It seems Finance Minister Tito Mboweni spent his tea break from preparing the much-anticipated Budget Speech lamenting on race relations that continue to divide South Africa.
Tito Mboweni divides opinion on white supremacy in South Africa
Suffice it to say, the claims he made on social media were not a positive contribution towards mending the bridges that still exist between black and white South Africans.
The minister, triggered by something we don’t know, took to Twitter to state that a majority of white South Africans are still regressive in their supremacist view of race.
“The majority ( not all) of white South Africans, seem, at face value to still view black people as hewers of wood and drawers of water= servants,” the minister said.
Delving deeper into this supposition, the minister claimed that in his view, “our non-racial dream is not embraced by the majority of white South Africans.
“True or not? If true, what is the substitute of non-racialism? Philosophically and politically.” the minister asked.
Mboweni’s question divided social media. Some laid the blame squarely on regressive policies implemented by the ANC 27 years ago, while others held a more progressive belief that there is no legislation for people liking each other.
“As long as we get along and there is space for everyone to thrive….that’s all,” one user wrote.
Another said: “The majority of South Africans want a united and prosperous South Africa. Unfortunately, voices from the far left and far right are loud. Unfortunately, polarizing views get more eyes when it comes to press coverage and clicks on social media.”
Here are more reactions to the minister’s polarising question.
It is the ANC’s racial policies that are dividing the country. It is not only white ppl who should be expected to support non-racialism, but our black and brown brothers as well.
— Gerhard Visagie (@GerhardVisagie1) February 10, 2021
As a white South African it bothers me greatly. But it seems like a worldwide surge. Trumpism, "nationalism" all over western world seems on the rise. It also doesn't help that state capture defense seems to be to call "racism" even though all races were knee deep in it.
— Johan du Plessis (@justjohan) February 10, 2021
Where are you getting these (divisive and unsubstantiated) facts Minister?
— Nick Hedley (@nickhedley) February 10, 2021
‘Colonialism of a special type will take long to resolve’
Mboweni ended his philosophical probe with dousing all hopes of a race-free society existing in South Africa. He wrote:
“At the core of all this is the question of race, class, gender and power. The colonialism of a special type will take long to resolve. Remember that the majority (not all) white people thought of themselves as the ‘civilising contingent into Africa’. Emphasis is on NOT ALL.”