Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State
By Odudu Abasi Nicolas Edet
This piece is to reiterate the recent calls for the Akwa Ibom State
Commissioner of Information and Social Reorientation, Hon Aniekan
Umanah to resign his appoint forthwith over his involvement in a brawl
with two prostitutes few weeks ago, as this is seen as a
professional misconduct
“While the two ladies were fighting, Aniekan Umanah was busy putting
on his clothes. By the time he had the chance to calm down the two
ladies, the head of his mistress was split open by the prostitute; she
bled profusely. Sources say Aniekan panicked. When Aniekan Umanah
tried to leave the room through a window, his mistress caught him on
time by grapping his shirt…” – Dr. T. Essien
Some may ask where his so called security men (cult boys?) were before
his mistress knocked and walked into his room where the “prostitute”
was in bed ready for the show, or after the first round, or in the
act, or whatever; but one must remember that these cultist-kingpins
who are destroying Akwa Ibom State are like kids who have overbearing,
imposing and no-nonsense mothers. They quiver before their spouses
like those kinds of kids, particularly when caught in their
wrong-doing – when caught at their usual philandering acts, to be
exact about the type of wrongdoing in a sea of wrong and infantile
deeds by these men!
They go to great lengths to hide their affairs from their so-called
security aids. It is possible that Aniekan Umanah may have ordered his
so-called aids (cult boys?) to disappear while he was preparing for
his illegitimate sexual trysts.
It seems as if these men, because of their insincerity to their
spouses, and because of their penchant for cheating, and because of
their insidiousness, and because of – – – are in the habit of
always doing away with their security agents, cult-boys or not,
whenever they are engaged in activities which they deem must be kept
away from the knowledge of their spouses and from the public. The
story is told by an AIDN member of seeing their king of cultist,
Godswill Obot Akpabio, on one of such philandering missions
somewhere in a Texas city he refused to name, as if many do not know
that Godswill Obot Akpabio visits Houston quite often, without his
security guards.
We remember also Ekpenyong Ntekim’s explanation of what Mr.
Ntekim inadvertently gave away as a totally suspicious explanation in
the death of Onyong Etim Asuquo. This is what Mr. ntekim said: For
the avoidance of doubt, upon arrival at the Hospital, I was briefed by
the aides of late Pastor Oyong led by Ebute, that he left his Oron
residence at about 3am for Uyo, driving alone and was followed by the
aides in a separate car, with less than 10 minutes interval between
them”. One of the major questions asked then was: “why ten minutes
interval between the protected and the protectors at 3.00AM?”
Needless to say that Mr. Ntekin disappeared without answering that
question.
Here again, the usually loquacious Aniekan Umanah has disapperaed.
One of Aniekan Umanah’s gifted talent as Commissioner of Information
is his disappearing act, when either caught lying, or whenever any
questions that would highlight such lies are asked. These men all
know their onions when it comes to lies and to their nefarious
activities!!
If they feared God as much as they fear their legal partners
(wives) by hiding their extra-marital sexual escapades, they would
have done well for the State as government officials. Their trust
rather are in the amount of lies, deceit, blind trust in the cult as
an instrument of getting them into illegitimate power and wealth, and
in their over-bloated confidence that they can outwink anyone. Greedy
sycophants, sectional sing-song artists, political jobbers and
disgraceful beggars for political favors and positions are always
left to defend these insidious characters by attempting answers to
questions avoided by their masters; or by trying to explain away what
their masters cannot explain; like this disgraceful sexual conduct
with a “prostitute” by Aniekan Umanah.
In a country where the Rule of Law precedes all else, Aniekan
Umanh would never have remained a public servant to this day; but in a
country where the chief servant and cultist acts as the chief master
and ‘Don” of all other “mafiosi”, these are the kinds of men who wield
power by terror, ducking for cover when caught in acts such as Aniekan
Umanah has been caught. Nine days the thief has; the tenth belongs to
the owner of the field which he or she had been plundering. The
philandering men and women of the Akpabio administration have
forgotten that their acts cannot always be hidden from the public,
or from their spouses, despite denials by them or by their boi-boi
greedy probationists and law-breakers!!!
I will therefore join thousands of Nigeria to sincerely call on
Aniekan Umanah to honorably resign his appointment as Commissioner of
Information and Social Reorientation to stop further call
embarrassment to himself, the state and the government.
