We have mixed feelings about the outcome of the meeting at Freedom Park in Pretoria this morning. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the future of national heritage resources, monuments and statues. The meeting was called by Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, and chaired by Professor Somadoda Fikeni.
The fact that Front National (FN) got wind of the meeting only on Wednesday, and informed a number of other role players in haste to attend, did not put us in such a position of disadvantage, as did the fact that we were not afforded a lot of opportunity to speak.
This is due to the fact that the Parliamentary parties had more time to state their cases…which serves as a clear indication of why we say: The vote of our people is what gives us our voice and the argument not to vote at all is what silenced the voice of the Afrikaner/Boer people in this country.
The tide was against our case. A few examples of what was said (followed by our response)
- Minister Mthethwa: “We must rectify the injustices of the past. How do we want our public spaces to look? The landscape must change. It must be transformed. Transformation is too slow. Symbols of apartheid should not be represented in our public spaces, we should respect each others feelings”
o FN says: Minister – Why are you blaming anybody but the governing party for transformation being too slow? You have been in power for 20 years. Surely you cannot blame your own lack of performance on anybody else. Furthermore, the statues of Cecil John Rhodes, Paul Kruger, King George V…how you manage to align that with apartheid is beyond us. For pity’s sake: How do you bring a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in line with apartheid. This is utter bullsh*t! And if you are serious about respecting other people’s feelings, why then do you want to destroy their heritage? - Prof Fikeni : “Students of UCT should be hailed and praised as the heroes who stirred up the conscience of a nation”
o FN : A truly sad day when destruction and vandalism and racism becomes the conscience of a nation, Professor. We are glad to hear that, after the lunch today, you changed your tune and actually helped defend our cause from time to time. We hope that was sincere. - ANC: “Transformation is too slow and symbols of oppression should be removed.”
o FN: Paul Kruger is actually the symbol of a freedom fighter against Imperial oppression. Kindly remind us of how he, a British horseman in Port Elizabeth and the statue of the reverend Andrew Murray, the missionary, oppressed anybody? And again…who introduced transformation? Yes, the ANC. So whose fault is it that you cannot pull it off despite your more than 60% support? - Democratic Alliance: “We are a rainbow nation and our symbols should reflect that. Symbols of apartheid should not be in public spaces.”
o FN: WHAT symbols of apartheid???? As usual, just barking up the ANC tree again. As usual playing the card of pragmatic liberal politics. As usual spitting the Afrikaner/Boer people in the face. Heavens above alone knows why 1 million white people voted for you, hopefully they will wake up to realise what that blunder is costing them. - Freedom Front+ : “We should take hands and look for solutions. Diverse cultures need to reconcile.”
o FN: Yes, just another dose of useless pragmatic politics from Pieter Mulder. The solution is obvious: If there is a lack of monuments to reflect post-apartheid South Africa, then put up such monuments, but stop destroying what has been created! Was that so difficult to say? You are supposed to be the Parliamentary leader of the Afrikaner people, you were not supposed to go to a meeting which was held to discuss possible solutions and then tell the meeting that it is time to look for solutions!!! They know that! Propose a solution, for pity’s sake! As applies to reconciliation – that is what De Klerk told us as well, so forget it, we’re not falling for that one again! - Afriforum: Echoed the sentiment of the Freedom Front+ and claimed to represent the Afrikaner because of its 120 000 membership.
o FN: I regard myself as an Afrikaner and you were certainly never mandated to represent me. We have as many members on Boere Krisis Aksie. Do you claim to represent all of them as well? Opportunism and pragmatism at its best. And possibly a brand new sms-competition on the way!
What did Front National say? Marius Coertze had 2 minutes in which he stated emphatically that no majority will legally or justifiably be in a position to make a unilateral decision on the heritage of a minority group. Marius stated that we do not regard multi-racial groups such as the DA, Afriforum or FF+ as having the right to decide over our national heritage and culture and that we will not accept being bullied.
That we certainly made an impact is evident by the fact that both the chairperson, prof Fikeni, and minister Mthethwa took Wessel Basson to the side for a short personal conversation.
There is much to do, but we are positive. We now need the support of all our people, because this is going to be a long and challenging battle. Every single person need to join hands and support us, offer your knowledge and skills and time and whatever else you have. We are indeed the last Front – the others are tumbling. That much was evident in Pretoria today.
Front National Dept of Information
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