One of the most insidious and enduring images of apartheid remains the public park bench stamped with the words 'slegs blankes' – whites only. What made it so offensive was not so much that it was a manifestation of a twisted ideology, but that it openly taunted people of colour. It teased and tormented them, “you're not allowed here, you're not worthy, go somewhere else”. It was an unambiguous, in-your-face reminder of their forced position in the country's pecking order. What made it even more hurtful and mocking was that the bench was in a public space where anyone should have been allowed to sit.

Apartheid was dressed up by its architect HF Verwoerd as simply part of a regulated programme to streamline his vision of 'seperate development'. Its design had seemingly noble intentions, yet before long it had taken root and embedded itself into every facet of our life through a tightly woven net of laws that robbed the majority of this country's citizens of their rights and their self-esteem. At the same time a relentless and sophisticated propaganda machine assured us that 'seperate development' was somehow for the greater good of the motherland. Whites were gradually immersed into this ideology so that by the time the signs were stenciled onto the backs of the park benches, most of us thought nothing of them because, to a large degree, they made sense. Now they're like dark and distant nightmares.

Any yet it seems they're back to haunt us. Two South African companies, namely Media 24 and Multichoice have recently announced programmes providing the public with the opportunity to become 'shareholders' in the companies. There's a catch: they're for blacks only; whites are not allowed. These companies can get away with this because we have all become conditioned to believe that anything that is done to 'empower' black people – especially in terms of economic upliftment - is good.

But is it? Here is the critical question: at what stage does BEE become racist? Whites in South Africa seem comfortable with the justifiability of BEE, as a concept. However, its execution has, truth be told, been lacking in balance and perspective. The visible reality of its execution is everywhere: from phrases such as 'appointments are made in accordance with our commitment to Affirmative Action' in the job section of newspapers to the increasing stream of regulations concerning the colour composition of corporate executive teams. The more subtle reality has become internalised by whites, so that now they understand that if they apply for a job the chances are they won't receive any reply; and that if their company is to grow, sooner or later they wil be challenged over their BEE policies and the race composition of their executive team. The reality is that BEE is a rule of the game in which the tide of preference flows towards those of colour; and whites must live with its conditions and subtle idiosyncracies, no matter how frustrating they may be. And, to a certain degree, that's okay.

However, when a public company – in which anyone may buy shares - brazenly announces that whites are not allowed to take part in an initiative; they cross the line. Instead of supporting a process of 'correction', where whites are considered previously advantaged, they promote a course that is 'corrective', where whites are considered illegitimate. It is hurtful and offensive; and it is wrong.

Media 24 and Multichoice have, in a shallow attempt to bolster their standing amongst a section of this country's population, taken refuge within the convoluted moral and regulatory foundations of BEE and, from a position of perceived safety, stabbed a taunting finger at South Africa's white consumers. If no-one takes issue with these companies, then like Verwoerd's dressed up notion of 'seperate development', BEE will take an ignomious slide towards unmitigated and uncontrolled racism – a new apartheid.

Fuck this shit, how does this really benefit anyone apart from black people? BEE should have existed for one generation i.e. the ones that may indeed have suffered from apartheid, and not be repeated over and over so people who are in no way disadvantaged still reap the benfits.

Fuck this shit, how does this really benefit anyone apart from black people?

BEE should have existed for one generation i.e. the ones that may indeed have suffered from apartheid, and not be repeated over and over so people who are in no way disadvantaged still reap the benfits.

Apartheid lasted for well over 50 years. The benefits that white people had over other races was compounded over those years. Take this example: You are white, you study at an elite university (because your white parents had money, which they got due to being white and NOT on merit), you then get a high paying job. Then you have kids, who are put through good schools and top-class university's... etc etc. The cycle continues. My point is made!

Apartheid lasted for well over 50 years. The benefits that white people had over other races was compounded over those years. Take this example: You are white, you study at an elite university (because your white parents had money, which they got due to being white and NOT on merit), you then get a high paying job. Then you have kids, who are put through good schools and top-class university's... etc etc. The cycle continues. My point is made!

So don't fucking come in here with bullshit about how whites had money only because of apartheid and racial prejudice! Some people worked themselves to death to provide for their kids.

we never got anything for free because of aparthied!

So now it's reverse racism I am faced with?

Did South Africa not learn that racial segregation won't dissappear until we start living with each other as equals?

BEE is Apartheid with a different name.

I just want a fair chance to prove myself in the work place but I can't because of Apartheid?

So take your narrow minded, ignorant "point" and shove it some where specific!

Fuck you buddy!

That is just weak.

You think that every successful white in South Africa is/was successful simply as a direct result of Apartheid?

You think that every successful white South African would have failed without Apartheid?

That a white couldn't make it, for example, overseas without an Apartheid system?

Take this example: You are white, you study at an elite university (because your white parents had money, which they got due to being white and NOT on merit), you then get a high paying job. Then you have kids, who are put through good schools and top-class university's... etc etc. The cycle continues. My point is made!