Information reaching 247ureports.com through security sources attached to Operation Yaki indicate that the security situation in Kaduna has worsened and degenerated to a near jungle warfare. The is as available information indicates that reprisal attacks continued beyond the State imposed curfew of 6pm to 6am – and the federally imposed patrol of men of the Nigerian Police Force [NPF] throughout the State by the orders of the Inspector General of Police [IGP].
As gathered, attacks were ongoing as at 11pm at southern Kaduna state areas of Kakuri, Barnawa and Nasarawa – with significant casualties reported. It is uncertain the details of the latest outbreak of violence. But an eyewitness told our correspondent that there appear an influx of Muslim youths from outside the State – from areas believed to be Borno and Mubi area of Adamawa State. The eyewitness states that the youths appeared armed and battle ready.
The police and the joint task force [JTF] on their part have been engaging the angry youths [believed to be men of boko haram] in a heated but sporadic gun battle – since the evening of Monday June 18, 2012. Unconfirmed source reports that the security forces may have been shocked and/or shocked by the resilience of the angry Muslim youths who appeared heavily fortified with ammunitions that matches favorably with that of the Nigerian security forces. The security forces were also armed with a police helicopter.
“Somehow these boys brought down the new copter” exclaimed the shocked police officer who spoke to 247ureports.com from the field – indicating that the men of the police had called in the helicopter to use for the purposes of enforcing the curfew and for the purposes of ensuring the calm in Kaduna remains intact. But the angry youths believed to be either Muslim or native youths shot the helicopter out of the skys and brought it down. It is uncertain if the occupants of the copter survived. “This has turned to something else“.
Meanwhile, the non-natives to Kaduna have begun leaving Kaduna in drooves. The popularly used transport park, the Mando Park was said to be busy with travelers heading out of Kaduna. Other non natives who have decided to stay are reported to have armed themselves in readiness to defend themselves.
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In a related development, the President and the Commander in Chief of the armed forces – is scheduled to take off to Brazil today [June 19, 2012] for a Business meeting.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will depart Abuja tomorrow to attend the United Nations’ Earth Summit, RIO+20, opening in Brazil on Wednesday. President Jonathan will participate in the Summit’s four plenary meetings at Riocentro Plenary Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as attend a reception to be hosted by the Brazilian President for Heads of State and Government at the Summit” – stated the presidency as it announced to the press the President’s scheduled trip to Brazil. The announcement signed and delivered by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati on evening of June 18, 2012.
Amazingly, as the president’s media point man released the above media statement of the President’s plans to travel to Brazil, three regions within the geo-sphere of Nigeria were reeling from bloody affair that has resulted to a casualty count of near 130 dead citizens of Nigeria through the mechanizations of bandits that have repeatedly wreaked havoc against the nation and her people. And the President had shown signs of helplessness in the face of the Islamic terrorist group. His latest action of jetting off to Brazil for a soft business jamboree against the ongoing anarchy unfolding in three regions of Nigeria depicts a leader with misplaced priorities.
The presidential press release further reads, “The President will use the opportunity of the Summit to declare open the Nigerian/Brazil RIO+20 Business Forum, and also hold talks with selected Brazilian businessmen and captains of industry. While in Rio De Janeiro, the President will meet with representatives of the Nigerian Community resident in Brazil, and return to Nigeria on Friday. President Jonathan will be accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Governors Ibrahim Shema and Seriake Dickson of Katsina and Bayelsa States respectively, as well as Sen. Benedict Ayade and Hon. Eziuche Ubani of the National Assembly. The Ministers of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya, Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Niger Delta (State) are on the entourage.”
But the President’s supposed business trip comes without balanced reasoning.
On Sunday, June 17, 2012, multiple bomb blast in Kaduna State, the home state of the vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria took the lives of church goers – and sparked a reprisal attacks by Christians who have long harbored the feeling of helplessness at the hands of the federal government. The incident on Sunday saw as estimated 100 dead persons and an additional 163 injured. According to reports, law and order in Kaduna was near breakdown – causing the State governor to declare an abrupt 24hour curfew across to avert the unfolding street fighting between Christian and Muslim youths in the various localities in Southern Kaduna State.
Simultaneously, on the same Sunday, mayhem was brewing at another region of the country – the south south region – the home region of the President of Nigeria. The Igbinedion University at Okada in Benin, Edo State saw unknown group of men armed with machetes and other dangerous weapon – beheading students in their hostels and destroying buildings and parked vehicles. The mayhem appeared unprovoked and without prior warning. The school campus turned into a bloodletting campus as the student scattered around in search for safety. The siege at the campus did not come under control of the law enforcement officers until late in the evening of that day. The number of dead and injured is not available but it is expected for the number to include many dead and injured students.
