The recent criticism of South Africa’s so-called apartheid has been so distorted that since we were there two years ago, we must tell the other side of the story.
Twenty–five couples rented recreational vehicles, and in seven weeks drove 5,000 miles across South Africa. We camped in their parks, rode their trains and public buses, visited their homes and most large cities. We therefore had many excellent contacts with both Whites and Blacks. We found both easy to talk to, happy, and mixing freely with each other in the market places, stores, banks, industry, and all walks of life.
When we visited a large General Motors plant, we noticed many Blacks and Whites in the same cafeteria line, dining areas, offices, and working areas. Just like home!
Our group often commented that in many ways , in our observation, we have as much apartheid here in the U.S. as South Africa has. There it is supposedly “legalized” and ineffective. Here it is done by “people and their attitudes” and very effective. Incidentally, how many Blacks come to your church?
Yes, we were in Soweto (the suburb ofJohannesburg with 1.25 million Blacks), where the housing was like new, spacious, one-story, and clean. The Blacks are purchasing these homes with 5% down on a 40-year plan at 4% interest. Many are doing this. Obviously heavily subsidized by their government. Ironically our Blacks live mainly in the old and decrepit areas of our towns. Soweto has several hospital s for the Blacks, one of which is the largest in the southern hemisphere and likely one of the largest in the world. It has 2400 beds (here few have more than 450 beds), 1200 Black nurses in training, and a staff of 150 Black doctors plus 300 White doctors.
Education for the Blacks is free. At Pretoria, the university has 28,000 students; 60% are Blacks. There are thousands ofBlack churches ofalmost all faiths in South Africa. Eighty percent of the Blacks profess to be Christians. Thanks to the Whites.
When the Europeans came to South Africa in the 1600‘s, there were few Blacks. The climate was too dry—almost desert and no food. The Whites began building huge dams, reservoirs, and irrigation systems. Now they store up to five years’ supply of water and several years of staple food. Obviously there is no starvation here. Production of food here exceeds demand by 20%-a condition very rare in any of the 50 countries in Africa. Most of them produce 20-30% under demand and need imports. The present drought (also common here) has little effect, and South Africa regularly exports considerable food.
Almost all of South Africa became the home of the Whites before it became the home of the Blacks. Most of the Blacks were migrants from the north and returned frequently.
In terms of industry, South Africa is the Japan of Africa. South African Blacks share in these successes and have the highest literacy and standard of living of Blacks among the 400 million in Africa. When we were there the unemployment of the Blacks was below 8%. Ours is 30% or more.
As a result, Blacks and Whites in neighboring countries continue to migrate to South Africa; and no one leaves. In the last 70 years, South African Blacks have increased ten fold, the Whites only three-fold. A 7-to-1 ratio now exists. The ratio explains why South Africa doesn’t dare grant voting rights to the Blacks. It would obviously result in a complete Black takeover. However , South Africa does place many Blacks in governmental positions . Actually Blacks never did vote in Africa because their culture revolves around tribal councils and chiefs.
Now what is the answer to the voting problem? Many of the Blacks in South Africa were not born there. Should South Africa grant voting rights only to Black natives? Should it bar all those who had less than a 6th grade education? Remember almost all of the Blacks pouring in from surrounding countries came because they wanted a better livelihood, found it and stayed. They didn’t vote where they came from, nor expect to vote where they were going. Now we insist they vote, and are trying to wreck their country if they don’t! How ridiculous! We and all the other countries should stay out of South Africa and let them solve their own problems. All we do is stir up discontentment!
T hat Black tribalism is still so strong in South Africa was a surprise to most of us. There are 9 distinct tribes and the hatred between them is generations old, and usually much stronger between tribes than between Blacks and Whites. This is apparent in the present uprising and riots. Of the 600 Blacks killed, practically all were killed by Blacks. Few Whites were involved.
Another good reason for South African opposition to a Black government follows from failures of the 30 nations in Africa that were pushed into Black control by the identical external and internal forces that South Africa is experiencing now. The Blacks were not ready! Tribalism is still strong among Blacks and became open warfare–thousands killed—economies failed—the work force deteriorated Marxism moved into almost all countries and starvation followed. Now most Blacks vote Russian style—only one candidate—or as some analysts said, “1-man, 1-vote , 1-time.” For confirmation of these facts, we may read about Zimbabwe (Rhodesia)—a recent victim. It would be a catastrophe if South Africa would be forced to follow its lead.
Clarence E. Bruins, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
