Hello All:
Well, now for some good news: Today, April 27, 2020, marks the 26th Anniversary of SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY. Normally we celebrate it will elaborately, with our South African Brothers and Sisters, many of whom are members of the ANC. However, this year, in the new abnormal of social distancing, we have had to forego that pleasure.
Many of us remember, however, the day Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island, after having been held prisoner for 27 years under the heinous tenets of apartheid - and an egregiously oppressive, racist system that kept millions of BLACK South Africans under the heels of white interlopers. Originally called Boers, or Trekkers, from the Dutch who invaded in the 1600s, and eventually becoming under the rulership of the Brits - who weren't much better - our brothers and sister suffered from the same horrendous oppression as African Americans.
African Freedom Day marks the first Free Elections where Black South Africans were able to vote for the first time in the history of South Africa - electing Nelson Mandela as their first Black president. I love Mandela's spirit and wisdom - he was a Cancerian, and so his nurturing and forgiving spirit probably spared South Africa years of civil conflict. They were able to have a "peaceful" transition of power. Had it been an Aries, such as myself, I would have probably started out with opening a can of whip-ass and retribution for all the years of oppression, murder, privation, rape and degradation they had visited on my people - and then I would have been able to calmly sit down and do a reconciliation program. They are lucky and blessed to have had this wonderful, valiant, strong, resilient, powerful, articulate Fine Black Man. He, in turn, was lucky and blessed to have had Winnie Mandela to continue his work while he was held behind bars as an unlawful detainee - a rule they had in South Africa where they could hold you as long as they wanted, for no particular reason, and you had no right of appeal.
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| NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA |
African Americans, once we finally knew the history of Nelson Mandela, and the injustices he suffered for the liberation of his people - largely conveyed via wonderful people like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masakela - and the play Sarafina - among other things - we were instrumental in shutting down all trade and interaction with South Africa and any company investing in, or doing business with South Africa - from the late 1980s until the beginning of the 1990a.
It was so intense that Black entertainers who defied us found themselves without an audience, their businesses shut down (ask Millie Jackson - who defied us to get the money she was offered - she found herself totally shut down and never made a return). When we said "We Ain't Going to Sing In Sun City" we meant it! More importantly, we went after the corporations and made their lives living hell. We refused to purchase their products, watch shows they sponsored, picketed their board meetings. We were relentless. While the ANC was boots on the ground in South Africa, African Americans were in the US, number one trading partner to South Africa, boycotting cars, food, clothes and anything else that they had anything to do with.
Now, it's 26 years later and, while there's much to celebrate, there's also still much to do to really make South Africa's dream come true. There still large numbers of businesses that are in the hands on the colonial monsters there, that were never transferred over to Black South Africans. And those that were, they were not able to manage or maintain hem because of lack of education and training - so they eventually ended up losing or destroy it as a result. The redistribution of wealth has not been fully realized.
Our victory was realized when Mandela was elected president, and when he came to the US - to NYC - who was honored by a parade and reception organized by then mayor David N. Dinkins. The entire city rolled out for him. And for the first time Black people were allowed in the South African Embassy in the front door, to do other than menial jobs. We learned all the stanzas to Nkosi Sikelele Africa, and shouted AMANDLA throughout the time we visited them.
The day of liberation always sticks out in my mind because of an incidence that could have developed into international conflict. The South African Embassy had some beautiful Xhosa sisters from South Africa who were there making beaded bracelets, and some bony white south african females (putting it mildly) who were standing over them as if they were in charge - actually trying to stand between them and African Americans. The bracelets were wonderful - one was made for me as I watched - it was a beautiful serpentine silvergrey and black beads - as she made it, I remembered thinking how beautiful it was to have such a wonderful skill (I could never make anything so wonderful).
