Strikes, job losses, damages to private property, increases
in crime and an overall growth of impatience and dissatisfaction is sweeping
the country, our country, South Africa. The cliché of the poor getting poorer
and the rich getting richer has never been truer or more distasteful. Looking
back through history, which we never do, we can see that such dissatisfaction
opens the door for racial divide. When we are unhappy, we must blame someone –
that someone is someone else, someone “different”. Not to disregard other races
in South Africa
but the issue boils down to black versus white.
More and more we are hearing a growing discontent among
black South Africans. Valid? Yes. Why? 20 years into democracy, of the
liberation party, and the people are not liberated. Rather than gloating in
liberation, we are faced with stark realities. Farm workers are striking for a
meager R150 a day – while some buy a R150 bottle of wine. Miners are striking
for R4000 a month – while some buy a gold chain worth R4000. Here we see the inequity
within our country – here we see the cause of the discontent.
Before I am branded as self righteous / self loathing /
ignorant / et cetera, let me state the obvious. There are rich whites and
blacks. There are poor whites and blacks. However, let’s not focus on the
outliers but rather the reality we face.
Does the term “white capital” mean anything to you? Does the
fact that the gold/platinum/fruit/wine that is mined/harvested by black labour and
ultimately benefits only white capital mean anything to you? If it doesn't, it
definitely means something to those farmers and miners, the black labour, who
are fighting for their share.
Here, we see the great divide. Here, we see the beginnings
of something perverse. Here, we see the beginnings of a revolution. As dramatic
as a revolution may sound, we just need to consider the amounts of deaths due
to crime, striking, looting, xenophobia, et cetera. It may not have all the hallmarks
of a revolution just yet but the death and unrest caused by this festering
social discontent are enough to be characterized as such.
The revolution is, however, now characterized by other
examples of hatred. The revolution is showing its face in the intense anger and
racism that is entrenching itself in our people. Let us not call ourselves the
rainbow nation, for we are not. Let us not say that we have reconciled, for we
have not. Yes, a revolution may force this reconciliation but more violence
shouldn't be the answer.
So, now, the reflex action is to take a side. “It’s the
white capital who is unwilling to relinquish its privileges”. “It’s the
government who are only concerned with self-enrichment”. “It’s the whites”.
“It’s the blacks”.
Yes, there may be some truth here and a little truth there.
However, our historical perspective is bound to be self-centric. In South Africa ,
everyone feels like a victim – white and black. We harbor these ideas of
resentment and victimhood and this is ultimately what is holding us back;
holding us back from a peaceful evolution. We must be forward looking and look
to find solutions; instead, our empty rhetoric leads to a reactionary attitude rather
than being proactive.
Let me explain. We have a problem where farmers are heavily
underpaid. Instead of being proactive and formulating a solution, we are
reactive and have to deal with strikes and looting. Reactive will lead a violent revolution while proactive will lead to a
peaceful one.
So, white capital and black government. What can you do?
Painfully, we need only look at our neighbors Zimbabwe – although, not in its
entirety! Ignoring the past decade, draw your focus on the recent landmark deal
struck with Zimplats. For those not in the know, let me explain the foundations
upon which this landmark has been created.
Zimplats is owned by Implats; Implats are white capital. So, the proactive solution? The people of Zimbabwe
will buy half of Zimplats in order to benefit from their platinum rich land.
But, how can the poor afford to own half of Zimplats? Herein in lays the
solution. Zimplats will loan the people of Zimbabwe the money to buy half
their company; at an interest rate of 10%. When Zimplats declare dividends to
their new owners, the same dividends will be used to pay off the aforementioned
loan. Simple. Genius.
If we look even further, the new stake in Zimplats is to be
split as so: 10% to a community trust; 10% to an employee trust and 31% to the
government in the form of a ‘National Indigenisation & Economic Empowerment
Trust’. The new ownership allows the appointment of directors onto the Zimplats
board; albeit in a skewed ratio. This may be the master class stroke as it
allows management of the Zimplats to remain (although to a lesser extent) in
the hands of Implats. Do you know what this means people of South Africa ? This means we can
avoid the nasty ‘n’ word altogether – nationalization.
What affect does this all have? Firstly, it is a much needed
redistribution of wealth. However, there is no loser as Implats have
effectively sold half their shares on loan. Secondly, due to no ‘n’ word,
Zimplats has a renewed confidence in Zimbabwe and are now looking to
expand their mining operations – creating more jobs. Redistribution of wealth
is vital but can only work if coupled with foreign investor confidence as we do
need experts to extract the platinum.
Lastly, the desired effect will lead to satisfaction among
the people. There can be no dissatisfaction among the miners as they are
co-owners, reaping the benefits. There can be no dissatisfaction among the
communities surrounding the mines as they are co-owners, reaping the benefits.
And, finally, there can be no dissatisfaction among the people of Zimbabwe
as through their government, they are co-owners and will enjoy the benefits.
If we bring this model of wealth redistribution, or a
variant, into the South African context, we can bring satisfaction to our
people. We can have our revolution. A peaceful revolution. But, in order for
this to happen, we need our black government and white capital to be proactive.
Peace.