Miners Protest Magnifies South Africa's Struggles With Apartheid Conditions in Wealth Distribution



South African mners of Lomin Mine protest wages.
They are seen wearing tribal clothes during protest.

When the white South African regime brokered deals with jailed leader Nelson Mandela prior to Mandela's release in the 1990s, there were several agreements that were made regarding wealth distribution in the severely Apartheid torn nation.

It was a deal that Winnie Mandela is still, openly hypercritical towards because it left majority of South Africa, a largely black nation, dependent on whites to dictate wealth, and has played in the continual destabilization of the African National Congress. Resultantly, it were the terms of that complex agreement that are directly tied to the miners protest on August 16, 2012.

Mandela agreed to terms that shifted much of the political power to blacks, yet the economic power stayed in the hands of whites, hence the mines and multinational, long standing corporations are all  white owned in South Africa.

Another aspect of the agreement were that white government workers who did not want to work alongside blacks in federal jobs could retire with a pension for life immediately. As a result, South Africa has to fork over a chunk of its budget to a pension system that pays whites who retired from work as early as 18 years old.

Although South Africa is rich in minerals and natural resources that could balance the budget and create more wealth, the white domination, white privatization and control of the money flow has made it difficult for the upward mobility of a majority black population and increased enhancement of South Africa's infrastructure that is dire need of a better public education and hospitals.


Mark Munroe, left, executive vice president for mining at Lonmin,
speaks alongside chief financial officer Simon Scott.

Whites have privatized much of their existence. Schools, hospitals, neighborhoods and businesses are in the hands of whites who were in staunch support of Apartheid. Unfortunately, when Apartheid was dismantled, their worldview did not switch; yet whites have reaped all of the rewards from the ending of the sanctions, boycotts and embargoes against South African countries during the Apartheid regime.

Today, South Africa has progressed politically, yet the wealth distribution has created bigger gaps in the haves and have-nots. Miners have not received proper increase of pay, health plans or sustainable living benefits for their families.

As well, a large sector of the labor, which is still in mining, receives pittance wages, but these mines have not been regulated for the gross environmental damage they have caused to towns who live close to the mountains of unearthed dirt that blow toxic soil on windy days, along with other issues.

What the miners of Lonmin were protesting were an increase of wages from about US $600 to $1500 a month. The average day for a miner is 15 hours underground with shadey safety conditions. Most miners still work in conditions where they are separated from wives and families who live in the rural area.

Lonmin is the third largest platinum mine in the world, and has been refusing to budge in the wage increase like other local mines who have responded to the national debate regarding the mines being privatized. More importantly, the now suspended ANC Youth League leader  Julius Malema was demanding that South African government nationalize the mines to bring wealth to the people rather than keep it in the hands of few.

SA President Zuma talks to miners.

ANC leaders, such as current president Jacob Zuma saw his actions as divisive and disagreed. Zuma, as well as others like Mandela, opt for a plan that gradually, but with little certainty, shifts wealth.

For example, the resettlement plan of South Africa that gives land and homes to South Africans who once lived in Shanty towns, or were ripped from their homelands, is an iniative of wealth redistribution.

Nonetheless, the gap that has widened between white wealth and black poverty, added by growing costs of living in South Africa are making the average black South African anxious and disappointed. Add to the that, the ANC is weakening from within, which further makes governing and staying in power more diffcult.

Yet the cold truth is emerging amongst black South Africans through their controversial, and ineffective head-of-state, black power without black wealth is only a mere puppet to the highest bidder.

The protest that occured and the cold response by Lonmin executives is a reminder that the past is not far away, and that the past is the current. The racist, color-stratified, white racist regime is alive and kcking.

Women family members of miners eye police at Lonmine Mines.

African Americans gawked at how black police officers were involved in killing their own black countrymen, but those of us who understand oppression know that all to often the oppress perpetuate their oppression better than their oppressors.

South Africa is much like the US in its racial politics and issues. Just because Obama is president and South Africa has black presidents and Mandela has been free for over 20 years, does not make any two of the countries post-racial.

Just like an ordinary day in New York, Chicago, New Orleans or Los Angeles. As Zora Neale Hurston prophetically said, 'Your skin folk ain't [always] your kinfolk.'

Those black officers probably really believe they were doing what was right along with white officers who are paid a little more than the miners.

Both are still perpetuating the residuls of a white South African regime that suppresses black enfranchisement, and protect white wealth.

Paul Ryan's Black Ex-Girlfriend Does Matter

Funny  thing, I could not find a picture with Ryan and one black person.

