GNU spells end of the road for nationalism in South Africa as new political landscape emerges

Some extremely fresh and valid points, thank you. But as far as investment is concerned, the WASP and Black middle classes are all too aware of the value of investment, and interest rates, and stock and shares and so on. They (including myself, a classic liberal-progressive WASP) want a strong economy. Because, simply, their entire lives are directed towards safe comfortable and sustainable retirement which means, basically, a good investment environment. Another point, as regards the toxic nationalisms that we've endured for a century (from Smuts's rival Hertzog, through to Afro-nationalism in the ANC) - it may not sound PC to make this point - but it's about education and an awareness of our long historical global connections. We are members of BRICS but it's far from our lingua franca and traditions. The liberal or quasi-liberal West is our anchor in the world of investment, and the history of anti-slavery and the history of the Anti-Apartheid movement, and much more. This requires a fair grasp on history (stripped of resentments) and of geography (competent all-round humanist education dare I say - not just technical training). I suppose this sounds old-school but foundational things do not go away.

Cannot understand the authors rationale when he refers to blacks & whites as if they are equally represented in our population demographics. Black dominating South African politics is not black nationalish but is the outcome of the principles of majority rules.

I hope that the GNU holds. If anything the Springboks have proven what is possible in South Africa when we forget the dividing racial BS and actually work together under competent leadership. I also hope that any official who DARES to steal from the poor is brought to swift and excruciating justice. We need to immediately stop the corruption and bring those who have looted the coffers to book, and make them pay the money back! That money needs to be spent where it is needed... to grow the economy at double figures year on year to create jobs and to alleviate the plight of the poor.

The writer conveniently forgets that the poor will never get anywhere if - as he says - they are to rely on the mining industry if that useless but dangerous idiot Mantashe isn't booted out. What has he got on Cyril that keeps him there?

"Thirty years later, African nationalists’ rule was rejected by the electorate and they could only stay in power with the support of the Wasp (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) middle class of the DA." Poorly researched. It is now established fact, but still refuted by dinosaurs such as Moletsi Mbeki, that there are many many, maybe even the majority, of non WASP DA members and voters. The furthest he should have gone is to say that the white leadership of the DA is over represented relative to their membership

The author’s rationale is poorly researched! The DA is not elected with just white voters!!! The Indian, colored & a few long sighted blacks also believe that they are the best party to get SA back on track & right the wrongs of the African nationalists over the last 30 years & to never go back to pre 1994. That is blatant when considering the race demographics of SA! We are 30 years in , so time to stop the racial cry wolf lines & unite SA as a country. All for one & one for all no mater color, race or religion

Not a well thought-through article in my honest opinion. A very simplified description of the last 100 years here in the South.

yes except the lack of State investment isn't because of a bloated civil service. The Cabinet yes, but not the professional class of civil service managers which is very thin and gone in many areas. The lack of State investment is because of austerity, and will result in growing nationalism and xenophobia as it further deprives the poor.

1924… 1994… 2024… interesting

Thank you Mr. Mbeki for your well written article and for sharing information with us. There is a move by the United Nations towards safeguarding the interests of future generations. In its decision 77/568, the General Assembly is committed to adopting a Declaration on Future Generations, which would, if intergovernmentally agreed to, be annexed to form one of the outcomes of the Summit of the future to be held on 22nd and 23rd of September 2024 in New York. We, as South Africans, need to embrace the future of sustainable development together with its three aspects of social, economic and environmental wellbeing. We need to treat one another with respect and strive not only for our freedom but for the dignity of others. Therefore, let us love one another, for God is love (1John4:16). The narrative of black and white people should be frowned on and dismissed as inconsequential. The freedom Charter is clear: "The people shall govern." Who are the people?

It seems to me that nationalism is resurgent everywhere. Nationalism tells us about a golden past (that it didn't exist is no matter to them) and promises that we can have that again. Of the explicitly nationalist parties in SA, only MK got a significant chunk of the vote, but PA increased theirs. So here, as everywhere else, nationalism is on the rise. Why might that be? How about the 80s promises of trickle down captitalism making everybody better off didn't materialise? Communism collapsed decades ago. Capitalism has lost it's sheen. People are looking for something else, and a bold figure (even one who lies non-stop) promising to wave a magic wand and rewind to some mythical past becomes attractive to people who end up a little poorer each year no matter who is in power.

Mbeki falsely characterises the 'middle class' of the DA as WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). The Social Research Foundation has found that DA voters are 1/3 black, 1/3 coloured, and 1/3 white. Most of the DA's voters on the Cape Flats (e.g. Manenberg, Hanover Park, Lavender Hill) are not middle class.

