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I know, another “black white article”, one for which I am prepared to take the critique. Afford me the courtesy of starting my article with the following quote from a true South African hero, to wit Mr Steven Bantu Biko: -
"So as a prelude whites must be made to realise that they are only human, not superior. Same with Blacks. They must be made to realise that they are also human, not inferior."
I have read a plethora of comments on this site with one underlying message; black people in general are incompetent. Dear South Africa that could not be further from the truth.
I am reminded of the condescending comments when the SAA decided to have more black pilots in their cadet program. I can remember the underlying theme was that we will now see more plane crashes. These comments, mostly derogatory by nature, serves only to remind us that in the minds of some being black renders you incompetent. Dear South Africa that could not be further from the truth. For us to accept that blacks are incompetent to fly is to negate the achievements of someone like Captain Eric Manentsa who has been in aviation for more than 30 years. If he could do it, what is to prohibit other young black men and women to follow suit?
I have read comments where people would say they would never allow a black surgeon to operate on them. Notwithstanding us being deprived of so many by the erstwhile regime, we are reminded of the skills of the likes of Hamilton Naki. Oh, what a great and inspiring mind he had, but South Africa you would like to infer that by being black, a person should stay away from medicine. Young black men and women, please do not allow South Africa to make you feel incompetent, Dr. Sandile Khubheka didn’t. If you have dreams of becoming a doctor, find inspiration in him, rather than in a South Africa who dares to tell you that you are incompetent.
In sport South Africa will remind us on a daily basis of how incompetent we are. Of how black rugby and cricket players are merely quotas. Young black men, if you want to play cricket and South Africa dares telling you that you a mere quota, who does not deserve to be on a cricket pitch, make reference to the likes of Makhaya Ntini. Why can you not be the next Ntini? Why can you not be the next Beast Mtawarira or a Siyamthanda 'Siya' Kolisi, who notwithstanding so many odds are making their marks on the South African sports scene. Go to some research on a Lukas Radebe for instance see the mark he left in Leeds United. Dear South Africa don’t you dare crushing the dreams of young black sportsmen and women with your condescending attitudes towards them.
Dear South Africa, you often remind us that black people have never invented a thing in their lives. How wrong could you be? If ever you think like that again, dear South Africa, be reminded of Dr. Mulalo Doyoyo. Read up on him. To say black people have never invented anything is extremely disingenuous, as you would have to deny the likes of George Washington Carver, Bailey, L.C, Bell, Earl S, etc.
Dear South Africa, have you not wronged our people enough? Being black does not make you incompetent as pigmentation does not define a person. Dear South Africa I thought by now, you have learned that lesson, sadly comments on this site and so many others proves the contrary.