Paul Ryan's recent disclosure of having a serious relationship with a black woman does matter. Though it is an embryonic tactic to create a racelessness Republican identity, it is still heavily embedded in race politics; or rather, keeping race in national political discourse

But let's face it, who we openly date is some very old shit. In mainstream dialogue, it is being erased with the relevance of the NAACP, the prescription pill addict known as Limbaugh, and me favorite little chicken nuggets.

Of course in moral, politically-correct discussions, an interracial relationship is far from damning. In fact, saying you have had an intimate relationship with a black person elevates your post-racial status on white people's liberal scales.

And since the movie, 'Something New', starring Sanaa Lathan, it seems that forward-thinking, assertive, career-oriented black women, have chosen white dime pieces as the accessory of choice. Of course that comes after every black radical male has fathered at least two biracial children since Civil Rights.

Today, it is okay to be gay, ask any black woman's best friend on a reality show. And certainly, it is cool to taste the rainbow, much like wearing a vibrant, chic little DKNY suit on Wall Street, it is the change we have become.

But this ain't moral politics, this is new world order. In order to play, you have to appear, well, "we-are-the-world-ish" with accents of suppression and highlights of sexism. But racism, oh noooo, not fashionable and not a good sell, just a whole bunch of videos going viral on Youtube.


We not post-racial. That ploy didn't work. We are more post-racecard.

For instance, when the Gabby Douglass hair incident came out, I heard so many white people in particular point out that they did not "see" Gabby's race nor her hair as she captured to gold medals in the London Olympics. And frankly, they were offended by the discussion of her blackness and nappyiness; especially when Negroes talked about it, we were framed as perpetuating the race problem.

But this new trend of being non-racial is the re-emergence of the colorblind scheme to cover up outright racism that has been popping up like opiate leaves in Afghanistan since the Obama election.

For decades, bedding a black woman was the rights of passage for white males, hence the interesting story of celebrated politician Strom Thurmond, the biggest racist who fathered a biracial child. If Ryan's girlfriend's color or that of his sister-in-law did not matter, he would have left that out of any discussion.

According to some reports, Ryan's admittance is said to have caused a hail storm in the Right Wing camp. I disagree. Those who have responded negatively are the ignorant minority that the Republican Party is weeding out and re-educating and re-politicizing with the notion that you gotta give a little something to get the power back.

A little chocolate wetting Ryan's tank is a good thing. It makes Ryan look more attractive, and creates a more progressive head of state for a future America that is currently being heavily criticized by the world for its backwardass politics.

Paul Ryan for President in 2016.

The Republican strategy is something like the known secret amongst blacks who warned other blacks to not be too radical, or too hard on Obama during the 2008 campaign. He had to appear non-threatening to white voters. Certainly, we were banned from pointing out that he really didn't have a traditional "black" experience because of his biracial heritage and middle-class, upbringing is what made him most appealing to voters.

Now Republicans are cultivating someone who defies the traditional right-wing image in pursuit of a 2016 president and a Republican dominance after the Obama reign for at least fie to six terms.

Ryan is just going through the motions as a (pseudo) Vice-President in the already failed, and cartoon feature that is called the Romney campaign. They are grooming him for president, and scouting out Chris Christie as the Veep, and maybe even the other way around. God help us all.

Ryan is establishing a vanguard political identity that will be the "new" face of a Republican Party that has been split between blatant racists and those who have been indifferent, and to some degree ambivalent. He becomes the unifying factor of being progressive, but still conservative enough to maintain, and perhaps grow the voting base of the party; especially young Republicans.

If Republicans want to crawl out of this self-dug hole, they have to dig deeper and edit its public representation in creative ways that keeps the crazies, but regulates them so they can continue to get the vote, yet present a more progressive public image.

Bill Maher naively said that rednecks and old racist foggies will simply die off. And though they do, there are certainly many more who are happy to replace cogs in a wheel.

But this is where politics gets very interesting. Many people like to point out the individual and not look at the system that produced this person, and provided an environment for them to thrive.

It is so easy to crucify the individual, so the Republican thinkers are using this perspective in developing Paul Ryan as the individual who is transcending current and past stereotypes of the Republican boogeyman.   A more progressive, handsome malverick who is "color blind" and comes from an inclusive, yet conservative family.

Yes, bring him home to Jesus. Ryan has made it to the promise land of . . . dare I say it, a post-racial Republican.

Flying Squirrels and Jumping Monkeys at the London Olympics

There isn't anything remotely close to London Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas, being a squirrel---be it flying, scurrying or smashed like roadkill.

Gabby is the quintessential American hero who has risen like a graceful Phoenix---dark skin, thick lips, broad nose, coily hair and all.

