Calling the messiah
One of the traditional prayers Jews say during Pesach (Passover) calls for the Mosiach (Messiah) to come to Earth and set the Jewish people free. I start with this statement, because I wish to draw a parallel between the Jewish and Afrikaner peoples. Eventually I want to come to a point which is being widely debated in South Africa at the moment – something that is already old news to many people, but, after still being hounded and dogged by debate, I feel obliged to throw in my two cents' worth.
Especially during the apex of Afrikaner nationalism, Afrikaners to a large degree considered themselves to be God's chosen people. To this effect, quite a few times similarities have been pointed out between the Hebrew and Afrikaner peoples. The Jews, for example, had their great exodus where they escaped enslavement by the Egyptians and many Afrikaners moved away from the Cape Colony (which was by then British) in search of freedom (called The Great Trek). (These parallels are ironic to a large degree, because there have always been traces, sometimes strong, of anti-Semitism among the Afrikaners and in the years leading up to and during the Second World War, several right-wing organisations appeared that bore a striking resemblance to the Nazi party. There aren't very many Jews in South Africa, though.) Another example was the battle of Bloedrivier (Blood River) where a small group of Boers faced total annihilation by a large swarm of Zulu warriors. They prayed to God for deliverance and promised, should they survive, that that day, 16 December, would forever by treated as a sabbath day (Sondag) by them and their children and their children's children (today 16 December is celebrated as “Day of Reconciliation” in South Africa, but the media recently report that there is an increasing number of, especially young Afrikaners, who continue or return to commemorating “Day of the Covenant”, or “Geloftedag”, as has been done since 1838). On that day, less than 500 Boers successfully defended their laager against more than 10000 Zulu's. 3000 Zulu's were killed (the Ncome river turned red from all the blood, hence the name) and only three Boers were wounded. This crushing victory has, since then, reinforced the idea of a “chosen people”. Also, most Afrikaners are Reformed Christians (Calvinistic), which could also have been a contributing factor in various ways.
Since the Groot Trek, much has happened to the Afrikaner nation: they had their own Republics, they lost their freedom to the British, they partially regained it, they established themselves as the ruling minority (protected by Apartheid) and finally democratically lost control of the country to the black majority in the country. The reached several peaks of independence, self-sustainment and innovation, but have also slipped into pessimism, self-pity and apathy. During the years following the dismantling of Apartheid, many stepped aside (or simply fled) and let this new chapter in history take it's course. Affirmative action was inevitable and while people weren't happy about being fired or not hired in favour of a less skilled, non-white person, they understood it was a course that this country was taking and, perhaps, needed to take. Perhaps some people felt guilty, but we all hoped forgiveness would come soon and the promised utopia lay just beyond the bend.
During the past holiday, a few of us went out on my uncle's boat to enjoy a sunny Christmas day before lunch was served. My cousin was at the helm and some music was playing over the newly installed radio in the boat. Our tastes in music isn't particularly close, so I ignored it, but one Afrikaans song caught my attention: it was about Koos de la Rey, a Boer general during Anglo-Boer war. The song was calling De La Rey to come and free the Afrikaner people. I actually haven't heard the song since, but it has grown phenomenally popular. My cousin was wearing a t-shirt that day that looked like the old South African flag (die “oranje-blanje-blou”) and, with this song playing in the background, I started to think about this picture: I'm witnessing a little piece of Afrikaner nationalism revival. It was ironic for me, however, because my cousin was only two years old when we adopted the new flag, so he has never seen it flown in official office (as opposed to me who, at the age of seven, stood proudly and patriotically to attention during assemblies – oblivious to the major changes that were going on and the looming transition). So why was he concerned with all this Afrikaner nationalism? I waved it off as particular brand of small West Coast town influences on an impressionable youth. But, with all this business of the old flag showing up at sporting events (Update on that post: they tracked down the black man who was wearing the old flag over his shoulders. He was completely amazed that it had caused such a stir, but said he did it to show that he holds no grudges and has forgives, accepted and moved on.) has me, and other people, thinking: is there some sort of neo-Afrikanerism brewing? Not necessarily one with the same right-wing ideals as in past, but at least one of unity and strength: people are tired of being discriminated against and ignored. The new generation of Afrikaners is moving into the work place. I am part of that generation and we were either very young during the transition or do not remember it at all. We had not taken part in Apartheid and had no say about it. We grew up in a democracy and were thought equality and respect. While there is still, as far as I am concerned, a clear distinction between how the people of my age and the people three or more years younger than me view/approach the social changes brought about in the New South Africa, we are, for the most part, innocent and want to get on with our lives. We do not wish to pay for the sins of our fathers and do not feel responsibility for Apartheid. I think neo-Afrikanerism is more about the plea of being accepted as Africans, as opposed to more right-wing views, but I might be wrong. I don't know, but each time Bok van Blerk's song plays, people are calling for deliverance form their worries and sorrows.