| Hand made South African Bracelet |
I asked her how much did I owe her, and extended a Twenty Dollar Bill toward her. She looked at me and said nothing. Indicating that it was a gift. And the white female stepped in and reached for the money, saying "She doesn't know; she's indigent." I looked at her and said, "Indigent? Who made her indigent," I could feel my temper rising, as I was getting ready to smack the taste out of her mouth at the audacity of an oppressor coming between me and this South African Sister. Then I asked her, "Did you make this bracelet? Do you know how to make the bracelet?!!?" I guess I was basically escalating, because my friend, Maxine McCrey Montano, had to step in between us before I did bodily harm. The white female had turned beet red. I took the $20 and pressed it into the sister's hand, and told the white femaie if I heard anything about her taking the money from her, I would personally come back and open a can of African American whipass all over her. She backed away from us, with Maxine still holding me back. We still laugh about that to this day.
I absolutely cherished that bracelet and wore it with everything every day until someone stole it in 2018 - during a visit. Brothers and sisters from South Africa would always comment on how special the design was.
By the way, this is why I said that I, as an Aries, would never have made a good transition president for South Africa coming out of Apartheid. Thank goodness they had Nelson Madiba Mandela.
GOD BLESS THE MEMORY AND LEGACY OF NELSON MANDELA: AMANDLA!!
In honor of South African Freedom Day, I am sharing a letter from South African Brother/Friend Dr. Godfrey Sithole, of the ANC and the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs or Philadelphia, PA. We will be celebrating for the rest of the month - Much Love and Congratulations to our Brothers and Sisters in South Africa on the
26th Anniversary of SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY!!
HAPPY FREEDOM DAY SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Dr. Godfrey Sithole, ANC/SA
It is now 26 years since we got our freedom. It did not come easy. Many lives were lost during the
period of Apartheid which was a crime against humanity. Today's Freedom Day comes at a time when
there is a lock down in our country. For the first time in our history people are celebrating in their homes.
There are no public celebrations because of coronavirus 19 which is devastating the entire world.
As we celebrate this day, we woke up with good news in South Africa. A plane landed at Waterkloof
Airport with Cuban doctors who have come to help fighting this evil disease which knows no color, race,
rich, poor, gender, age or boundaries. Indeed, it is menace to humanity. Many countries have lost their loved ones, young and old. There was no anticipation for this.Our lives have been ruined beyond repair. We cannot forget the Cubans who fought the Aparthied forces at the battle of Cuito Cuanavale where the racist forces were defeated in 1988. Who can forget that.
We celebrate this year knowing quite well that the struggle is not over. What we know today is that the economic battle is being fought on all fronts. This disease is delaying that fight at a very high cost. Many of our citizens are in deep poverty not knowing when it will end. But, be assured that the present Government of the African National Congress (ANC) will fight this battle to the bitter end as it fought the Apartheid system.
On this date we honor all those fought with us, some whom died in the process. We thank those who sacrificed their own lives. Please continue to bond with us as we march on. We cannot forget the father of the Nation, Nelson Mandela, and many others who fought with him - THE HIGH COMMAND OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS.
The African National Congress has been in power since the dawn of our freedom. There is no party coming close to remove the ANC. It is working very hard to improve the lives of our people. There are still obstacles in the path of working for our people. We know that in 1994 when our people voted for the ANC they did not have houses, water, electricity and many other things that we take for granted. Today, they have some of these things, even though it is not enough. Some of the things cannot happen over night. But the ANC is there for our people even during this period.
The African National Congress has been in power since the dawn of our freedom. There is no party coming close to remove the ANC. It is working very hard to improve the lives of our people. There are still obstacles in the path of working for our people. We know that in 1994 when our people voted for the ANC they did not have houses, water, electricity and many other things that we take for granted. Today, they have some of these things, even though it is not enough. Some of the things cannot happen over night. But the ANC is there for our people even during this period.
So friends, know that the ANC is for a better South Africa, no matter what. Viva ANC!!!!!!!!!!
Godfrey
Godfrey
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
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| Gloria Dulan-Wilson |
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