Gabby is not a mascot that you pat in sympathy with white patronizing sentiments like a Pickanini slave child dancing for watermelon seeds.

Her father is serving in the military with an overseas deployment, while her mother pooled all of her resources so that she and Gabby's siblings could be there to support. They may be cooking dinners on hotplates at the hotel, but they are there by hook or crook.

That is the black family template I know. We make do when the can't do is staring us down in the face.

So let me give this PSA to the world. The name, 'The Flying Squirrel' is not cute nor is it endearing.

And though I am sure Gabby laughs at this 'nickname', and wears it proud, I am quite disgusted. And I know I am not alone. As a result, I will take the role as her elder, and defend her, even if she isn't quite clear how historically demeaning and racialized it is to be reduced to a furry, disease-infested, buck-toothed critter.

Gabby's story is nothing short of phenomenal. 

She was thought to not have "what it took to be an Olympian" because 'experts' believed she "lacked confidence and focus". Commentators emphasized these 'doubts' with implications that she had fell short on maturity, competition experience and an understanding of what it took to be a victor.

It seemed as if her only skill was to smile like a 20th century Amos N' Andy caricature. But we who have been there knows that Gabby, whether consciously or not, understands the true meaning of "grin and bear it" or to smile, even when they are the meanest.

Juxtaposed against Gabby was her teammate Jordan Wieber, who was touted consistently as America's real "darling". Unlike Douglas, Wieber was framed as effortless and destined to win. But when she failed, the commentators showered reports with endless, acceptable excuses as to why and how she wasn't performing up to par.

I almost spit out my smoothie when a news report said, "the world watched in shock as Wieber shed heart-wrenching tears—she wouldn't be competing in the all-around competition." NOT. I wasn't stunting Jordan Wieber, and I question what world that, that reporter belongs to---perhaps white Suburbia that orbits around asinine.

But the one-sided outrage of the individual finals being Wieber-less went as far as an NBC gymnastic commentator stating later that he thought Olympic officials should reassess the rules of how many people can qualify. I have seen this strategy repeated when certain people lose at a game of which they created the rules---they simply change them when they are no longer the game-changers.

And although Gabby scored highest during the team finals, it was projected that Wieber's leadership and emotionally evolved, selflessness is what actually got the job done for the win.

Even up until the final event leading to Gabby's individual gold, while the world was cheering, the privileged and supremacist eye kept disbelieving. When Gabby won, it was so antithetical for the biased commentators who were edging for any white girl to win by the end, that folks took to twitter and Facebook to celebrate what wasn't being acknowledged on air.

So uncomfortable with Gabby's domination and being the current face that represents the United States as a champion,  those who have absorbed the ideologies of privilege and supremacy threw jabs like the alleged "ill-timed' monkey commercial following the ceremony.

It is as if  Gabby is like Obama in 2008.The results are in, and they will never admit, that they were all dead ass wrong, upstaged by and underdog and still soak in their racism.

Why Mainstream America Refuses to Celebrate the Williams Sisters

Serena Williams' fifth win at the Wimbledon in early July marked her fourteenth major professional tennis title, something that about seven women have done in the history of professional tennis with three being American.

And she did it as a raw vegan, a lifestyle she embraced to support her sister who is also a raw vegan due to the recent diagnosis with an auto-immune disease.

Nonetheless, Serena's spectacular performance and a significant accomplishment that should have America boasting, barely scratched national news.

Nor was there really any interest in the Wimbledon doubles match that Serena and her sister Venus dominated and were victorious. Once the women's doubles were over, it was back to the exciting coverage of Roger Federer and Andy Murray, the match between a Swiss and Brit. American tennis experts gushed over the two men as if their own did nothing but take a shit that day.

Though the Williams sisters have single-handedly revived tennis' popularity, it seems as if mainstream America, hence, white America, is kind of waiting for them, and their booties, and 18 inch Brazilian human hair extensions, their mama's blonde Afro and their daddy who gives shout outs to those drinking 40 ounces and smoking Kush in the heart of Compton to just go away.

Venus Williams

At first I would assert that mainstream America was furious that two black women took over the face of American tennis, and totally shifted the complexion of its audience worldwide.

When Venus came onto the scene she was undeniably black. A dark brown skinned sister with that classic look that any black mama gave her girl child at least once in her pubescent life---cornrows with about 5 million beads shimmying in the sunlight.

It is the hairstyle that Bo Derek tried to imitate and was called drop dead beautiful, yet Venus got silent disapproval for her ethnic un-appeal.

