*The “Non – White” Vote*
In a paper produced for a SASO leadership training course in December 1971, Steve Biko presents a definition of black consciousness and what it means to be black. In his presentation, he emphasizes that “being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.” (Biko, 1971) He furthermore makes a distinction between ‘blacks’ and ‘non – whites’ arguing that if one aspires to being ‘white’ espousing ‘white’ values, principles, mannerisms and attitudes then that person is a ‘non – white’. This could not be further from the truth in present day society. In fact, had he been alive today, Biko would have certainly emphasized his striking point that ‘non – whites’ do exist and will continue to exist for quite along time to come. Like the ‘non – whites’ of yesteryear, the ‘non – whites’ of today feel no association to the ANC and its alliance partners. Recent claims that voting patterns amongst ‘black’ households are changing with the younger ‘black’ generation choosing alternatives to the ANC led Alliance, if there even exists such, is not exactly true, or may be contested if we follow Biko’s conceptions of ‘black’ and ‘non – white’. Yes, ‘Black’ households are becoming more critical of the ANC led Alliance but to suggest that this is translating into the ballot is dubious. What could be mistaken for shifting patterns in the ‘Black’ vote may actually be misconstrued for ‘non – whites’ or a post 1994 breed of ‘non – whites’ now having the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote. A democratic right that was fought for and achieved by the very ANC led Alliance they detest. So the voting patterns may not be necessarily be new or unique or shifting, it may just be a new breed of ‘non – whites’ voting against the ANC led Alliance as their predecessors did prior to 1994, well without the ballot back then. So you see, not much has changed. However, trying to understand why being black is a reflection of a mental attitude in the current conjuncture may lead us to class - based motivations rather then racial underpinnings. By this we mean that perhaps as the General Secretary of the SACP, Cde. Blade Nzimande pointed out in Parliament that ‘one can never understand where the word ‘darkie’ comes from unless you grew up in the township’. Or perhaps aspiring to be ‘white’ is associated with real wealth or control of the wealth and resources of the country since the majority of our economy is controlled by white monopoly capital. Perhaps aspiring to ‘whiteness’ means aspiring to be the ‘real rulers’ knowing that those who control the wealth are the real controllers of the State – white monopoly capital. The claim that many ‘Blacks’, ‘Indians’ and ‘Coloureds’ are finding an alternative home in parties like the DA must be refuted. The truth is that the DA has become a home for ‘whites’ and ‘non – whites’ not for ‘Blacks’, ‘Indians’ and ‘Coloureds’ or progressive white democrats for that matter who continue to find a home in the alliance. Let’s take the ‘Coloured’ population in the Western Cape where the DA claims to have delivered. The majority of the ‘Coloured’ population in the Western Cape which remains predominantly poor and working class, have not benefitted at all. Communities continue to be ravaged by alcohol and substance abuse, deepening poverty and rising inequalities. In fact, some academics argue that Cape Town is one of the most unequal cities in the world. So who have benefitted from all that growth and prosperity that we’ve been hearing so much about? The white madam and a few ‘non – whites’ of course. Falling prey to the propaganda of blaming the ANC for every problem in society will blind us from the inevitable truth. Let’s take unemployment for example, almost every academic agrees that unemployment in South Africa was a problem since the 1970’s before the ANC came into power. The problems that we face are not new or unique to the ANC led government. What we should be doing is playing more of an active part in shaping the growth and prosperity of our communities. This of course starts by going out to the ballot boxes and voting, exercising that hard earned democratic right to vote. During an interview in 1968, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo, former Chairperson of the South Communist Party, is confronted by a question on whether Indian people in South Africa as a minority group would be no better off under African rule then they are under white rule. Dr. Dadoo responds, “It is the argument of agent provocateurs in our midst who deliberately try to provoke hostility between African and Indian, African and Coloured, to convince each other that their grievances are not the fault of the oppressors, but of another oppressed group. It must be understood that the fundamental of the liberation struggle is first and foremost the liberation of the African people, and that it is unthinkable that there could be liberation without African majority rule.” A South African “non – white” would never understand this. He or she could never understand this. Why? Because it means that the white madam is not necessarily always right, It means the white madam is not necessarily all – knowing, It means the white madam is not always first in line, It means that it is not only possible, but very much probable that a black democracy can succeed and deliver a better life for all! I’m sure Dr. Dadoo would have been quite critical about the present day ANC led government but like myself, I’m sure he would have voted it back into power with the understanding that much more needs to be done and the issues of the poor must be elevated to the top of the priority list. Why such faith in the ANC led alliance you ask? Yes there may be challenges in the ruling party, but we have more opportunities now then our mothers and fathers had prior to 1994. Whether we take those opportunities or not is a matter for another discussion. Bottom line, I'd rather vote for the political party that brought me freedom and sacrificed so much during the tough times then the one that wants to benefit only when times are good. Why? Because I’m black! Yershen Pillay YCLSA National Chairperson -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. 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