Then today, Kaduna reignited on fire as the State government relaxed the curfew from 24hours to 6pm to 6am. The Muslim youths clasped with the residents of Barnawa in Southern Kaduna State. Bloodshed was averted through the quick response of the security force stationed in Kaduna State. As the Kaduna fire was being put out, another fire started at another region of Nigeria. The fire stated at the capital of Yobe – with 15 bombs reportedly detonated by the dreaded Islamist terrorist group at innocent citizens of Nigeria. Gun battle between the men of Islamist terrorist group and men of law enforcement were also reported at the capital city. Casualty count is not known but eyewitness account estimate that the casualties maybe high.
The President is scheduled to be away from the country till the afternoon of Friday June 22, 2012.
One of President Obama’s former Harvard professors is calling for the president’s defeat in November, releasing a scathing video in which he accuses the president of abandoning America’s workers while pushing a policy of “food stamps.”
The video by Brazilian scholar and politician Roberto Unger serves as an indictment of both parties. But in it, Unger says Obama must be defeated in order for the Democratic Party to restore itself “as the vehicle for the progressive alternative in the country.”
Obama, he said, has not advanced that cause.
“President Obama must be defeated in the coming election. He has failed to advance the progressive cause in the United States,” he said in the eight-minute video, titled “Beyond Obama” and posted to YouTube.
“He has spent trillions of dollars to rescue the moneyed interests and left workers and homeowners to their own devices,” Unger said.
Obama, when he attended Harvard, took two classes with Unger — Jurisprudence and Reinventing Democracy, according to David Remnick’s book “The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama.” Unger continued to correspond with Obama via BlackBerry going into the presidential campaign, Remnick reported, though Unger said he never became Obama’s “friend” and kept his distance from the then-candidate out of concern that Unger’s own “leftist” leanings might do “harm” to Obama.
In the recent web video, Unger’s accusations against his former student become increasingly caustic. Toward the end, the professor claims Obama pursued health care reform at the expense of economic recovery.
“He has subordinated the broadening of economic and educational opportunity to the important but secondary issue of access to health care in the mistaken belief that he would be spared a fight,” Unger said. “He has disguised his surrender with an empty appeal to tax justice.”
He went on to say Obama “reduced justice to charity” while embodying a policy of “financial confidence and food stamps” and a “politics of hand-holding.”
Unger wasn’t exactly thrilled about the thought of a Mitt Romney presidency, either. He warned that should Obama be defeated, “there will be a cost for his defeat in judicial and administrative appointments.”
But, he said, the risk of “military adventurism” would be the same under either Obama or Romney.
Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the dreaded Islamic terrorist group, the boko haram may have detonated 15 bombs this evening at Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State. As gathered, the detonation of the 15 bombs followed the alleged killing of one of Boko Haram’s member in police detention.
Reported gunbattle by eyewitnesses was heard immediately following the bomb blast.
The casualty count is unknown as details remain foggy.
The Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigerian (CHAIN) based in Kaduna State has reacted over the Sunday suicide bombings in the state. While the organization does not support citizens who take the laws into their hands it strongly faults, in the strongest terms, the reaction of the Speaker of House of Representatives Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on June 17th on the bombings of churches in Kaduna and sees it an unhealthy approach and deviating from the reality. Boko Haram’s insurgency against Christians in the country is something every person abreast with issues in Nigeria is aware of and this has continued unabated. It added that while the House of Reps under the leadership of Tambuwal has failed to take any concrete steps to ensure the safe guard of lives and property of Christians who have been killed in thousands during worship service on Sundays, the Speaker’s statement seems to be more concerned about the reprisals attacks carried by some youths which is clearly the result of continuous and unabated bombings of peace abiding Christians than the factors that caused the reprisals. Meanwhile CHAIN makes a clarion call on government to work and bring to an end the attacks against Christians and their Churches in northern Nigeria.
CHAIN wishes to remind the Nigerian public and the Presidency that Tirkania, one of the areas a church was attacked, is said to be area where one suspected Boko Haram sponsor, who was arrested and released and the case has remained silent, lives. The understanding of CHAIN is that the Presidency needs to clean up its house as we cannot be sure enough has been done to counter this increasing threat to the rights of freedom of worship of Christians in northern Nigeria.
