Amazing is the state of SA media and manner in which black leaders are made to come across with specific reference to the passing of the last president of the Black Peoples Convention (BPC) Hlaku Rachidi in comparison with that of oppressive era police minister Adriaan Vlok.
The mere fact of Rachidi’s passing in October was difficult to get attention and to merit being a story.
Having personally provided all information about Rachidi, the person who together with Tom Manthata buried Steve Biko against all odds on September 25, 1977, just the fact of Rachidi’s passing still did not find its way into media space as a breaking story nor was coverage of his funeral even after speaking not only to several journalists but also to a political editor of the public broadcaster.
One evening at 10, on the eve of Rachidi's burial, the SABC did its share, thankfully, after Tsepiso Makwetla saw merit in what Rachidi meant to this country at the worst of time.
Now Adriaan Vlok dies. The fact of his passing has not missed its way to being a prominent breaking story throughout the news channels. Coverage has been spontaneous, natural and repeated.
I can bet that Vlok’s burial has already booked space, like that of Pik Botha, in many a newsroom diary for coverage.
Is there an explanation for this black community’s self-disrespect? I expect the answer from black journalists.
Something is amiss to figure out why this is so with Vlok and not with Rachidi.
Rachidi was a liberator, Vlok was the oppressor.
The troubling impression I am left with is that it is easier for media to remember an oppressor and easier to forget a liberator. Is this troubling impression correct? Someone help me to digest this for sense of what may or may not be happening.
What is going on is a question that Marvin Gaye had to grapple with at moments like this, looking for an answer(s).
Oupa Ngwenya, email
READER LETTER | Media bias evident in death of Vlok
Image: Alon Skuy
Amazing is the state of SA media and manner in which black leaders are made to come across with specific reference to the passing of the last president of the Black Peoples Convention (BPC) Hlaku Rachidi in comparison with that of oppressive era police minister Adriaan Vlok.
The mere fact of Rachidi’s passing in October was difficult to get attention and to merit being a story.
Having personally provided all information about Rachidi, the person who together with Tom Manthata buried Steve Biko against all odds on September 25, 1977, just the fact of Rachidi’s passing still did not find its way into media space as a breaking story nor was coverage of his funeral even after speaking not only to several journalists but also to a political editor of the public broadcaster.
One evening at 10, on the eve of Rachidi's burial, the SABC did its share, thankfully, after Tsepiso Makwetla saw merit in what Rachidi meant to this country at the worst of time.
Now Adriaan Vlok dies. The fact of his passing has not missed its way to being a prominent breaking story throughout the news channels. Coverage has been spontaneous, natural and repeated.
I can bet that Vlok’s burial has already booked space, like that of Pik Botha, in many a newsroom diary for coverage.
Is there an explanation for this black community’s self-disrespect? I expect the answer from black journalists.
Something is amiss to figure out why this is so with Vlok and not with Rachidi.
Rachidi was a liberator, Vlok was the oppressor.
The troubling impression I am left with is that it is easier for media to remember an oppressor and easier to forget a liberator. Is this troubling impression correct? Someone help me to digest this for sense of what may or may not be happening.
What is going on is a question that Marvin Gaye had to grapple with at moments like this, looking for an answer(s).
Oupa Ngwenya, email
Apartheid-era minister Adriaan Vlok has died
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Related articles
Latest Videos