Growth, development and societal peace will not come from one group controlling the country at the exclusion of others
SA’s nation-building project has come unstuck, with many seemingly believing the country’s diversity is an obstacle to development, growth and peace, and that the country can only prosper if led by one group. That some communities are not African enough.
SA identities are not gated communities with fixed borders; more often than not they overlap meaningfully, beyond the occasional shared word or value. Our Africanness and South Africanness is therefore a layered, plural and inclusive one based on acceptance of our interconnected differences. This means a common SA identity will have to be built as a mosaic of the best elements of our diverse pasts and shared present, our histories and cultures.
The best way forward for SA is not Afrikaner or African nationalism, but what Canadian author and politician Michael Ignatieff describes as “civic nationalism”. In “civic nationalism”, the glue that holds communities together is equal rights and a shared democratic culture, values and institutions, rather than ethnic nationalism, whether that is Zulu, Indian, Afrikaner or coloured.
A combination of lack of delivery, a seemingly indifferent democratic state and perceptions that only a few blacks connected to the top ANC leadership and whites who have the advantage of education and pre-1994 policies benefit economically from democracy undermine any nation-building efforts. SA’s political leaders must govern at all times for every South African, not one political party, faction or ethnic group. Leaders either foster the underlying values, inclusive nationhood and peaceful coexistence set out in the constitutions, or undermine them.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WILLIAM GUMEDE: SA in need of a common identity to offset effects of polarisationGrowth, development and societal peace will not come from one group controlling the country at the exclusion of others
Read more »
WILLIAM GUMEDE: SA in need of a common identity to offset effects of polarisationGrowth, development and societal peace will not come from one group controlling the country at the exclusion of others
Read more »
The law of organs: register to be tissue and organ donors, and save lives | CitypressSA needs to raise awareness about why it is so important for people to register to be tissue and organ donors, and so save lives, writes Melodie Labuschaigne.
Read more »
Home Affairs minister calls for collection of IDs before pollMinister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi confirms it’s all systems go for the local elections registration weekend and urges citizens to collect their identity documents (IDs) for participation.
Read more »
Mobile barber is a cut above the restA Cape Town barber needs assistance in spreading some cheer and restoring the smiles of seniors.
Read more »
Tito Mboweni calls for ‘real transformation’, says white citizens should learn an African languageThe former minister said if SA ignores the issue of reconciliation, everyone will lose.
Read more »