Racism cuts both ways

Abstract

In 1995 the Springboks won the world rugby tournament, and in 1996 Bafana Bafana won the African Cup of Nations in soccer. Nelson Mandela was then the State President and honorary captain of both teams. He was also the champion of reconciliation, social cohesion and nation-building. As a country and as people we seemed to be working hard to realise the ideals of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. Alas! Fifteen years there-after, we are retreating into the dark days. The race card is played willy nilly, and by all, as if there was never a watershed election in 1994. In their rejection of white racism, many of the formerly oppressed epitomise the very racism that has harmed their dignity and sense of worth.