CHAIN calls on public office holders in the nation to desist from making partisan statements on issues of national security. We also have on good authority the propaganda been used to cover the issue of Sunday 17th June bombings as many, suspected to be Muslims, snap photos of dead and wounded Christians posting them as Muslim victims. This kind of action does not work for public good for a situation covered and the truth denied does not lead to any lasting solution.
We call on all peace loving people of Kaduna to comply with the government especially on the curfew for a return to total peace in Kaduna State and the nation.
Signed: Pastor Caleb Ma’aji, National Coordinator.
Edo state commissioner of Police Olayinka Balogun has statedthat five students of Igbinedion University, in Okada have been arrested overthe crisis that rocked the university on Sunday.
Speaking with journalists in Benin on Monday the Policecommissioner admitted that there were clashes among some rival cult groups butsaid no live was lost. He also denied reports that dangerous weapons were usedduring the clash.
In the same vein the authorities of the Igbinedion University has said normalcy has returned tothe University after the Sunday clashes and that academic activities hadresumed.
The Vice Chancellor of the University Professor EghosaOsaghae in a statement in Benin on Monday sid ‘we wish to inform all ourparents and the general public that contrary to media reports there is no cause for alarm in our campus. Thesecond semester examinations are in progress and staff and students are safeand going about their normal activities’.
The Vice Chancellor said ‘the fact of the matter is that in the early hours of Sunday 17thJune 2012, there was misunderstanding among students following damage to thevehicle of one of them outside the university campus in Okada town. This unfortunateincident elicited unwarranted reprisal that involved damage to other vehiclesby the aggrieved students and friends. But actions ended up in agitations andskirmishes but thankfully no life was lost’.
The statement further stated that the university iscurrently investigating the matter and addressing the incidence in accordancewith its laid down regulations.
The outbreak of fighting between the Muslim youths and Christian youths started as a result of the relaxation of the 24hour curfew to 6pm to 6am. As the residents began attending the market place it resulted to exchange of angry words.
The violence was triggered, according to credible sources; by Muslims youths began throwing stones at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church located in Barnawa town. It resulted to reprisal attacks by the native youths.
The attackers are said to be Okada riders mainly Muslim that reside near the suburbs of Barnawa. The residents of Kaduna are said to be deserting the cities and towns to safety. “There is tension everywhere” said a police officer stationed near the marketplace who explained that the current fracas appears to be “the main thing”. He added that the youths from both sides of the divide are well armed and angry enough to stage the unfolding fight to an unpredictable end.
A resident of the area, Nuhu Bityong told our correspondent that, “As many people went to shop, coupling with the tension that resulted from the Bomb Blast, some youths regrouped themselves and started throwing stones at each other closed to the Holy Family Catholic Church Barnawa. The security men acted promptly and no one was killed.”
Confirming the incident, Kaduna Police Spokes Man Aminu Lawan said that some youth started grouping, throwing stones at each other shortly after the curfew was relaxed adding that no casualty was recorded as the security men on patrol acted promptly and dispersed them
“When they started regrouping shortly after the relaxation of the curfew, our men on patrol disperse them. But for now, the situation is under control,” Lawan said
Already the Gurara Forum, a powerful Christian forum based in south Kaduna – released a strongly worded statement calling on the federal government to act to halt the continued slaughter of peaceful and innocent Christians – face the consequences.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State has reacted over the Sunday suicide bombings in the state.
The association faulted reaction of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as political and deviating from the reality of Boko Haram’s insurgency against Christians in the country. It added that Tambuwal was more concerned of reprisal than the factors that precipitated the attacks, which CAN describes as unfortunate and clarion call on government to wake and end the attacks against Christians and their Churches.
The statement signed by its chairman Rev. Samuel Kujiyat said that “Though, the suicide bombings unexpectedly, provoked dangerous angry protests by youths in Kaduna South and environs, resulting in some people sadly taking the laws into their hands and bringing about deaths, injuries and destruction of properties and vehicles of innocent people. It is regrettable and condemnable in all sense, but that reaction of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, appears to be diversionary and political. He tends to be only concern with reprisal attack than bothering of those killed and injured in the attacks against Churches and Christians. It is unfortunate and demeaning to his office as a leader in the country to think in this way and manner”
It further charged the Nigerian Army authorities to carry out investigation on a soldier who allegedly killed two persons in Kaduna, “Let there be investigation because it is clear the soldier was just shooting people. And many of the casualties were even shot to deaths by soldiers and police.”