QUOTE

Fuck you buddy!

Is that what you always say when you DONT have an effective argument against what was said?!!? How "intellectual" of you!!!!

I should know because my mother is an FNB bank manager and she would come home every night and tell me how these people flocked to the banks to buy shares and how proud they were that they could. Imagine someone who has been a cleaner all her life, now has the chance to buy shares, to enjoy in the profits thereof and pass it on to her children. And I admit, I bought shares as well and so did my parents, something they would not have been able to do during the apartheid era.

NOT ALL WHITES were supporting Apartheid and NOT ALL WHITES were exploiting the system to line their pockets. Some people worked hard for what they had. SO, if I went to a so called "elite" school it's coz my parents worked themselves to death to send me there.

Its been over 10 years now that SA has a free democratic society and during this past decade the distribution of wealth in society has shifted and the number of blacks possessing high positions have changed. So therefore there should be an adaptation/modification/streamline of the BEE policy so that it can take into account the current societal position. I think the BEE focus should be shifted to concentrate on the poor black communities and getting jobs and creating opportunities for them, to the exclusion of the upper class blacks, those possessing high positions, earning a high salary etc.

No buddy! That's what I say when some "know it all" shit head offends me with the trash he wants to perpetuate. It's people like you who will hold this country back

The "previously dis-advantaged" are still dis-advantaged. Nothing has really changed.

True democracy? PAH!

QUOTE

No buddy! That's what I say when some "know it all" shit head offends me with the trash he wants to perpetuate. It's people like you who will hold this country back

I don't know why you're so offended?!! You explicitly stated that your parents worked hard for their living during Apartheid. If that is really the case, then you have no reason to be, but, perhaps you're feeling guilty about being part of the priveliged minority while millions of the oppressed majority died at the hands of your own brethren!! Just a thought....

And exactly how are people like me holding this country back? By questioning your "priveliged" status during Apartheid

QUOTE
True democracy? PAH!

Yes, everyone gets the vote now, not just one minority!!

No. A lot has changed. All the countries wealth no longer resides only in teh hands of white people!!!

dick head

Fuck you buddy!

I just want a fair chance to prove myself in the work place but I can't because of Apartheid?

Source: Published in the Saturday Star on Saturday 21 October, 2006
Link

Does anyone else feel this crosses the line? Anyone feel offended by the "No Whites" policy?

Hmmm......

I think BEE as a whole needs to be redeveloped as a policy which enables equal distribution of wealth in the country, especially given our apartheid past. It needs to be redeveloped in a way that does not ostracize other racial groups to the extent that it becomes unfair discrimination which cannot be justified.

We all discriminate on a daily basis against others, we open the door for women and not for men, we give up our seats to the elderly but not to the young, etc. Those are example of fair discrimination, it becomes unfair discrimination when it targets a specific group and no justification can be provided therefore. Thing is, here with the Multichoice shares, the justification is that the black community had been previously disadvantaged to a large extent and therefore the Multichoice policy has the aim of uplifting their economic position within society. Many ordinary black people now have the chance to own shares in a company, that in itself is an amazing feat for them. I should know because my mother is an FNB bank manager and she would come home every night and tell me how these people flocked to the banks to buy shares and how proud they were that they could. Imagine someone who has been a cleaner all her life, now has the chance to buy shares, to enjoy in the profits thereof and pass it on to her children. And I admit, I bought shares as well and so did my parents, something they would not have been able to do during the apartheid era.

With all that said however, not all whites are rich, not all of them own wine farms or have holiday houses in Clifton. And I fully agree with Carrots that there should be a benchmark determined by a person's income, not race. Alot of people have worked hard to be in their position they are right now, whether they are white, black, coloured or indian. All races should have been given the opportunity to benefit from the Multichoice policy so that South Africa as a society could prosper together and try to put to rest racial segregation in all aspects and in any degree.

I can understand why Multichoice decided to add the racial element as a condition for buying of the shares since they wanted to uplift a previously disadvantaged group. However, policies such as these and BEE as a concept is inherently flawed as a method to mend and heal a society that has the past that we have. I believe that positions in a company should be earned based on merit, not because you are a disadvantaged member of society or because your daddy plays golf with the CEO. But BEE does have the benefit of giving others an opportunity to earn a higher salary or have a higher position in the company, something they would not have had 14 years ago. BEE as a policy was introduced very early on in our democratic history and served to address the issue of unequal wealth distribution in society at the time. Its been over 10 years now that SA has a free democratic society and during this past decade the distribution of wealth in society has shifted and the number of blacks possessing high positions have changed. So therefore there should be an adaptation/modification/streamline of the BEE policy so that it can take into account the current societal position. I think the BEE focus should be shifted to concentrate on the poor black communities and getting jobs and creating opportunities for them, to the exclusion of the upper class blacks, those possessing high positions, earning a high salary etc.