So, who is this icons, this leader people are calling for? No-one knows. Perhaps they aren't calling for a leader, but just harking back to the days of proud and strong defiance against oppression. I wouldn't be surprised if, much of the time, the song's audience is intoxicated to a degree where they cannot make rational political decisions, but lets consider the sober people looking for a leader that will guide them into this new millennium. There is a problem. My grandfather use to tell me that one of the problems with the Afrikaners is that they do not stick together. Why were there two Boer republics? Some people wanted to stay and do things one way and others wanted to continue and do things another way. Differences of opinion also hampered the Boers during the war, but it is unlikely that they would have won were things different in that respect. I have heard it been told a few times, jokingly, that if one Afrikaner differs in opinion from another, he turns around and establishes his own political party and church so things could be done this way. Traditionally, there has always been a lack of cohesion. I don't know why this is. Maybe it is normal in any and all nations. Maybe it is normal in a nation that is made up of people who ultimately come from different roots.
De la Rey, do not return to these boers. You rest in peace; they seek a leader, but what they must find is the courage to shake off their negativity and apathy. Our guidance can not only come from (our) history, but must also come from (contemporary) innovation. Those that haven't done so must accept the current political situation and adapt to, not only survive, but thrive. We must stop running away and laying the blame on others. But, then again, if one does change all these ways, are they still an Afrikaner then?
Besides, don't we already have our Messiah?
Especially during the apex of Afrikaner nationalism, Afrikaners to a large degree considered themselves to be God's chosen people. To this effect, quite a few times similarities have been pointed out between the Hebrew and Afrikaner peoples. The Jews, for example, had their great exodus where they escaped enslavement by the Egyptians and many Afrikaners moved away from the Cape Colony (which was by then British) in search of freedom (called The Great Trek). (These parallels are ironic to a large degree, because there have always been traces, sometimes strong, of anti-Semitism among the Afrikaners and in the years leading up to and during the Second World War, several right-wing organisations appeared that bore a striking resemblance to the Nazi party. There aren't very many Jews in South Africa, though.) Another example was the battle of Bloedrivier (Blood River) where a small group of Boers faced total annihilation by a large swarm of Zulu warriors. They prayed to God for deliverance and promised, should they survive, that that day, 16 December, would forever by treated as a sabbath day (Sondag) by them and their children and their children's children (today 16 December is celebrated as “Day of Reconciliation” in South Africa, but the media recently report that there is an increasing number of, especially young Afrikaners, who continue or return to commemorating “Day of the Covenant”, or “Geloftedag”, as has been done since 1838). On that day, less than 500 Boers successfully defended their laager against more than 10000 Zulu's. 3000 Zulu's were killed (the Ncome river turned red from all the blood, hence the name) and only three Boers were wounded. This crushing victory has, since then, reinforced the idea of a “chosen people”. Also, most Afrikaners are Reformed Christians (Calvinistic), which could also have been a contributing factor in various ways.
