For those who rely on the local press and SABC the connection to and view of the outside world is somewhat restricted. Therefore that it is the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings tomorrow is hardly being mentioned. This type of news filtering and history distorting view is, however, not new in South Africa. An example..........
One of the consequences of the Anglo-Boer war was a deep division in white South African society. You were Pro-Brit (the Botha/Smuts/South African Party camp) or anti-Brit (the Hertzog/Malan/Nationalist Party Camp). You would be asked bluntly ‘Is jy NAT of SAP?’ (are you SA Party or Nat Party) and either were embraced or had to defend yourself.
Whilst in office the old SA Party led South Africa into two World Wars to which we made a large contribution. Those who opposed our involvement rebelled both in 1914 and at the start of WW11. Both uprisings being put down by force by the Botha/Smuts Governments. The result was even deeper division in an already divided house.
When the Nationalists gained power in 1948 they did their best to erase the memory of our involvement in ’Britain’s Wars’. They tinkered with the armed forces; wanted to change all rank names; took away officers’ swords and tried to introduce a fascist looking uniform uniform for all personnel. No Defence Force officers could attend Armistice Day parades and when the SA WW11 fighter ace Sailor Malan died no representative of the Government attended his funeral. Even school bugle bands could not parade in anything where a Union Jack was likely to be waved.
Then came the ‘total onslaught’ period during the 1970’s and 80’s. A new tack was introduced . The Nationalist’s paraded South Africa as the champions of civilisation in darkest Africa. Whilst bearing this torch SA was also the bulwark against creeping Communism. Now the West should help or at least understand ‘because we helped you in two world wars and Korea’
Suddenly PW Botha had something else to waggle his finger about. To drive the point even further home the simple, understated, monument at Delville Wood had to be enlarged. An overstated, over articulated, complex was built that groaned under the weight of heavy handed built-form sentiment.
But all to no avail. History has moved on and not much happened before 1994 except the struggle. The news now consists of murder, scandal and word of a glorious victory – Bfana-Bfana has defeated Cape Verde in a soccer match. I think I’ll go back to watch the BBC and Sky News for coverage of the D-Day commemoration
One of the consequences of the Anglo-Boer war was a deep division in white South African society. You were Pro-Brit (the Botha/Smuts/South African Party camp) or anti-Brit (the Hertzog/Malan/Nationalist Party Camp). You would be asked bluntly ‘Is jy NAT of SAP?’ (are you SA Party or Nat Party) and either were embraced or had to defend yourself.
Whilst in office the old SA Party led South Africa into two World Wars to which we made a large contribution. Those who opposed our involvement rebelled both in 1914 and at the start of WW11. Both uprisings being put down by force by the Botha/Smuts Governments. The result was even deeper division in an already divided house.
When the Nationalists gained power in 1948 they did their best to erase the memory of our involvement in ’Britain’s Wars’. They tinkered with the armed forces; wanted to change all rank names; took away officers’ swords and tried to introduce a fascist looking uniform uniform for all personnel. No Defence Force officers could attend Armistice Day parades and when the SA WW11 fighter ace Sailor Malan died no representative of the Government attended his funeral. Even school bugle bands could not parade in anything where a Union Jack was likely to be waved.
Then came the ‘total onslaught’ period during the 1970’s and 80’s. A new tack was introduced . The Nationalist’s paraded South Africa as the champions of civilisation in darkest Africa. Whilst bearing this torch SA was also the bulwark against creeping Communism. Now the West should help or at least understand ‘because we helped you in two world wars and Korea’
Suddenly PW Botha had something else to waggle his finger about. To drive the point even further home the simple, understated, monument at Delville Wood had to be enlarged. An overstated, over articulated, complex was built that groaned under the weight of heavy handed built-form sentiment.
But all to no avail. History has moved on and not much happened before 1994 except the struggle. The news now consists of murder, scandal and word of a glorious victory – Bfana-Bfana has defeated Cape Verde in a soccer match. I think I’ll go back to watch the BBC and Sky News for coverage of the D-Day commemoration
posted by Malcolm @ 6:14 pm
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