It further appealed for calm and peace, saying, “CAN Kaduna State Chapter wishes to appeal to all and sundry in Kaduna State to remain calm and cooperate with the Government to bring things under full normalcy in order to confront the bigger further threat of Boko Haram in other guise. CAN was reliably informed that some Security Agencies’ outfit, attacked and killed some youths at Maraban Rido and other locations in Kaduna and environs, but were arrested and disarmed and now under detention. Meanwhile, CAN, Kaduna State Chapter will shortly convene a meeting of its leadership, and with Government, as well as with the leadership of the Kaduna State Chapter of Jama’atul Nasir Islam JNI and the outcomes of these meetings will be made known in due course.”
Nearly a decade and half after the end of apartheid, South Africans are beginning to face up to the fact that they have a present problem with racism in that country. This is not to say that most regular citizens of South Africa have not always been aware that they have a problem with racism.
What has brought the problem to the fore this time is a series of racial incidents that followed one on the heel of the other in February. One of the incidents is a racist video shot and distributed by some white students of the University of the Free State. The video showed the students’ ritualized humiliation of four black laborers employed by the university, including allegedly secretly urinating in food that laborers had to eat. Apparently their intention was to use the video to publicize their opposition to a recent integration of their dormitory. “The video exposed deep-seated racist stereotypes harbored by a section of the population and constituted a complete disregard for the rights … of the workers …,” a government spokesman said. The second incident is the shooting murder of four black people by a white youth in the North West town of Skielik.
Since 1994, such incidents have been taking place in isolation in the various farmsteads and other remote and not-so-remote outposts of the country; but such is the state of a culture enervated by long years of racist practice that most of these incidents – like the white farmer who fed his Black farm worker to lions – have been dealt with routinely and seemingly forgotten.
There is a suggestion in some quarters that the reason why there has not been any great outcry in the past regarding such incidents is because of a national reluctance to highlight racism issues as they affect Blacks. South African Human Rights Commission CEO, Tseliso Thipanyane, in an address to the media on racism early in March, admitted that talking about racism, especially as it affects blacks, has become unpopular. Instead Blacks are encouraged to keep quiet about their experiences and move on. He told journalist that South Africans “should not delude ourselves and think we are out of the [racism] woods.”
What seems to have changed the attitude of the media and intelligentsia concerning race matters in South Africa was the recent decision by the Forum of Black Journalists to bar white journalists from the relaunch event of the FBJ in February. The furor over that FBJ decision prompted the Chairman of the South African Human Rights Commission, Jody Kollapen, to declare that “racism is alive and well in South Africa.”
The glaring persistence of racism in South Africa and authorities’ routine handling of such incidents suggests that South Africans remain intimidated by the apartheid heritage. White South Africans have been let off the hook too easily. Black anger and resentment have been clearly dealt with through the TRC. But as Kollapen euphemistically put it, “…white South Africa was not really given the opportunity to engage with what happened in the past.” The result is that many white South Africans continue to hold very strongly to apartheid-based racist beliefs and are growing increasingly bold in acting out those beliefs. The South African nation is held to ransom by, and is unable to rebuke or respond adequately to, this small racist element in society.
There is nothing routine about racism and it is not something that should be simply accepted as matter of fact. Every incident of racism needs to be dealt instantly and with deserving severity no matter how isolated or remote. The nation needs to reprieve itself from the racist past and do so quickly. A society that respects the fundamental rights of all its citizens cannot tread softly when such rights for some are so flagrantly violated as in the case of the UFS workers. Only in this way can racists be made to appreciate that there are consequences; and potential victims given the awareness and empowered to resist such victimization.
The end of the legal system of racism known as apartheid in 1994 did not end unofficial forms of this social malaise. Many white South Africans, in the period just before the end of apartheid, feared that blacks would be bent on revenge in the event that the country became a democracy. This was one of the many reasons why the apartheid regime was able to cling onto power for more than 40 years. Today, the South African democracy is more than ten years old, but those fears never materialized. Even during the liberation struggle, the African National Congress (ANC) had assured the nation and the world that no such vengeance would take place. The ANC also promised to make South Africa a non-racial democracy. It succeeded in the former through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission whose work provided a cathartic outlet that helped the nation purge itself of the demons of apartheid and safely contain black anger. Yet its efforts in the latter – the non-racial democracy quest – has been hampered by pockets of old order resistance. It is that resistance that is sustaining racism in South Africa.
