Earning my black stripes

I was recently asked a question by an ITWeb reader, which deserves an answer.

Following an article I wrote on the communications minister's splurge on two luxury vehicles, the reader, who called herself Tsholofelo, asked at the end of her lengthy response to my story: “Audra Mahlong, if I were you, I would ask myself why am I a black journalist working for ITWeb and always looking to point out the negatives of black govt and its politicians? Was this the motive for your appointment?”

To answer the easiest question first. The motive for my appointment at ITWeb was not so sinister. They needed a journalist and that is what I am.

The first part of the question brings me to a much bigger issue. Once again, the lines have been drawn in either black or white chalk and I am being told to choose sides based on my skin colour. Then once I've picked my side, I'm supposed to blindly stick by whatever decisions and actions are made and disregard what I see and think.

The problem with the minister's purchase is that it is a waste and extravagance, and not an issue of colour. Let's forget the great economic crisis - even if the world was rolling in wealth, Siphiwe Nyanda's choices are not excusable. And even if the pockets of every person in this country were overflowing with money, my view on his purchases wouldn't change. Extravagance in the public service is simply unacceptable.

Tsholofelo, you think I should just let the fact go that the minister bought himself two BMW 750is. You think it should be ignored that he included the extras he did. To you, rear-seat entertainment is an important feature in an official's car. Now, I don't expect the minister to always be nose deep in his important and confidential papers (because his department never shares the information), but I'm sure he can entertain himself at home on a sofa, like the rest of us.

Sun protection glazing I can try to understand. The last thing we want is the minister to catch unwanted sunrays. But I do think that, at R6 200, which is roughly R1 000 per window, he could have done without it. But we wouldn't want him to become too dark - because then you might just decide that he is no longer a comrade, since skin colour is so important to you.

I don't understand why there needs to be ambient interior lighting. What does the minister need to do in the car? And why does he need special wheel designs valued at R3 000 - what's wrong with the normal design? I can reach my own conclusion about why he would need a rear-view camera, but I'm inclined to think that the competent driver, trained security staff and clean mirrors, which he already has, would suffice.

Yours is a tired argument, by people who think bad decisions and failure should be sheltered, because criticism destroys. Blind loyalty is what destroys. The reality is that Nyanda has his work cut out for him, and so far, I have seen and heard very little from him. And there is no excuse for that. Take Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for instance - I know exactly what she aims to do and how, and even if I'm not completely convinced by her promises, at least I know what she's doing.

Tsholofelo, from your response I can tell that you didn't really pick up that you and I have quite a bit in common. You admit that there was a mistake that was made, even if you do call it “little”. You point out that there are negatives, a sign that we are already on the same side. We both believe in openness, inclusiveness and transparency and freedom of speech. We both have contempt for apartheid and have respect for the liberation struggle and recognise its great contribution.

Once again, the lines have been drawn in either black or white chalk and I am being told to choose sides based on my skin colour.

Audra Mahlong, journalist

But then you kick me off your team. You think freedom of expression should be curbed when it comes to my opinion, because you think it's ignorant. You think my voice should be limited, because you say it's only that of a “small fish”. To you, platforms should only be given to those whose opinions overflow with positive vibrations.

I was once told I wasn't black enough because I didn't speak loudly enough - because, as we know, all black people are the same and we're all loud. My response to this person was to speak even softer. If my being black meant I would be grouped in the same ignorant group of people that identified with such rubbish notions - I wanted no part of it.

While Tsholofelo accused me of not being black enough, another reader, Francois, accused me of being too black. In a response to an article we published on the Gauteng Shared Services Centre (GSSC), Francios noted I should do more responsible reporting and report facts, and asked me if I really expected the GSSC to say anything other than that their projects were a success. But he ended his comment with this gem: “But you are black anyway, inclined to believe everything that comes out of the ANC propaganda machine.”

I hope Francois has had a chance to read my articles on the minister's spending. He would be so proud. I would be a reformed black person. Revolting against the ANC propaganda machine, standing up against the system and finding my own feet - because we all know how difficult it is for a black person to be an individual and not travel in mobs, like we all do.

I think Francois and Tsholofelo should meet, united in their scorn and disappointment of this failed black journalist. They can talk about how I have failed my comrades, tainted the struggle and spat on the graves of my ancestors with what is either my blind loyalty towards the ANC or my complete disregard for the current black government. They can decide between themselves, which one is most true, it makes no difference to me.

What Francois and Tsholofelo fail to see is that there is a lot wrong with government, and that my speaking up or letting other people speak is not part of the problem. Waste is waste. Extravagance is extravagance. These things know no colour and, maybe once Francois and Tsholofelo recognise this, we can all unite under the red banner of ITWeb.