The issue is quite simple and it is whether we will allow this hijacking to continue.
The issue is quite simple and it is whether we will allow this hijacking to continue.
Should we tolerate foreign colonial cultures and ideologies in the name of cultural and ideological evolution?
Is it inevitable that these foreign cultures and ideologies should coexist with and cross-pollinate our own cultural and ideological norms and values on which our constitution is premised? Or should there be an open battle between the two until one totally destroys and annihilates the other?
I say it should be the latter route that we must choose and if we are to compromise at all then the bare minimum must be that our own cultural values must be the dominant ones.
It will not be easy to make sure that this battle is won. As in all struggles, some of us might be sacrificed along the way. Some of us might not live long enough to see which side will win. But I am more convinced than ever that we must reclaim this ideological space.
We owe it to the people who died for our freedom, the people who fought in colonial wars since 1652. We owe it to the people who paid the supreme price and other sacrifices for this freedom.
We owe it to our heroes, Shaka, Sekhukhune, Makhado, Ngungunyana, Hintsa, Sobukwe, Steve Biko, Neill Agget, Victoria Mxenge, and thousands of other gallant sons and daughters of our land who fought against domination of any type.
They surely did not make their sacrifices so that we would sell our souls for a salary. Generations to come will rightfully condemn us if we do not take up this fight here and now.
This does not mean that we or our cultures are perfect. It does not mean that we are beyond criticism. It certainly does not mean that we must not correct each other when we make mistakes. It also cannot mean that we must be weak leaders and not take tough action against each other whenever it is warranted.
On the contrary, now is the time for resilient, decisive and tough leadership.
But we cannot do these things to the tune of and under the guidance of the enemies of our people and of our freedom. That I am afraid is not going to happen.
We cannot be lectured by among others, black-haters and self-haters, on how to behave like decent "house niggers".
Let me state plainly and clearly that I for one, Daluxolo Mpofu, not only as chief executive of the SABC, but as a person, as a son of amaHlubi, as the only son of my semi-literate mother, am dedicating the rest of my life to this fight; to the restoration of our human dignity.
You can choose to keep quiet or you may join us as in our new pay-off line, slogan or war cry "Vuka South Africa! Vuka Sizwe!"
l Find the full, unedited version of this speech and Njabulo Ndebele's speech published yesterday on www.sowetan.co.za
Clarion call to fight for African vision
The issue is quite simple and it is whether we will allow this hijacking to continue.
The issue is quite simple and it is whether we will allow this hijacking to continue.
Should we tolerate foreign colonial cultures and ideologies in the name of cultural and ideological evolution?
Is it inevitable that these foreign cultures and ideologies should coexist with and cross-pollinate our own cultural and ideological norms and values on which our constitution is premised? Or should there be an open battle between the two until one totally destroys and annihilates the other?
I say it should be the latter route that we must choose and if we are to compromise at all then the bare minimum must be that our own cultural values must be the dominant ones.
It will not be easy to make sure that this battle is won. As in all struggles, some of us might be sacrificed along the way. Some of us might not live long enough to see which side will win. But I am more convinced than ever that we must reclaim this ideological space.
We owe it to the people who died for our freedom, the people who fought in colonial wars since 1652. We owe it to the people who paid the supreme price and other sacrifices for this freedom.
We owe it to our heroes, Shaka, Sekhukhune, Makhado, Ngungunyana, Hintsa, Sobukwe, Steve Biko, Neill Agget, Victoria Mxenge, and thousands of other gallant sons and daughters of our land who fought against domination of any type.
They surely did not make their sacrifices so that we would sell our souls for a salary. Generations to come will rightfully condemn us if we do not take up this fight here and now.
This does not mean that we or our cultures are perfect. It does not mean that we are beyond criticism. It certainly does not mean that we must not correct each other when we make mistakes. It also cannot mean that we must be weak leaders and not take tough action against each other whenever it is warranted.
On the contrary, now is the time for resilient, decisive and tough leadership.
But we cannot do these things to the tune of and under the guidance of the enemies of our people and of our freedom. That I am afraid is not going to happen.
We cannot be lectured by among others, black-haters and self-haters, on how to behave like decent "house niggers".
Let me state plainly and clearly that I for one, Daluxolo Mpofu, not only as chief executive of the SABC, but as a person, as a son of amaHlubi, as the only son of my semi-literate mother, am dedicating the rest of my life to this fight; to the restoration of our human dignity.
You can choose to keep quiet or you may join us as in our new pay-off line, slogan or war cry "Vuka South Africa! Vuka Sizwe!"
l Find the full, unedited version of this speech and Njabulo Ndebele's speech published yesterday on www.sowetan.co.za
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