Nairaland Forum

The following is a letter to the editor in a South African newspaper.
Profile of the writer: White, middle aged woman (think sa lassie), lives in a predominantly White suburb.

"After reading Simphiwe Sesanti's article a couple of times(http://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/ask-what-is-african-not-who-is-african-1.1196969), trying to understand exactly what he meant by being African versus-I guess-non-African. Well, this is quite logical. However, if one is born white of Dutch parents, as I was, and brought up in the English culture, I am still a South African, as are those who are not considered black, or black enough. People of mixed race are not African no matter their claim.

If I remember correctly, Trevor Manuel once claimed to be black, but he is of course not African but a South African. I can't see much difference in claiming to be German, Dutch, African or South African when living in this great country and making this country so exciting with our mixed cultures. However, I do see that African culture is slowly being eroded as those Africans who have entered the global world thorough education, take on European or British traditions, not necessarily culture, such as "White weddings, Easter, Christmas, Halloween, sushi(zolzlolz says: "Are you sure, lady?") and Blue label.

(Pay attention now ladies and gentlemen)


Sadly, there are those who just won't accept that we are a country of mixed races, religions, cultures and languages (zolzlolz says: "Here's the pot calling the kettle black") and no longer a pure African country. This is not necessarily a bad thing. When I recently visited Senegal and Ghana where colonial or French customs and culture have disappeared and they are now African countries, and there I saw poverty like nothing I have seen even in the poorest townships of South Africa(zolzlolz says: "maybe it's because she's never been to a South African township"  ). Zimbabwe, having thrown off the yoke of British influence(zolzlolz says: "and whose president is even more British than the most British, British man), is now facing unbelievable hardship, except for those in power. Is this what we want for SA, even more hardship for those not in power?

She ends off with one of those patronising, cliched messages

Be proud of whatever you are. Whether African, of mixed blood or even white, you should just be "Proudly South African". At the same time let us celebrate Mangaliso Sobukwe and Steve Biko, whose vision of a free South Africa led to the freedom pf the people and the choice to be whatever one wants to be,even if wishing to break from African traditions(zolzlolz says: "This woman must pick up a book and stop thinking dumb. A PAN-AFRICANIST'S VISION IS NOT FOR BLACK PEOPLE TO "BREAK FROM AFRICAN TRADITIONS.)"

Will embracing European culture make Africa prosper?

WICKEDNESS AND SELFISHNESS OF COURSE!

It does not matter what culture is adopted.
The Black African brain is cursed.
Doomed. . . not compartible with ANYTHING progressive.
Blame God abeg!

shut up you dog, you man-lover.

i think Africa culture have good and bad side of it,the problem with black Africans is that they are too scared for adventure,we have so many things around us to explore for betterment of our life's, but what we saw was the other way round,evils, human sacrifice, planing evils against our fellow people, Christianity came and change many things that doesn't make sense at all,killing twins does it make sense?babies that grow their first tooth in the upper gum will be killed,Christianity stopped all that,is a shame really that another human being from different continents will come to Africa and use Christianity to correct some of our evil deeds,even thou Christianity had their own dark history which many religion as well all have their dark side,ISLAM for example came through northern part of west Africa conquering people as they went along.
There are conflicting statistics on religious practitioners in Africa,Dan Fodio was well-educated in classical Islamic science, philosophy,and that brought problems too,with his fanatical disciples, he empowered a lot of Fulani's, Hausa people was not happy about that, an Hausa man Yunfa turned for aid to the other leaders of the Hausa states, warning them that Dan Fodio could trigger a widespread jihad.

Africans are inherently less intelligent and evolved http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/fury-at-dna-pioneers-theory-africans-are-less-intelligent-than-westerners-394898.html

just ask dr James Watson or Darwin.

