When the phrase Economic Emancipation is brought up, so do a multitude of emotions from the full spectrum of the South African population. Words like Black Economic Empowerment (B.E.E.) and Affirmative Action (A.A.) begin to surface and people who were previously disadvantaged due to the apartheid regime begin to lay their eyes upon a glimmer of hope, something which they had been searching for since the beginning of the colonialists reign. On the other hand though, anger, resentment, bitterness, an intense irritation surface although to the untrained eye might not even be visible at all. The mere thought of P.D.I’s being on the same level as those who have always been privileged becomes infuriating.
I think on some level, be it conscious or sub-conscious, the white people in this country still believe , to this day, that they are in fact superior to black people or non-whites. If you take the time out to actually think about it, South Africa only became a democratic state in the year 1994 and from that year we can easily see that its only 17 years ago. With almost everything in life, we know that the larger the task, the longer it will take to achieve it, especially when it comes to change. Most of us can agree on the statement above. Why is it then, when it comes to the reform of this country, 17 years has been deemed or seen to be more than appropriate time to achieve total reform?
White and some black people are furious and disappointed with the African National Congress (ANC), saying things like B.E.E. is unfair and should come to an end, or Affirmative Action should be abolished because black people have had enough time to recover from the injustices of the apartheid era. People have it set in their minds that the struggle is over when in reality it has only jumped over one hurdle. Pre 1994 we faced the first hurdle which was the struggle for Human rights for everyone, now the struggle is for something that will aid everyone into feeling equal, something that will restore the pride that was stripped from us, something that will restore the honor of our forefathers and make us proud to be who we are. The struggle now, is for Economic Emancipation.
The Injustices of the past have to be corrected. It might not take a year or even a decade, but the struggle shall continue until we are all on equal footing.
--------------------- Mayi Buye iAfrica ---------------------------------