Greetings,
When I was out with the EFF activist group before their nationwide protest, I met a rastafari who gave an unexpected perspective on the ongoing power crisis and the political climate in the country.
The rastafari, named Icliff, was selling fruits and marijuana at a stand next to the EFF activist action, and Icliff told me he believes the situation in South Africa was better during apartheid compared to now. It is a controversial stance down here, especially when many of the problems in not only South Africa but all of Africa are often attributed to colonization.
In private settings, you can hear some white people talking about how things worked better during apartheid times, but it's not something they would express publicly. They are seen as the former oppressors, and such a statement could be interpreted as nostalgia for, or a defense of, apartheid.
Certain opinions may be easier for black people to express, as that dimension disappears from the equation. Icliff argued that it was better during apartheid in terms of the societal functions that must be in place for us to live what we consider a decent life – like reliable electricity, running drinking water, and roads that are whole and safe to drive on. Poorly maintained roads not only hinder one's opportunities but can even be life-threatening. The only roads down here that meet European standards are the large national roads, but as soon as you turn off them, it's "free for all."
The interesting trade-off in Icliff's statement is that he viewed life as more bearable under an organized society that excluded him from large parts of society than today's rainbow nation. Today, he has the same rights as everyone else in the South African society, but the society does not function. Although the same rights for everyone exist, the opportunities are still very limited to do anything with these rights because there is a lack of proper infrastructure to rely on.
I have edited together a short video where Icliff sells his drugs and talks about how it was better before. Watch the video, at the top of this newsletter, to get a different insight into the South African reality.
Soon, I will be launching a mini-documentary about South Africa's power crisis and the EFF's protests, where I will explore the subject in greater detail and present a variety of voices and perspectives. Keep an eye out for it!
Thank you for following me and supporting my work. I appreciate your engagement and look forward to sharing more insights with you soon.
Best regards,
Jonas Nilsson
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