Rhodesia:

Africans are inherently less intelligent and evolved http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/fury-at-dna-pioneers-theory-africans-are-less-intelligent-than-westerners-394898.html

just ask dr James Watson or Darwin.

go away, your a fool, if they were less intelligent would they have been in this level in the ancient times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS4n28-JuCU
[flash=500,500]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_KeN2I_kQ&feature=related[/flash]
[flash=500,500]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTNaR_tCdbs&feature=related[/flash]

p.s. go back to the white south african thread

The problem with black people and why they never belong to top scientist in the world even in history the first successful heart transplant was a black south African,but they gave award to his white friend cos the black guy is not a doctor his name is  Hamilton Naki, but his white friend Dr Barnard claimed the honor.the reason is they saw black people as not smart enough they can read our behavior,they can manipulates us and have been doing that for yrs even doing slavery they use black to kill black that is the fact,but are black people silly?why cant black work with each other put heads together and think of things that will be betterment for their children and generation unborn,here is the link  
http://iluvsa.blogspot.com/2009/06/swiss-film-revises-south-african-heart.html
1 We cant rule each other, i mean an organised society,look at black areas in America and Britain litters all over the place,while their is road bins people can drop their trash.
2we don't help each other we don't like to see our fellow brother or sister progressing in what they are doing in life,black people have a problem of pull down syndrome,look at Africa!!too much conflicts and genocide killings and occultic cultures,hatred all these things is why Africa remain the same since centuries just 1 little change most technology are imported they don't  have any of their own,they rather  buy in ported goods than locally made goods.


How can they grow, 

ak47mann:

i think Africa culture have good and bad side of it,the problem with black Africans is that they are too scared for adventure,we have so many things around us to explore for betterment of our life's, but what we saw was the other way round,evils, human sacrifice, planing evils against our fellow people, Christianity came and change many things that doesn't make sense at all,killing twins does it make sense?babies that grow their first tooth in the upper gum will be killed,Christianity stopped all that,is a shame really that another human being from different continents will come to Africa and use Christianity to correct some of our evil deeds,even thou Christianity had their own dark history which many religion as well all have their dark side,ISLAM for example came through northern part of west Africa conquering people as they went along.
There are conflicting statistics on religious practitioners in Africa,Dan Fodio was well-educated in classical Islamic science, philosophy,and that brought problems too,with his fanatical disciples, he empowered a lot of Fulani's, Hausa people was not happy about that, an Hausa man Yunfa turned for aid to the other leaders of the Hausa states, warning them that Dan Fodio could trigger a widespread jihad.

christianity killed the spirit of Africa.

and Saarkin Yunfa realised the troubles posed by islam, especially when it became too fanatical. therefore, Bori practice gained resurgence till the 1800s until Dan Fodio destroyed everything.

when my great-grandfather was fighting the Boers, you people were still animalistic cannibals.

Rhodesia:

when my great-grandfather was fighting the Boers, you people were still animalistic cannibals.

we still are. except that we prefer white flesh these days.

Meh. The only time I care what a white person has to say is when she looks up to me watching the game, wipes off her lips, and tells me she's done.

its not our culture. Its bad leadership; i hate playing d bad leadership card but seriously its our problem.
Lets take Nigeria as a case study despite our economic situation we have countless ministers,ministers for state, special advicers for crap, countless comitees with members and chairmen, comisioners, state special advicers, local govt councilors etc
All these people get paid fat salaries with official cars and benefits. What a waste of funds! Imagine what would happen if all dat money was pumped into d economy. We import a lot, creating jobs and wealth for foreigners and dats cos only a few have money to start industries.
D second reason is inferiority complex, years back when i was in primary school, I once watched a newcast about a 9ja boy who built a car, I actually saw d car, dat kind of talent should be harnessed, govt should make sure of dat, but no no no, they would only respect d technology if its foreign, d boy is probably doing a menial job or worse still carrying arms ryt now, but he is blessed with talent dat could give 9ja an edge in technology.
Its left 4 we youths to be determined to change d story of our continent forever and to work towards it.

It is very true.
African culture is synonymous with poverty.
Especially as men are the custodians of such primitive cultures.
Eeek!

Just compare the way African people live and die to other races in other continents.

Phoooeeee!!!