“Amandla asemasebeni” is a common phrase in the African National Congress (ANC) lexicon which loosely translated means power lies within the branches (community).
As a young person who has grown up in the rainbow nation envisioned by ANC stalwarts, foremost amongst those Nelson Mandela, my life is marginally better than my ancestors of yesteryear.
I chose the word “marginally” deliberately for the simple reason that at the dawn of democracy, race was banished to the archive of mythological history.
How else do we explain the fact that it is easier to find a unicorn than someone who supported apartheid?
Through one’s lived experience one has grown to realise that race still forms a crucial part of our life.
Due to Verwoerd’s and Malan’s ill-conceived genius, every aspect of society was structured along racial doctrines.
The small town of Benoni was no exception and to this day the awful taste of a special type of colonialism is omnipotently present.
For instance, to date, people of colour – blacks in particular – are still confined to the periphery of the town in former labour reservoirs such as Daveyton and Wattville.
Whilst some can claim to live in racially integrated communities, one would posit that the integration is subliminal.
Our communities have not transformed. How else do we explain the fact the best schools, economic activities and recreational facilities in town are still exclusively heavily concentrated in what used to be whites-only areas?
Perhaps a question needs to be posed to all Benonians: are you willing to be part of the new South Africa?
As a white South African, are you willing to go and teach in a township school?
As a business owner, do you think about how your business can be located in Wattville so that you’ll lead the charge of creating township economies?
Or are we just happy to hang on as much as possible to our privilege obtained via the racial subjugation of others?