Since the Groot Trek, much has happened to the Afrikaner nation: they had their own Republics, they lost their freedom to the British, they partially regained it, they established themselves as the ruling minority (protected by Apartheid) and finally democratically lost control of the country to the black majority in the country. The reached several peaks of independence, self-sustainment and innovation, but have also slipped into pessimism, self-pity and apathy. During the years following the dismantling of Apartheid, many stepped aside (or simply fled) and let this new chapter in history take it's course. Affirmative action was inevitable and while people weren't happy about being fired or not hired in favour of a less skilled, non-white person, they understood it was a course that this country was taking and, perhaps, needed to take. Perhaps some people felt guilty, but we all hoped forgiveness would come soon and the promised utopia lay just beyond the bend.
During the past holiday, a few of us went out on my uncle's boat to enjoy a sunny Christmas day before lunch was served. My cousin was at the helm and some music was playing over the newly installed radio in the boat. Our tastes in music isn't particularly close, so I ignored it, but one Afrikaans song caught my attention: it was about Koos de la Rey, a Boer general during Anglo-Boer war. The song was calling De La Rey to come and free the Afrikaner people. I actually haven't heard the song since, but it has grown phenomenally popular. My cousin was wearing a t-shirt that day that looked like the old South African flag (die “oranje-blanje-blou”) and, with this song playing in the background, I started to think about this picture: I'm witnessing a little piece of Afrikaner nationalism revival. It was ironic for me, however, because my cousin was only two years old when we adopted the new flag, so he has never seen it flown in official office (as opposed to me who, at the age of seven, stood proudly and patriotically to attention during assemblies – oblivious to the major changes that were going on and the looming transition). So why was he concerned with all this Afrikaner nationalism? I waved it off as particular brand of small West Coast town influences on an impressionable youth. But, with all this business of the old flag showing up at sporting events (Update on that post: they tracked down the black man who was wearing the old flag over his shoulders. He was completely amazed that it had caused such a stir, but said he did it to show that he holds no grudges and has forgives, accepted and moved on.) has me, and other people, thinking: is there some sort of neo-Afrikanerism brewing? Not necessarily one with the same right-wing ideals as in past, but at least one of unity and strength: people are tired of being discriminated against and ignored. The new generation of Afrikaners is moving into the work place. I am part of that generation and we were either very young during the transition or do not remember it at all. We had not taken part in Apartheid and had no say about it. We grew up in a democracy and were thought equality and respect. While there is still, as far as I am concerned, a clear distinction between how the people of my age and the people three or more years younger than me view/approach the social changes brought about in the New South Africa, we are, for the most part, innocent and want to get on with our lives. We do not wish to pay for the sins of our fathers and do not feel responsibility for Apartheid. I think neo-Afrikanerism is more about the plea of being accepted as Africans, as opposed to more right-wing views, but I might be wrong. I don't know, but each time Bok van Blerk's song plays, people are calling for deliverance form their worries and sorrows.
So, who is this icons, this leader people are calling for? No-one knows. Perhaps they aren't calling for a leader, but just harking back to the days of proud and strong defiance against oppression. I wouldn't be surprised if, much of the time, the song's audience is intoxicated to a degree where they cannot make rational political decisions, but lets consider the sober people looking for a leader that will guide them into this new millennium. There is a problem. My grandfather use to tell me that one of the problems with the Afrikaners is that they do not stick together. Why were there two Boer republics? Some people wanted to stay and do things one way and others wanted to continue and do things another way. Differences of opinion also hampered the Boers during the war, but it is unlikely that they would have won were things different in that respect. I have heard it been told a few times, jokingly, that if one Afrikaner differs in opinion from another, he turns around and establishes his own political party and church so things could be done this way. Traditionally, there has always been a lack of cohesion. I don't know why this is. Maybe it is normal in any and all nations. Maybe it is normal in a nation that is made up of people who ultimately come from different roots.
De la Rey, do not return to these boers. You rest in peace; they seek a leader, but what they must find is the courage to shake off their negativity and apathy. Our guidance can not only come from (our) history, but must also come from (contemporary) innovation. Those that haven't done so must accept the current political situation and adapt to, not only survive, but thrive. We must stop running away and laying the blame on others. But, then again, if one does change all these ways, are they still an Afrikaner then?
Besides, don't we already have our Messiah?
posted by phantom-99w at 11:01
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