I read a book today that made my hair stand up. It is a piece of historical fantasy called “When Smuts goes” by Dr Arthur Keppel-Jones, written in March 1947 – 69 years ago, about a “new dispensation in South Africa up to 2015”.
Right at the start Keppel-Jones said that his predictions for South Africa is based on three principles he encountered amongst whites: “Alles sal regkom”, “More is nog ‘n dag” en “It can’t happen here”.
Remember, this is FICTION to a large extent and Keppel-Jones had no idea of names or dates, but invented his own as he looked into the crystal ball.
1. “In view of an agreement on July 6, 1972 the Soviet Union would have no restriction on the United Nations’ intervention on South Africa” (Page 180).
2. Major-general Hoogte, in charge of the First Division, invaded Mozambique and within a week became a South African hero when capturing Lourenco Marques (Page 1983).
3. In March 1989 Mfundisi became the first black Prime Minister of South Africa. Lincoln Mfundisi was, from any point of view, one of the greatest Africans of modern times. He had not only managed to obtain an advanced education, but was a man of firm will, of absolute integrity and a born leader (Page 250).
4. His successor, Funamali, demanded the abolishment of Afrikaans as official language. His governing African National Party relied heavily on the sangomas and had the support of the Ethiopian Zion church. (Page 251).
5. Bulalazonke, the Zulu, succeeded Funamali. His hold on the ANP party machinery was so strong that that no one dared to mention his name in connection with crime (Page 264). The people of Great Britian and the USA were greviously disappointed by their great efforts since 1977. (Page 255). Russia assured the world that the SA Republic was being exploited by a new class of black capitalists.
6. A disgruntled white resident, Kwaaiman (his uncle was a Minister in President Bult’s white government) said that the black President, called Sikspens, had once stirred up his countrymen to cut the throats of all the white people. We put down the rebellion, but then what happened? England gave protection to the black scoundrels. “We called it opstokery,” said his companion Doodslaan, “There were three groups chiefly responsible – Communists, liberals and educated k…s”. “Now they have the country”, he continued; “and they are destroying it”. (Pages 257 – 259).
7. The United Nations’ report stated: “Perhaps the most depressing aspect is the very low standard of word and achievement. The trains never run to time. The manufacturers are notorious for shoddy workmanship. A contract is not a sacred obligation but an expression of the whims of the parties. An appointed is sometimes kept, but never punctually. If a roof leaks a basin is placed to catch the drops. In a shop the attendant turns away after giving a negative answer. You drive over corrugated roads full of potholes”. (Page 260). The whites are reckless with the pursuit of leisure. The field are crowded with players and the nightclubs with dancers. The same spirit pervades the world of intellect. You meet be-spectacled doctors who have never heard of Queen Elizabeth or the Hudson River. (Page 260). One would expect the citizens to be tortured by shame. But no. Criticism is resented. Plausible excuses are found for the condition of the country. Someone drawing attention to the backward state is thought a prig, a snob, an aristocrat, a racist.
8. John Dudd reported to the Swiss Red Cross: “We thought perhaps it was for the best, a native government may not be so bad. Let’s all work together for our country. What have we done to deserve this? Why have we had to suffer this?” (Page 270).
9. “It is natural that short and easy way to riches are greatly desired, such as financial manipulation, the promotion of bogus companies or the buying of lottery tickets. Importunate beggars pester the traveler in every street”. The funds at the Government’s disposal were even unnecessarily restricted by dishonesty and corruption of a mass of officials. The government was willing to to place their legislative power at the disposal of anyone who could pay the price. Cabinet Ministers have been proved to have accepted bribes directly. The police, whose eyes could rightly have remained open, were willing to close them. The native farmers who had in so many cases supplanted the Europeans had even less understanding of what was happening to the soil. The capital’s name is now officially Erautini and the Uitspan Hotel is now Hotela Labantu.
Read the original article on Front Nasionaal SA – blad
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