And as I cringed when I saw the years of braiding had taken out her edges like former Essence Magazine CEO Susan Taylor, I still applauded her vivid imagery of blackness.

As a former athlete in a non-traditional sport for black folk (swimming), I know the challenges of being the only black or one of the few. I know the issues of femininity and the difficulty of trying to be "black" in a "white" sport; especially when you have a mother that did not allow you to shave. But that's another therapy session.

Serena Williams

I remember the day a little white girl called me a "nigger" when I won the 50 meter butterfly. That shit hurt.

I can't even imagine getting the consistent boos that Venus then Serena would get over damn near a decade.

Then there are the camera shots when Serena bends over. Or the pre-game coverage in which announcers would drool over blonde competitors and their beauty and delicate fierceness. The complaints and attempts at regulating the ladies' war grunts. The silent spectacle around Venus and Serenas muscles, hair, skin, and did I say ass?

Throughout it all, we have seen these women blossom into something more dangerous, more courageous than players who were expected to just be affirmative action kickstands that should've been gracious to be allowed a couple of endorsements.

These sisters, by blood and by cultural kinship, evolved into unstoppable champions who don't need the approval of a flag, a fan, or a country.

Never, never, never in the history of the sport of tennis, women or men, has there been siblings to dominate, and just take over the sport for more than a decade. And what do they get, silence and meager coverage as a form of protest of their presence.

But occasionally, the fearlessness you witness on the court rises like the waves of heat off of the AstroTurf in the Australian Open. The Williams' spit back their own protest with flamboyant outfits that accentuate their African curves and brown skin in the most European of tournaments.

Sorry Louis Gates Jr., their phenotypes are not the kind that dominate your gene pool as you proudly announce. Dem sisters right dere are to the bone African. And will shove a ball down your fucking throat if you say otherwise.

Now I understand why mainstream America (and for that matter England and France) refuse to celebrate or acknowledge Serena or Venus. Their presence is a painful reminder of the ignorance, racism and impotence of white supremacy and white privilege that many attempt to hide.

Oh and of course they are hating on the booty.

Please keep your eyes on the prize. (Side thought, what's up with the devil horn fingers?)

Local Festivities: Odunde Festival in Philly

If there was ever a time black people needed to be blessed by the spirits for prosperity, good health and a great year it is now.

I love, love, love the Odunde festivals' morning ritual of offering sweet things to the Orisa or Goddess Osun for a prosperous year full of good loving, good fortune and a happy home.

Covering 12 city blocks, it is one of the largest African-American street festivals in the country. The food, vibe and entertainment is spectacular.

Odunde means "Happy New Year" in Yoruba. Activities begin on Friday, June 10 and goes until June 12. The offering is on Sunday morning at the Schuylkill River.

And by far, the vending varieties of various African and African-American artifacts, food, and clothes/jewelry teem in diversity.

For more information visit odunde.org

July 4th Alternatives

Photo: Great Serpent Mound

Near Peebles, OH (Southwest Ohio).

Every year I think of the hypocrisies of US Independence Day when it applies to African-Americans and First Nation Peoples (Native Americans). I know, I know, people moan and groan about the history, but ‘tis true, our ancestors were enslaved, and many indigenous nations had either been massacred or displaced as former British subjects celebrated freedom.

Photo: African Burial Memorial New York City

I always think of doing something different on that day, be it big or small. Personally, fireworks stopped thrilling me a long time ago, and in this economy, there are cities that are asking to be funded. I know the traditional barbecue, is a perfect family outing, but why don’t you throw a traditional dish in there that reminds you where you came from and where we came from. Why don’t we be the change that we need, instead of relying on it being dictated to us.

Here are just some of my ideas.

1. Morning prayers that recognize your ancestral lineage.
2. Visiting a Native American site.
3. Visiting a family member’s site.
4. Play some of your folks favorite songs, such as gospel, blues, African, soul.
5. Fasting half of the day.
6. Invite all your folk to your house, even the ones you can’t stand to have a day of fun and love.
7. Replace pork ribs with a healthier alternative.
8. Eat all organic foods for the barbecue.
9. Get all your ingredients from a local farmer’s market.
10. Donate to a worthy cause.
11. Read the history of the American Indian Movement
12. Brush up on the Manifesto for the Independence of Native Americans

13. Write a letter to universities and NFL teams that still use Native American images as their mascots and demand that they stop the dehumanizing practice.
14. Strike a pleasant conversation with someone you do not know.
15. Dance like there is no tomorrow.
16. Attend the Maafa Celebration in New Orleans hosted by the Ashe Cultural Center in Armstrong Park's Congo Square in New Orleans.