Nethathe, Mushe. (18Jan05) "Letter from Limpopo, South Africa." Sowetan, p. 10.

OVERVIEW

The following is a remarkable letter vulnerably admitting attitudes many of would deny. But they keep us from the unity we say we desire. It was written as a letter to the Editor to challenge all our mind-sets.

Wednesday was back-to-school day and I was excited to take my son to start Grade R at SoutiesPrimary School, a traditionally white school in Makhado, Limpopo.

We were ushered into a hall where pupils were sorted out according to grades. The absence of white faces among these pupils was frightening, said one parent, who sounded disappointed.

I thought maybe he still believes his children are better off rubbing shoulders with little whites. But later, when I asked one of the teachers what had happened to all the white kids, I was told many of their parents have decided to take them to Afrikaans schools.

At first I thought, “These people are sick, how can they do this 10 years into our democracy?”

But then I wondered what I would do if the majority of pupils at the school were Tsonga. Would I send my child here? The answer was no.

When we grew up as Vendas, we were made to believe that Shangaans (Tsongas) were bad. Everything bad became synonymous with them. Later, I was shocked to find that Shangaans had similar ideas about Vendas. Surely this is tribalism. In the Limpopo legislature not one MEC is Venda, save Thuba Mufamadi. Does this not smack of tribalism?

One can hardly blame white people for taking their kids out of a mixed race school when blacks feel so bad about one another.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1.   This letter is plain and simple but deals with deep issues. The paper gave this letter the title, “Tribalism Is Everywhere.” 
        With what kind of children would you rather not have your own mix day by day?

2.   Are there people you would rather not see in your church, synagogue or temple? Are there parties you would just as soon
not attend because of the kind of partiers attending?

3.   How can we preserve our own identities and our own group loyalties without betraying our responsibility to all kinds of neighbors and a commitment to a unified society?

IMPLICATIONS

1.   Racial and class, ethnic and religious differences are a major cause of friction in many societies throughout the world.

2.   One major goal of education should be helping children to understand and get along with others who are different.

3.   In our struggles against racism and other divides, it is helpful to learn from other societies.