In our efforts towards self-determination, the Western orientation plays an enormously important role in explaining the differences in policy and approach of the current political parties within the Parliamentary setup (ANC, IFP, EFF, COPE, DA as opposed to the FF Plus to a certain extend). It is also the differentiation between the life orientation of the Afrikaner/Boer people as opposed the African. Political philosophers would argue that there are predominantly three elements differentiating the western civilisation in South Africa from the life orientation of the black person in South Africa.
Rational investigation: The Westerner has an inbred rational investigative approach to study and gaining knowledge and teaching in the fields of philosophy, history, literature, communication, poetry, medicine, music, logic and grammar. These spheres are continuously being investigated by questioning and critical thought. The Westerner are constantly looking for an understanding into the relationship between God and man, religion and reason. The Westerner approaches technology as a resource to be developed to improve the standards of life. There is a search for individualism. The rational thought processes of the Western person is reflected in art creating a wide genre of music, performing arts, creative arts and architecture.
Religious ideals: Westerners are, by nature, the investigators of the relation between God and man, faith and reason. The Westerner believes in the separation of State and Church in the political field and that those exponents of authority should be an extension of each other, rather than be oppressor of the other. In fact, in the Western approach, freedom of religion is protected, but not equality of religion. Western civilisation is the only one approaching religion with a firm belief in freedom of speech and academic freedom to be applied in researching and debating matters of religion freely.
Nature of the State: Western life orientation emphasizes democracy, and independent judicial and equality of people in the eyes of justice. It believes in the concept of citizen, rather than subject, equality of the citizens of a State, individual freedom of the citizen, civil rights, the free market economy and communal government.
We can now test this universally well-known analysis of Collingwood by measuring the New South Africa against it.
When we look at the three aspects listed above we find ourselves in a direct and unquestionable opposition to the current South Africa for the following reasons:
While the person with a Western orientation constantly move rationally forward in terms of education, medicine, music and communication, the South African education system, currently based on African principles, came to a grinding halt. There is a movement backwards to traditional healers and a regeneration of traditional music focussed on traditional kwaito and absorption of Afro-American rhythms. In the field of communication, Westerners are tuned into rational debate on all levels, while the current culture of South Africa is rooted in traditional habits such as “imbizo”, striking, toyi-toyi and handing out of cheap gifts such as T-shirts to gain support.
While the Western custom is to believe in freedom of religion, but not in equality of religions, that is exactly what the African orientation demands. All forms of religion, from satanism, Islam, worshipping of the ancestors, sectarianism can claim equality. Some of these religions, notably Islam, are highly oppressive in non-Western countries, yet in South Africa it is actively promoted!
The Western consideration of the State regards the citizen as building block of democracy. In South Africa the primal point of view regarding the person as subject of the state rather than citizen, is predominant in the post 1994 era. The independence of the judicial system is constantly under pressure through government meddling. There are regular attempts to “Africanize” the Roman-Dutch legal system and the freedom and equality of the citizen is viciously undermined in through legislation such as Affirmative Action, Black Economic Empowerment and sport quotas. The free market economic system is threatened by land reform, rumours of nationalisation of mines and industry, unrestrained involvement of Red China and government involvement in the business sector.
We remain convinced of the fact that our urge for self determination and freedom is deeply rooted in our Western life orientation and civilisation, which distinguishes us from the orientation and culture of the African. To let go of our history and our heritage and meekly adapt to that of tribal Africa, cannot hold any good prospects for us. It can in fact only serve to the destruction of everything which makes us who we are.
In accepting the African point of view, by definition one also accepts the following:
The disgusting habit of polygamy as practised by Jacob Zuma and his henchmen
The laying aside of individual responsibility in favour of group responsibility. In other words, Zuma and Malema can never be held accountable.
The movement to the African style of canvassing for political support, such as Helen Zille’s disgusting kissing of all and sundry and preparing porridge on open fires to claim unity with the African spirit.
The recognition and admittance of the fact that the inability towards innovative thought and challenging existing perception has become the norm and that it is good.
That is why self-determination is the only viable solution for the survival of the European, Western minority in South Africa. The differences are too vast. There can never be a unified life orientation in this country.
Read the original article on Front Nasionaal SA
South Africa Today – South Africa News
