XOLA TYAMZASHE | Union of historical adversaries evokes a deep sense of shame, betrayal

As we navigate the complex tapestry of history and politics in SA, there are moments when the mind is drawn to hypothetical scenarios that challenge our sense of justice and historical memory.

One such scenario is the contemplation of a government where the Pan Africanist Congress of Robert Sobukwe, Zeph Mothopeng and other liberation stalwarts and Azanian martyrs stand shoulder to shoulder with the descendants and products of apartheid architects like Verwoerd, Vorster, Botha and Malan.

The mere conjuring of such an image evokes feelings of shame, embarrassment and a deep sense of betrayal. To envision those who fought relentlessly against the oppressive system of apartheid now sharing power and responsibility with those who upheld and benefited from that very system is a bitter pill to swallow. It is a stark reminder of the painful compromises and moral dilemmas that have characterised SA’s transition from apartheid to democracy.

How does one make sense of such a convergence of historical adversaries? How can we justify such a union, and more importantly, how can we reconcile it with the ideals and sacrifices of those who fought for freedom and justice?

In contemplating this unsettling scenario, one is reminded of the enduring complexities of post-colonial societies and the messy realities of political power. The legacy of apartheid continues to cast a long shadow over SA, shaping social relations, political dynamics and economic structures. The wounds of the past are still raw and the scars of injustice run deep.

For many, the idea of the PAC and apartheid descendants coexisting in a government of national unity is nothing short of sacrilege – a desecration of the memory and legacy of those who gave their lives in the struggle against oppression. It is a betrayal of the principles of justice that underpinned our struggle.

Some go to an extent of even arguing that such a union, as uncomfortable and unimaginable as it is, could serve the greater good of the nation.

Pointing to the imperatives of reconciliation, stability and nation-building as reasons to embrace such a controversial arrangement. They even argue that the masses stand to benefit from this government that represents a broad spectrum of interests and perspectives, however conflicting and contradictory they may be.

But for those who hold dear the ideals of the PAC and the principles for which they fought, the prospect of seeing their legacy compromised and diluted in the name of political expediency is a bitter pill to swallow.

It is a stark reminder of the compromises and concessions that are often required in the messy business of governance and power.

In the end, the imagined scenario of the PAC and apartheid descendants sharing power in a government of national unity forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our past, our present and our future.

It challenges us to grapple with the complexities of history, politics and identity in a society still grappling with the legacies of colonialism and apartheid.

As we look away with shame and embarrassment at this troubling image, we are reminded of the need to remain vigilant to hold fast to our principles and to never forget the sacrifices of those who came before us. In the face of such challenges, may we find the strength and courage to uphold the values of justice and true freedom that have always been at the heart of our struggle for a truly liberated Azania whereas Sobukwe said: “We’ll walk the streets of our land as free men and free women, our heads held high.”

• Tyamzashe is a former  member of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania