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A new wave of tribalism in South Africa’s infant democracy is slowly raising from the ashes of the past. The politics of service delivery has turned in to a new wave of tribalism in Limpopo. The legacy of colonialism and apartheid can be blamed for this problem. However, it will always need wise leadership to forge an inclusive society.
The recent symptoms of tribalism that we are witnessing in Limpopo between Xitsonga speaking people and Tshivenda speaking people is proof that we still have a long way to go as a country. History shows that no amount of segregation orchestrated by the apartheid government could achieve its mission of dividing Xitsonga and Tshivenda speaking people.
These people stayed together in harmony for centuries and continue to do so in the democratic dispensation. This came after 13 years of grievances for an independent municipality by the residents of Malamulele who wanted to be separate from Thulamela Municipality. This fuelled tribalism when others saw it as a way of returning to homeland rule.
When the Municipal Demarcation Board’s (MDB) finally acceded to their demand, they gave them a municipality that was inclusive to areas such as Vuwani, which currently falls under the Makhado Municipality. This led to a division by the residents in Vuwani, with some arguing that they could not be removed from Makhado Municipality to a poor municipality with no proven capability.
How can you subject a baby to failure before it is conceived?
MDB has set up a 30-day objection period before the new municipality can be confirmed. It is worrying to note that what was supposed to be a remedy is dismally failing to cure the condition. It must be noted that in this scenario the root cause of the problem is shoddy service delivery. Malamulele and Vuwani people must learn to object the decision in good faith rather than resorting to violence and playing the race card.
A call to set up own development agenda by community members must not be construed as a way of playing the tribal card. We must always shun away from playing the tribal card and focus at the matter at hand in our quest to build a caring, just and equal society. The tendency of playing the tribal card should be strongly condemned before it reverses the gains of our infant democracy.
The reasons given by Vuwani people are neither here nor there since it is self -evident that many people are scared of change. Refusing to be incorporated in to the new municipality on the basis of no proven record is tantamount to saying you don’t trust yourself to set your own development agenda. Participatory democracy allows people to partake in the setting of own development agenda and the proposal by the MDB is a way of involving the community in matters of public interest.
I don’t mind who leads me as long as I get good service delivery and a favourable condition to unleash my potential. The tribalism that is brewing must be condemned and shamed before it gets out of hand and destroy our young democracy. It is worrying that no political leader from any of the political parties has stood out to condemn this wave of tribalism.
