When children play in the playgrounds and use swear words, it shouldn’t have to be national news. The elders in that society simply need to reprimand them, and they would have their values reset. That is if the children are playing with harmless toys. But if they are playing dangerous political games that could harm them, or someone else, then the elders must simply take away the toys, regardless of the tantrums.
When the society is one in which the elders have discredited themselves with breathtaking wrongdoing, it is not likely that the children will heed their reprimand. They will simply point to the misdemeanors of the elders and blame them for the colossal mess they find themselves in.
And they would be technically correct – although it is not right. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Malema’s song at the playground a fortnight ago occasioned an interesting national conversation. For some it was a matter of “let the children play, they can do no harm”. For others: “They are not breaking the law. Let them sing their hearts out!”
Read more in Daily Maverick: DA to report Malema’s chant of ‘Kill the boer, kill the farmer’ to the UN
Yet for others: “They are channelling into a political programme the anger and disappointment of the masses who feel left out of the dividends of the post-‘94 democratic dispensation”. Politicians, after all, are quite enterprising in using the legitimate frustrations in society as a ticket to political power.
We require leaders who show the greatest inclination towards serving all our people, not killing any of them.
For all these reasons and possibly more, it is still just to blow the whistle on this targeting of the boer and the farmer.
Why?
Because they are South Africans and have the right to feel at home here and not feel threatened with murder, especially from those who wield political leadership in a democratic South Africa. We simply must demand higher standards of accountability from our leaders.
The year 2022 closed with a damning report from the Zondo State Capture Commission. A report that flagged the issue of the lack of accountability in our political culture. As we prepare for the 2024 elections, the South African electorate will be desperately looking for signs of accountability and an orientation to serve all the people of this republic. We require leaders who show the greatest inclination towards serving all our people, not killing any of them.
That the song happens to be a struggle song does not put it above moral reproach, even if it does get clearance from the courts. The courts are no substitute for conscience. We are all too aware that many connected individuals, politicians and the well-to-do can escape accountability legally. The former president is a case in point.
The song was, in any case, a war cry in an era in which it was understandable to kill one’s perceived enemy in the process of war. The Constitution is our ceasefire document, and enjoins us to build a nonracial society.
Dangerous mirage
But the youth love war games, even though many of them have never really seen war. They love the militant-sounding lyrics and the sound of gunfire. But one day, they may just find themselves being the president of the country. The entire project of struggle was, after all, precisely to make any South African a legitimate contender for high office. At that point they will find that the song subtracts from and does not add value.
At that moment they will wish to stop it, but it will be difficult.
Such was the case with the previous generation of activists, who started a culture of boycotting the payment of services, only to find that once they were in government, the culture was too deep to reverse.
Malema knows the challenges the country faces, but presenting the elimination of the farmer and the boer as their panacea, is simply leading his followers after a dangerous mirage. He might think he is singing the song in jest, and not meaning to harm anyone. The only problem with this thinking is that the boers and farmers are being violently killed.
It is no singing matter. DM
Thank you for this article. It is very frightening to watch Julius frothing at the mouth, singing this awful song. Like you say, this now belongs to a different era. But Julius is all about controversy and keeping his face & party in the news. And he is very proud that the judicial system supported him. Sadly, the youngsters who follow him think he is the saviour they have been waiting for – unfortunately Julius and his party are like empty drums – hollow and very noisy – with no substance.
Thankyou
A thoughtful and wise voice amoung the corseness of our political dialogue and the callous indifference of the regular contributors & editors of Daily Maverick. Thank you sir for raising the bar on our politics and commentariat – may they read your words and reflect. I remember walking through the Genocide Museum in Kigali and seeing so many haunting parrallells of what I have heard in South Africa. May we rise above the discourse of La Radio des Milles Collines. I’m sure if given the chance the Rwandans would have preferred a little more of your wisdom at the time and a little less loose talk – regardless of which wine pairs best with regret.
Thank you for this article. That Malema is permitted to call for the killing of an entire group based on their race is terrifying and should be unthinkable. He is, right now, calling for the extermination of white Afrikaans speakers, such as myself. Why should we not take him seriously? Is there still a place for us in this country? It means much to me that you took a moral stance.
What a world-class publication by DM on ‘Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer’. The courts acknowledge the struggle context of the song, but reasonable reflection and consideration calls for restraint and accountability. Farmers are being targeted, killed. Perhaps partly because they find themselves in isolated, rural areas where crime may be easier to perpetrate. Perhaps partly because there is a measure of remnant hatred towards “Boers” or “Boere” as white Afrikaners were known as, or seen as. Yes, Apartheid was oppressive, demeaning, etc. But many South Africans believe that whites, ‘having wealth’, are the reason for the masses being deprived, hungry, poor and jobless. Singing (thus calling for, or invoking) “Kill the Boer”, 29 years after democracy, should be outright condemned, even if it is sung by self-serving political infants and opportunists.
Do you REALLY believe Malema “is singing the song in jest, and not meaning to harm anyone” ?
More fool, you…
Thank you, this gives me a little hope for the future. Denise Smit
Thank you for the simply articulated ‘voice of reason’ in an age of sophistry and deception ! Enough of the ‘lawyerlese’ double speak !
What was wise and well written article