Experiences Affecting My Outlook At Almost Threescore And Ten
Brief history of what was happening shortly after WWII in South Africa
The Land Act of 1913 was a significant cruel piece of legislation in history, negative long-lasting effects of discriminatory policies
By 1948, a political culture based on white supremacy was firmly in place. The pro-Afrikaner National Party came to power and implemented apartheid, which was more rigorous than previous segregationist policies, and encouraged state repression of blacks, coloureds and Indians.
Please note this is not my work, it originates as indicated on lower left/right source
On 26 June, 1955, some 3 000 people gathered in Kliptown, Soweto, to sign the Freedom Charter, which is the foundation of modern-day South Africa’s Constitution. Shortly thereafter, demonstrations against pass laws came in the form of the Women’s March in 1956, and the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, during which the latter whereby police killed 69 protestors.
Sixty plus years ago, on 31 May 1961, apartheid South Africa become a republic, cutting its ties with the British Empire, President Swart first president elect after a close win of 52% to rule through to 1994. Prime Minister Verwoerd ( introduced Apartheid name, died 1966 in assassination.) wanted South Africa as a Republic ruled by the Afrikaner, free from British Empire. How often I now reflect, had Jan Smuts become our first President with United Party, what the country would have looked like, which my Dad and Mom mentioned.
1961 at six years old now in grade two, as children we had to present our schools in full uniform at designated places to celebrate the day, what many never realized was the massive difference between 'whites' being separated in schools during formative years English where we simply marched in formation then seated on the lawn, Afrikaans children partook in Vokspele which we were simply silent onlookers.
Segregation in colour groups was as horrific, within White groups many felt uncomfortable very few mingled.
I rambled all the time. I was just like that, like a rollin' stone. - Muddy Waters
1972 schooling years over, move over rover now to start in the real world, flew through bookkeeping machines course with flying colours then requested to fill for one of the lecturers for two moths while she went on maternity leave, nice to save knowing Mom was planning to take us overseas in 1974. Finding work did not take long, first position with a company called Peter Rothenberg - Instrument Technicians (had an office in World Trade Center Twin Buildings) , followed by Globe Electrical constantly working my way up through the ranks. Fair practice I witnessed when working with Jewish owners or management, black colleagues were given positions of responsibility, respecting both law and people.
Systematic racial segregation remained deeply entrenched in South African society, and continued on a de facto basis. Now lets get back to 1974 trip overseas with Mom and little Sister, first thing I noticed were rows of houses with chimney stacks, TV aerials and white men collecting dustbins (Song 'My Old Mans A Dustman'), a massive hit over the head, realizing what technically at home was a black mans job, everywhere else this was someone respected by communities for the task he performed.
Journey started my realization of right from wrong, as clear as a bell in dead of night, travel once again in 1978 now married we came across some folk interested some shunned us on the spot, blaming all whites for the evil deeds in our land. Little did they know we were actually friends over all colour spectrum, religions, trying to work together to break away with little or small effect.
Border war where our brothers, friends were conscripted, the 'border war' effectively was West/East with USA supporting South African Government, ANC treated as terrorists funded and supplied by Russia. Suddenly USA pulled the plug on South Africa, followed exactly the same path we witness with Palestine currently marches in foreign cities against people, sanctions etc. Sanctions had little to no affect, much like Russia today, find a way to keep going.
We witnessed Zulu chasing Xhosa out the Province in 1993 keeping my children indoors with main road in front of our house a river of angry humans was tangible and frightening. Voting 1994 a successful promise of renewal, 1995 World Cup Rugby brought the people together raising hopes even higher. Look at where we are now, 2024 voting for change once again ringing out true to words I said last month, "If the ANC does to you what the Apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the Apartheid government." - Nelson Mandela, Cosatu Conference, 1993
Extreme expense brought to bear 1999 to 2000 with computers (MicroSoft) Y2K fake news ran like wildfire, clocks changing into new century planes would fall out the sky, no electricity, no computers, what a disgusting thing to do! We survived, keep your eyes wide open with AI!
9/11, residing in Durban for many years, news arrived on a TV at our offices of the World Trade Center being hit. My first reaction 'I wish America would stop interferring in everyones lives, take care of themselves', apologies to my American friends we had seen enough from a distance to know much more than many realized. Event was devastating in many ways, blow back was security imposed everywhere, going through x-ray machines to travel, no entry to harbours to see boats coming and going, no easy access to open areas to watch aeroplane arrival and departures, thanks to that event the world started to change forever in my opinion. This in no way meant I thought less of the Western nations, nor what we had come to know as a better way of life.
Ground Control to Major Tom - David Bowie original song 'Major Tom', yes the proof is slowly being extracted, exploitation of human trust with a 'scamdemic' of proportion! Living through the harshest lockdowns a song emerged bringing some joy to our country, then the world. This eccentric video popped up on my Twitter feed, TV then everywhere, something positive Jerusalema Dance Challenge - By Fenomenos do Semba Tears rolled, along with my absolute love of the people, as ten or fifteen in a home locked up, no, no never again! I thank the people that did not want the jabs, never trading their equal rights, freedom of speach, no more WHO, WEF, NATO this world needs big change, not the big "reset" the enoumous "rethink"....
Plant your love and let it grow - Eric Clapton
April 2022 saw the worst flooding to hit KwaZulu-Natal we were jumping from the frying pan into the fire! Empty promises of relief seldom arrive for the people, groups of people of all denominations dig deep to help stave the starving of impoverished.
"National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) is the party's chief executive organ." Changed rulings more often than most change underpants, at a whim we had prohibitions on many crazy items inviting illegal products into the country, now it is rife! Never allow one party so much power....
July 2022 when returning from a week on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal well informed of imminent danger with Jacob Zuma going to jail, we watched out the window driving back unravelling outside Richards Bay. Not knowing for the next few weeks we would be assisting each other in communities to protect our towns, again all South African's stood together as the Police inadequately equipped, the Army nowhere to be seen.
Many countries voting currently, make it count! 2024 has brought about change, here in South Africa let us wait to see once again, first 100 days normally a good indicator, so far so good toward a more balanced outcome in Parliament, Thinking out loud, when did Servants of the Country think they rule like Kings or Gangsters?
Summarizing long winding road, not easy to condense a lifetime, feelings of disgust, amusement, terror, sublime and ridiculous all wrapped up into one hell of a journey, it has been fun with many enjoyable highlights.
Observation and experience should be passed onto next generation, word of warning to avoid actions proven to be avoided. Each age will experience slightly different, rolling information into a format most are able to read executing their plans to move forward into future world.
'Every young man has a right to interrogate an aged man as to what life is, and what the world is.' I know I badgered my parents to try extract as much information as possible for your own good when young, they won't be around forever then the knowledge is lost. Each generation will encounter change, good to know history to assist us in the present. Never regret always learn by experience.
My answer to @ericvancewalton question - How Has Your Country Changed During Your Lifetime?
All collages and pictures (except where indicated) are my own, words my own trying to summarize life in a nutshell by a human!
Thought for Today: "The wise traveler leaves his heart at home." - African Proverbs
