The last time I visited South Africa, apartheid was still the law of the land and Nelson Mandela was still imprisoned, but the winds of change were already stirring. I observed black people and white people working side by side in some businesses in Johannesburg, and even eating at adjoining tables in a few "international" restaurants. (Both were permitted, subject to restrictions, even under apartheid in the middle 1980s.) But every person I encountered (all white, both Afrikaner and British ancestry) expected a violent and bloody civil war within only a few years. A siege mentality pervaded even urban, progressive Johannesburg. The air was barely breathable at night due to emissions from the chemical plants synthesizing gasoline from coal. I have been in many high-security facilities in the U.S., but nothing matches the draconian security I encountered at the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation. When I left, virtually all my South African friends and colleagues expected to be dead within a decade.
But it didn't happen. South Africa today is far from perfect, but the bloodbath that virtually everyone in the country expected was averted ... and Nelson Mandela is largely responsible for that. Perhaps just as remarkable, despite all its problems South Africa has (so far) managed to avoid the genocide and despotism that has plagued the transition from colonialism to majority rule in many other African countries. Blessed are the peacemakers. Rest in peace, my friend.
[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 12-07-2013).]
Why ? The man has my respect. I do realize he had communistic and socialistic beliefs but he could accept the beliefs of others. The man did great things and accomplished great things for his society, and the world. I was too young to know but I wonder how much he influenced Martin Luther King.
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07:59 AM
avengador1 Member
Posts: 35468 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
Originally posted by User00013170: Do i really need another reason? No compromise.
You yourself might not be so dogmatic if you found yourself under judicial confinement--prison, or even house arrest.
I really don't know that much about Nelson Mandela, especially about his life and views before he became South Africa's president. In fact, hardly anything. So this is just a general observation.
Sometimes, Nurb, I think that your posts become dogmatically dogmatic. But at least you can't say that I don't keep tabs on you. Which I think you can take as a small compliment. A remark of appreciation.
I have a public confession to offer: I have never given anyone a "neg". When I see a member getting ragged on and neg'd a lot because of a controversial or ill-advised post, I usually try to blunt what's going on by giving that member some "plus" points. I like to have people here of opposing views to debate with.
[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 12-07-2013).]
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02:15 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
You yourself might not be so dogmatic if you found yourself under judicial confinement--prison, or even house arrest.
All i am saying is that regardless of any 'good' things he does, he was still a socialist, so i dislike him for that reason. Even Hitler ( just an easy example, not comparing the two people ) did nice things in his life too, but that doesn't mean I have to like the guy or approve of him overall.
