Today, after a mere 17 years, the democratic New South Africa has died. Against the wishes of the vast majority of it's citizens (of all races, cultures and genders) the South African parliament voted in the Protection of Information Bill, which will give the government vast powers to control what the media prints. For a government that is always in the papers for the wrong reasons, like corruption, this is a useful bill to have. It also explains why only the ruling ANC voted for it. It is also interesting to note that the bill resembles in some places almost word for word the Information bill passed by the Apartheid Government in 1978, in what was then called Black Wednesday, a bill that the ANC then vowed to fight. Luckily the fight is not over, and this bill so clearly against our constitution which enshrines freedom of speech, freedom of the media and freedom of information, that the Constitutional Court will have to over through it. Another plus point is that this Bill has created the first issue that has truly united all South Africans across all lines against something, including some ANC stall-wards that is standing side by side with the opposition on this one. But this having been said, it is a dark day for my country, a country of whose Democratic achievements I am so proud. It might indeed spell the end of a truly Democratic South Africa. I quote the leader of the opposition, Lindiwe Mazibuko's speech from today: Mu favourite bit is this: AH http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/P...ity-to-push-through-information-bill-20111122
Very sorry to hear about that. I have a question (forgive my ignorance): what are the chances that South Africa will Balkanize? I have a friend who is from there, and she says that there is a significant Afrikaner movement that is growing stronger.
Yep, Sud Afrique is getting more like Israel by the week. Wait a minute.....don't you ..............er........... Steaming hypocrisy aside, curtailment of freedoms anywhere is bad news, New York, Tel Aviv or Durban.
@Plymouth. There is not a growing Afrikaner movement. (I am guessing with this you mean a nationalist movement? Not quite sure about your meaning.) The nationalist Afrikaner party, the FF+ has been steadily shrinking and got almost no votes in the local government election this year, and the Liberal multi-cultural Democratic Alliance received 96% of the white votes. So no, no 'growing Afrikaner' movement. @Janpor, we are confident the Concourt wil over turn, yes.But still a sad day when a government disregards it's citizens this much @Jonah, they did not learn it from me, I was 1 in 1978. Did they learn it from the previous apartheid regime? Yes, and that is why this is so sad, we have made this mistake before, and now, with open eyes, they who brought us freedom, is making it again. @ Moon. Not every thread is about Israel. This one certainly isn't. AH
No, it's about loss of human rights and freedoms and people would be well advised to recognize the ascendency of racism and fascism globally. It has to be opposed globally and opposition movements should unite globally or they will be picked off individually and defeated. The world learned a lot through the South African freedom example and freedom fighters everywhere owe South Africa a debt of gratitude which entails, at the very least, helping stomp this mushroom of fascism which has appeared in your country.
AH I shall be in South Africa for a few months in the new year and I must tell you that reads like this make me somewhat nervous. Is there hope Africanhope?
Wishing you enjoy your stay there and a safe return . I mean it sincerely. - cross my heart. Couple friends of mine are travelling by Blue Train from Pretoria + plan to spend Xmas -New Year in C.T. - I did that during the " bad old days ". An enjoyable experience . .....
Africanhope , while all "wish " your country well . IMO - for good or ill , those lawmakers in power will get their way. The outlook is rather bleak as an increasing number of Black ANC - extremists are leaning in Zimbabwe's direction. ------ As Lord Acton said : " Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" "And remember, where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that. . .....
It was reported on the news over here. It's a terrible development for freedom and democracy. What about the possibilities of a legal challenge to it on constitutional grounds? http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/Info-bill-can-be-challenged-judge-20111122
@ Cenydd. We ar challenging it, as I posted above, the highest authority in our country is the Concourt, and the opposition parties are using their legal right to take the law to this court. @ Marlowe. The ANC have not been getting their way lately, and I am still confident it will be the same now @ Liebe. Their is no violent protest over this, or an Arab Spring, so do not be nervous. I am so exited! When are you coming? Why, work or leisure? Where are you going? Inbox me, I love to welcome PF'ers to SA. And yes, there is hope, there is always hope, in Africa we know this more than anywhere else AH
Too bad you've never expressed such sentiments towards your fascist champions in Iran, moon. Your steaming pile of hypocrisy is duly noted...
Don't feel like you are being singled out because I think this is a trend that is going to spread, in one way or another, around the world. With the ease of access to information/ideas through the internet combined with the sentiment that all cultures are equal/good, it becomes difficult for governments to maintain order and control because nothing can be called "wrong." Unrest and chaos is spreading throughout the world, and governments are beginning to realize that they are going to need to clamp down on the flow of information/ideas. I don't know if they will be successful, but I think there will be some sever growing pains in the near future for all civilization.
You betcha. We are looking at increased isolation, internal repression, retrograde legislation and heightened patriotic propaganda- and that's just in America.
What this brought to my mind was our own Sedition Act f 1798, 10 years into our fledgeling existence as a Republic. It did not last, in part because of its questionable Constitutionality, but more because it became an excellent political weapon for the opposition. The otherwise venerable John Adams became our first one-term President in large part for signing this, and three other acts, that collectively became known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. I hope that your Freedoms of Speech, or however it is coined in your Constitution, prevail.
