Civil rights group AfriForum and its youth division, AfriForum Youth, today announced a joint campaign against the one-sided retelling of South Africa’s history for the attainment of political goals.
The decision to launch the campaign was made after AfriForum had received several complaints from the public over the past month regarding one-sided versions of South Africa’s history that are presented as the truth, particularly in connection with the ANC’s centenary.
A statement that ANC President Jacob Zuma made during his speech at the ANC’s 100th anniversary celebrations is a prime example of the one-sided retelling of history. Zuma praised the Cuban delegation who were present at the celebrations for Cuba’s role in the so-called victory at the “Battle of Cuito Cuanavale” during the Border War. “The truth is that there was never a Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, but major battles were fought at the Lomba River near Mavinga, where the Cuban forces and Fapla were driven out and defeated by the South African Defence Force and Unita. The Cubans/Fapla subsequently fled to Cuito Cuanavale, their original starting point. There was no victory. The President made up his own facts in order to score political points,” said Ernst Roets, Deputy Executive Director of AfriForum.
An accurate version of the history of the Border War has just been published in We were there, the English translation of Kraal-Uitgewers’ book Ons was daar. The book comprises several chapters written by members of the South African Army (SAA) who participated in the Border War and was compiled by former Chief of the SAA, Gen Jannie Geldenhuys. Copies of this book will be presented to the Presidency at the Union Buildings during the campaign.
AfriForum and AfriForum Youth will also address the following political misrepresentations, among others:
· The political misrepresentation that all white landowners stole their land.
· The political misrepresentation that everyone who supported the ANC during the struggle is irreproachable.
· The political misrepresentation that Afrikaners’ history is evil in all respects.
· The political misrepresentation that South Africa is not Afrikaner’s native land.
· The political misrepresentation that the various black tribes have always lived in South Africa.
The campaign will include the following actions:
· A social media campaign, combined with a march to the embassies of Cuba, Russia, Angola and Namibia and the Union Buildings to hand over copies of the book We were there and an actual account of events at Cuito Cuanavale. Former SAA members, respected artists and delegates of various organisations have already confirmed their participation in the march.
· The handing over of a memorandum on history with respect to land reform to the Department of Land Reform by AfriForum Youth, in cooperation with representatives of the Khoisan community.
· Collaboration with the United Nations and nongovernmental organisations.
· The issuing of reports on and summations of important events in South Africa’s history in collaboration with high-profile historians.
· The production of short documentaries on important historic events such as the events surrounding Cuito Cuanavale.
· Information sessions and discussion forums for students, where the factual correctness of the ANC’s retelling of history in relation to burning political questions will be debated.
· Wreath-laying ceremonies in memory of innocent victims of ANC terror attacks during the struggle.
Roets added that distorting history to accomplish political goals is one of the most dangerous activities that a government could busy itself with. “We should all be honest about our history. We must celebrate what is good and remember what is bad about it. Afrikaners have been doing this for the past two decades. It’s time the ANC did the same.”
