they put in. As is custom ladies first.
Nozipho, Sikhwama, our Treasurer/ Organiser and Co-head of the education cluster thank you for having made the trip, and thank you for taking the subject of Biology in the vigor that you did. May you not tire and always respond positively to the missions of UBPA.
Fezeka, the DSG (the Chair won't mention the other portfolio you are Co-head of for the reasons that you know) you kept the fort and unfortunately ran out of fuel when the distance appeared to be demanding we say thank you for that. We shall pray that you receive strength from above to finish a task.
Mashudu, in the absence; or rather the late arrival of Sihle what would we have done with those hungry minds for the knowledge of Geography if it was not for you. The Chair sits here now and feels comfortable that he understands Geomorphology as nothing but the study of the surface area. This shows the determination you put into the subject that even a person passing by would have benefited from your insight.
Themba, the Chair is often accused of favouritism when it comes to you for but obvious reasons, but what would we have done with all those learners that wanted nothing but to drink in your mathematics fountain. Both the grade 11s and 12s benefited from your presence not only in the study of math but also the study of science, which were field that we struggle to tilt last year. We noted that you were the first to arrive on the premises of the school and that showed character and determination as you just kept on delivering on a day to day basis for the duration of the program.
Bongani, our SG the rule is simple only Mandela would spend 27 years in prison and come out to be hailed as the greatest leader of all time, but the rest of us must work and lead at the front. What economics would have been if it was not for your constant preparation.
Sihle, we noted your late arrival and the constant work you did therefrom. The Chair would hope nonetheless that you sorted out the thing about our contact details with the office of the Principal and that you shall do the necessary follow-ups in that regard. All UBPA demands of you is that once you have taken such an initiative it is only fair to see it to the end. It goes without saying that the Chair and the rest of UBPA membership shall assist you where needs be, all you need do is ask.
The Chair may have left others but that is not to say what they did was not noticeable, but time constraints do not allow the Chair to delve any deeper than this. Will the SG see to it that uMashudu has access to the constitution, that is if she still intends to enlist. It must be noted that the induction manual is still not complete and this means that we are yet to implement the resolutions of MEDUNSA. Will the SG get back to the Chair as to what actually happened with the Dance indaba that we were organising.
It goes without saying that we missed all those of our membership who could not make it for reasons beyond their control. UBPA can be conceived of as a mother with many grown up kids and when one of those grown up kids is not around UBPA gets worried. We hope that we shall be with you guys next time around. Mngomezulu you said that your profile on our website was not making you happy, so this is the time to send to the Chair the correct and proper information.
What has not been said in this mail will be said in the next. As UBPA we still hold the view that one round = one condom and one condom = one round. UBPA leads!
Comradely yours
Thulani Nkosi
Chairperson and Co-head of the education cluster, UBPA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