In the post-apartheid era, too many blacks in that country remain unemployed or under-employed; the racial perking order remains as it has always been with Blacks at the bottom obeying an unspoken requirement to defer to Whites on top. Yes, racism is a present reality in South Africa, but it seems no one knows how it can be readily dealt with without causing the nation greater difficulties. The government had thought that Black Empowerment — affirmative action programs that ensure a share of business and employment opportunities for traditionally disadvantaged blacks — would ultimately bring equity and a measure of equality to the country. That may well come to be in time, but Black Empowerment is not going to immediately redress culturally inured racist habits and practices that form the bedrock of enduring racism and Black disadvantages in that country. Other brave measures are needed in place at the same time in order to chip away at the bedrock of racism in South Africa.
That the problem is still there is not surprising given the history of the country. In 2001 when I visited that country for the first time, it was apparent to me that racism remained a reality in South Africa. During that trip, I dared to venture into places that my local companions had confessed they would not ordinarily go into. In some of these places — bars and restaurants — I was welcomed, but usually I and my companions would be the only Blacks in the place. Though there were no laws barring people from patronizing these premises, long held segregationist social habits helped to create an invisible barrier that made those places uneasy haunts for Blacks.
I remember one place in particular. It was in a restaurant/bar in the airport in Johannesburg. I had gone in to find someplace less crowded in the teaming airport. I found myself surrounded by a gaggle of white toddlers. There were four of them between the ages of two and four years. I felt from them a certain unspoken assertion of dominance that questioned my presence in that bar. Their parents sat nearby. The kids hovered menacingly around me, but their adult minders made no attempt to call them off and give the stranger his space. I think I knew how the old crocodile must feel in his pool, buffeted by succulent hippo calves under the watchful eye of their fat parents.
People naturally want to avoid situations that bring social discomfort; and going into places where you are not wanted is a sure invitation to social discomfort. I was able to enter those places and even enjoy myself because I was not a permanent resident of the country and any consequences arising out of my social effrontery could not go beyond the two weeks I spent there.
In too many other places, I and my friends were turned away with antagonism and subtle excuses like, “this place is only for sailors.” At one point I was confronted by the father of one of the young ladies who assisted me in my work in South Africa. The man, who is a dark-skinned Indian, was scandalized that a black African should be openly asking after his daughter in the family’s place of business. There were many other individual situations, during that 2001 visit to Durban and Johannesburg that had to be negotiated carefully. Those 2001 experiences thought me that South Africa remained a segregated society that continues to tingle with the residual static of dysfunctional racial relations. In the bad old days of apartheid segregation was enforced by law; in post-apartheid South Africa, segregation is enforced in subtler ways. The most important of these is means. South Africans continue overwhelmingly to be separated by income on a racial basis. Old attitudes and stereotypes continue to keep more blacks in the poverty bracket. For the majority of black South Africans, poverty of means continues to dictate their place in society.
People with means guard their means jealously and use that as a bargaining chip with government and with others in society. They employ their means to greatly influence the trend – content and tone of the social discourse. Government continues to act as a democratic referee, but it is the finances of private industry that dictate the tone to which many individuals must march for security of livelihood. That’s the reality. And it is a reality that feeds racism in society. To minimize society’s vulnerability to such manifestations of racism, government, schools and religious institutions must get on to an active program of value re-orientation in society. Government especially can use its policies to accelerate social security for the masses.
Racism has eaten deep into the fabric of South African society. It has shaped the way people see each other. Therefore, profound and fundamental changes are required in the way South Africans understand and relate to each other. The many stereotypes that dictate and sustain racial attitudes must be dismantled. Beyond calling for people to change their attitudes, the government needs to get pro-active in its efforts to combat racism. It is not enough to simply establish organizations and institutions of intermediation such as human rights and gender commissions and expect that they would be enough by themselves to protect the rights of the citizen. The state has got to be more pro-active in its efforts to stop the continued victimization of some citizens – who despite the end of apartheid remain intimidated under the apartheid mentality – by others who feel they have a historical right to perpetrate such victimizations. The state should relieve victims — especially the poor and ill-educated ones like the UFS laborers — of most of the financial and social burdens of seeking redress. Such victims and potential victims should be given open access to aid and afforded enough education and information to enable them recognize the early signs of victimization to reject it.
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Obi O. Akwani is the editor of IMDiversity’s Minorities’ Global Village and the author of Winning Over Racism and the novel, March of Ages. He is a Nigerian Canadian. He lives in Cornwall, Ontario Canada.
IMDiversity.com is committed to presenting diverse points of view. However, the viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at IMD.
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