By trying to fix the injustices of the past, the government has perpetuated the feeling of injustice amongst the races, a feeling that threatens to ruin the future.

Cyberstorm, my point with BEE existing for one generation is that 'two wrongs aren't going to make a right:' it can only exist for a certain time before we're just repeating the same mistake we made with apartheid the first time. It may take longer than that, or it may not, but either way I still have a problem with the whole idea.

For example: when I was at varsity I was often approached by black students who were trying to rally support to reinstate student aid, which was the government subsidy that had recently been cut. I always refused straight away as I worked hard to pay for my fees, which was usually met with insults and dirty looks, but one time this happened the guy completely flipped out and accused me of being racist and selfish.

Apparently, I was enjoying an easy life because my parents were white, and they paid for my car, varsity fees, etc. I told him to go fuck himself, as I was paying for my own car and fees, and I worked a couple of part time jobs to do so. When I suggested he get a job to pay for his education, he told me, 'Education is a right, not a privilege.' I asked him who he thought paid the lecturers, or the cleaning staff, or who funded the study materials, etc., and he just walked off.

It's this stupid attitude that makes me regret the whole BEE idea: there are some people who are looking for a free ride from it, and these people probably would never have been successful whether they'd experienced apartheid or not. Now they see an easy ticket out, and they're taking full advantage. Hence, my idea that BEE should only exist for a limited, fixed amount of time.

What I found even more ironic was that these students fighting for financial aid demonstrated their cause by disrupting lectures and vandalising varsity property, both at a cost to the university which other people would have to pay for. Sigh.

Your really swear a lot. I don't take offense to any of the name-calling. And yes, I know its fight club and its "legal" here but did you ever think the reason you cant "prove" yourself in the workplace, is NOT because you're white but because you're a complete arsehole. Shouting obsceneties at people who have differing opinions to your own is totally unnecessary.

As Milano pointed out, at 21 you don't even know what the full impact/implications of apartheid actually were on white society.

Who says I am not excelling at my current career at this point in my life?
Do you know me?
Do you know where I work?

No? then STFU and stay on topic you fucking loser!

I've had experience in the past where I've been turned down for job just because I am white.

So what does that make you exactly?

Words like numbskull, dimwitted, naive and plebian come to mind. But I think that would be kind.

but I do know what it is like to live in South Africa at the moment.

So in my opinion, these things should never be forced, and things should be allowed to happen as they would in a society in which there ARE NO colour differences. Everyone is able to reach their full potential through work, improvement and betterment, not through distinguishing yourself from society through some completely irrelevant aspect of your humanity such as colour and expecting everything to fall into your l

In all the posts I've made after my first one on this thread, I have been simply presenting counters to comments made by a people.

These counters have been responses to narrow minded thinking. Thinking like that of rurounikenshin.

My opinion of Apartheid is one of pure despisement. That will never change!

The simple point I was trying to make from the start of this topic was that as discriminatory as BEE is it needs to happen - but only for a very short period of time.

Like it or not, its here to stay! The question is for how long?

BEE has been in place since 1994, which means its now in its 13th year. Thats long enough for an entire generation of babies to be born under freedom, having never directly felt the effects of Apartheid.

In case anyone doesnt get this point --> I WANT BEE TO END!!! <-- Sooner, rather than later!!!



Yes I totally agree with you!

We all need to move forward as a nation.
Apartheid is over and I have put it behind me just like the majority of South Africa's citizens.

I was referring to the fact that maybe the reason you didnt get that one position was because you are an arsehole and not because of BEE or the fact that you're white!

And finally...yes.. I was on topic.

Get realistic...swearing doesnt achive anything except prove to us all what a poor, previously advantaged moron you really are!!!!!

Let me explain something to you pencil dick, I was told from the start of the interview that they compnay HAD to interview a certain percentage of whites. The job was for a BEE person and NO WHITE person would've got the job.

You're so thick infact that not only do you now know what you're talking about, you've also practically re-written the history of apartheid to suite your arguement.

Let me explain something to you pencil dick, I was told from the start of the interview that they compnay HAD to interview a certain percentage of whites. The job was for a BEE person and NO WHITE person would've got the job.

So, then once you were told this why did you still go ahead with the interview.

I think you have outdone yourself on this one. You are actually dumber than I thought!!
Well done....100 points for you!!!!

Re-written?? Where did you get that from?? A lucky packet! LOL!

What I said about apartheid is 100% documented fact.

ahemmmm......^^ And there we have it fellow V9er's....surprise, surprise....Guess who doesnt know how to proporly structure an effective argument and ends up sounding like a total moron.

The prevailing status quo at the time meant that if you were white you gained. PERIOD!!!

but i have one question:if you were the governing body of this country, what would you've done to make it free and fair for everyone? hard decision to make

Think about this:
it is the year 1980. 2 boys are born on the exact same day, same minute, everything, except the one boy is white, and is born in a private hospital in johannesburg, while the other is colored, and born in a government clinic.