Very broadly, I agree with the author's analysis that all support for Nationalisms is driven by grievances, but it is also driven by racism. You cannot divorce any version of Nationalism from its foundation on racial identity. I cannot agree with the historical analysis the author gives at the start, but I agree with the broad argument of the grievance and fear driven nature of identity politics up to now. If the author is correct in his view that the election results support the conclusion that we have now passed that stage, the the GNU should auger reasonably better than previous governments. But I'm afraid that the marriage of the middle classes may be more by accident than by intent. That means that in order to hold it together is going to take extraordinary tolerance, patience, and flexibility from all parties. We can only hope that everyone leaves their ideological baggage and personal agendas outside the door and start being pragmatic about growth and good government. Most importantly, leave no-one behind!

He takes a very simplistic view on his rather truncated history of South Africa over the last 100 years, and conveniently forgets to omit any reference to infrastructure which has been put in place, such as railways, electricity water treatment and supply etc, which has all but totally collapsed as a result of total neglect under anc rule. The only thing he said, which is true, is when the NP came to power in 1948, they replaced the predominantly English speaking civil service to Afrikaans speakers, but at least that did not lead to a collapse of services. In 1994, when the anc gained power, they replaced all the white civil service, with people of their choice. The result is self evident. I just hope the GNU will be able to pick up all the pieces and repair it. The question is, where will they start?

He takes a very simplistic view on his rather truncated history of South Africa over the last 100 years, and conveniently forgets to omit any reference to infrastructure which has been put in place, such as railways, electricity water treatment and supply etc, which has all but totally collapsed as a result of total neglect under anc rule. The only thing he said, which is true, is when the NP came to power in 1948, they replaced the predominantly English speaking civil service to Afrikaans speakers, but at least that did not lead to a collapse of services. In 1994, when the anc gained power, they replaced all the white civil service, with people of their choice. The result is self evident. I just hope the GNU will be able to pick up all the pieces and repair it. The question is, where will they start?

I find it amazing that the DA is still described as the WASP, (white Anglo Saxon protestant), party - simple arithmetic shows that a 7% white population,of which at least 2% I would assume voted for the VF+ and other parties, does not come close to being a majority of the 21% of the nation that voted for the DA. At least 3/4's of the DA votes came from non-whites. Its time this false cliche stopped being repeated, specially by the supposedly educated, that should know better.

You cannot even begin to compare Afrikaner nationalism with ANC nationalism. The Nats had their negative side but material achievements were colossal; dams, roads, ports, Eskom, municipalities, universities, railways, schools, one could go on and on. But the ANC? They have built absolutely nothing other than demand for Johnny Walker Blue and their own conspicuous consumption; their contempt for even their own people is sinful.

I have huge respect for Moeletsi Mbeki. He is a real thinker and I love hearing his views. However, a bit disappointed that whilst he staes "The real new politics for South Africa will be the merger between capital and the poor.", he doesn't elaborate on the how?? Come on Moeletsi, more detail please??

Moeletsi Mbeki, effectively, points out that the South African problem was a class struggle and remains a class struggle.

The GNU is great. It will work like the multi-party coalition that currently runs Johannesburg. The great thing about that coalition is that nothing is anybody's fault. Everybody can point a finger at somebody else. Example: A new import tariff of 10% on solar panels has just been announced. If you're an EFF supporter (or a supporter of any party outside of the GNU) then you can that's what you get for voting ANC/DA/VF+/PA. If you support the ANC then you can that this is what happens when we vote DA. If you are a DA supporter then you can object that despite your party's well known rigour, great skills and track record, this tariff was still applied. It's nobody's fault. Nobody has to take responsibility. But we all suffer just the same. Don't you see the beauty of such an arrangement?

Of 62 million Safricans, 81 out of 100 are black and 7 out of 100 are white. From IEC vote DA got 22% [what you call WASPS] - so stretching 7 [and near 2 of those voted FF+] means votes come from somewhere else. Put your racism in your pocket and look at SA demographics and how IEC vote went and try again

It is sad that elites like Moeletsi Mbeki, who probably resides in top suburbs and spends time with the educated and affluent class, are really not in touch with the reality of this country. They only portray their experiences as they interact with the affluent. The idea that South Africa’s middle classes are no longer divided along racial lines is far-fetched. The majority of the black middle class voted for any party just to spite the ANC, hoping it will self-correct. The black middle class is experiencing systematic racism on a daily basis, and the poor class is experiencing racism in their workplaces. The only reality is the possibility of a pro-black party emerging as the governing party.