Latest news with #Makgoba
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The departure of Afrikaner refugees: A reflection of fear and privilege in post-apartheid South Africa
Afrikaner refugees spark debate in South Africa over racial identity and privilege. Image: Leon Muller Independent Newspapers The departure of 49 Afrikaner refugees to the US has sparked vigorous debate within South Africa, with political analysts suggesting that the move reflects deep-seated fears rooted in racial identity and a perceived loss of privilege since the end of apartheid. Yesterday, a group of 49 Afrikaner refugees departed South Africa for the United States amidst rising political tensions and controversial statements from former US President Donald Trump, who recently accused the South African government of committing genocide against white minorities. However, this claim has been widely unsubstantiated and met with skepticism by experts and local leaders. Experts Cite Fears of Retaliation and 'White Victimhood' Independent political analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo, Dr Metji Makgoba, commented on the issue, suggesting that many of the Afrikaners leaving South Africa are suffering from a sense of 'white victimhood.' 'Many parts of the world are democratic, and if people feel unhappy with their circumstances, they are free to move elsewhere,' Makgoba said. Since 1994, the South African government has pursued a path of reconciliation. There has been no targeted genocide against white people, nor have there been policies aimed at eradicating or oppressing them based on race.' He added that these fears are often rooted in anxiety and perceived threats rather than reality. 'What we are dealing with here is a culture of white supremacy and fear of retribution,' Makgoba explained. 'Some Afrikaners feel that one day they might face retribution, even though no evidence supports this. They are acting out of fear, not fact.' The Broader Context: Crime and Economic Challenges Makgoba also emphasised that the narrative of victimisation overlooks the broader social and economic context. South Africa faces significant challenges related to crime, inequality, and economic disparity—issues that affect all citizens, regardless of race. 'The crime rate is high, and everyone is impacted—black, white, and others,' he stated. 'Many have improved their security, such as installing gates or hiring private security. But these issues are not exclusive to white communities, nor do they justify fleeing the country.' Historical and Social Dynamics Since the end of apartheid, South Africa has undergone a complex transformation, while progress has been made, economic inequality and racial tensions persist. Some white South Africans, feeling marginalised or fearful of losing their privileges, have chosen to seek safety elsewhere, often citing security concerns as their primary motivation. Makgoba emphasised that the political landscape has shifted toward greater inclusion. 'The government's reconciliation efforts have been genuine, and most South Africans seek peace and stability,' he said. 'The departure of these Afrikaners reflects more individual fears and perceptions than systemic persecution.' Skepticism Over the Refugee Claim Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Political analyst Sandile Swana expressed skepticism about the refugees' claims, asserting that there is no evidence of genocide or targeted threats against white Afrikaners in South Africa. Swana pointed out that for someone to qualify as a refugee or asylum seeker, that they cannot remain in their country of origin. 'In regions like Eritrea, the DRC, and Sudan, refugees flee well-documented dangers and persecution, however, in South Africa, there are no documented threats targeting white Afrikaners or individuals based on their political or religious beliefs." South Africa's Response The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has also responded to the US's stance on granting asylum to these individuals, criticising the use of the term 'refugee' as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine South Africa's sovereignty. Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri stated, 'Even if there are allegations of discrimination, these do not meet the threshold of persecution required under domestic and international refugee law.' IOL Politics
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's VAT decision: Genuine relief or a mere illusion?
Understanding the impact of South Africa's Value Added Tax decision on the poor Image: IOL/Independent Newspapers Experts have warned that while the decision to scrap the planned 0.5% VAT hike appears compassionate on the surface, experts warn that it could merely mask the deeper systemic issues afflicting the nation's economy and political landscape. In a move that has sparked mixed reactions across the nation on Thursday, the South African government recently announced that it will not increase the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate in the upcoming fiscal period. According to the National Treasury, this decision is aimed at providing temporary relief to the country's struggling poor communities, who are often hardest hit by rising living costs. The National Treasury's decision to hold off on increasing VAT comes amid a challenging economic environment marked by sluggish growth, high unemployment, and persistent inequality. Traditionally, VAT increases are viewed as a straightforward way for governments to boost revenue without directly taxing income or profits, which often face resistance from voters and business groups. Yet, in South Africa's case, raising VAT has often been criticised for disproportionately affecting people experiencing poverty, who spend a larger share of their income on consumption. Dr Metji Makgoba, a senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo and an independent political analyst, said that by choosing not to hike VAT, the government has ostensibly aimed to shield the most vulnerable from further financial strain. 'This is a temporary relief for the poor, but it's not a political victory when you look at the broader picture. The underlying issues of economic inequality and racial capitalism remain unaddressed.' Racial Capitalism and Structural Inequality Makgoba emphasised that South Africa's economic relations are primarily governed by what he describes as 'racial capitalism'—a system that perpetuates racial inequalities through economic exclusion and systemic bias. He argued that the decision not to increase VAT is superficial. 'It doesn't challenge the structural inequalities that keep the majority of Black South Africans in poverty. Instead, it maintains a system that benefits a small elite while the majority suffers.' Another independent political analyst, Joe Mhlanga, echoes this perspective, believing that the core issues lie in the broader economic policies that favour the wealthy and powerful. 'The power that drives policymaking in South Africa is anti-poor. The ruling elite's focus on market stability often comes at the expense of the marginalised, who become the punching bags of these policies," said Makgoba.
The Herald
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba hails Pope Francis as 'champion of the poor'
Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a 'champion of the poor'. Makgoba said the 'poor of the world will be those who will miss him the most as a champion and custodian of their hopes and dreams'. ' On behalf of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and with a heavy heart, I give thanks to God for the life of Pope Francis. For me, as for so many around the globe, his death feels almost like a personal loss,' said Makgoba. . 'On the numerous occasions I and my wife, Lungi, met him, he made you feel as if you were the only person in the world, holding you in his gaze with those piercing, warm and attentive eyes. 'Our last meeting with him was particularly special, when he got out of his wheelchair and insisted on walking over to us, then sat down with those of us appointed to greet and engage with him. It was an indescribable experience.' He added the pontiff would be remembered as an incredible, prophetic pastor who embraced the marginalised, begging priests to identify with them as 'shepherds living with the smell of sheep'. ' He was a master of gesture; he supported all. Though he primarily led the world's Catholics, he also gave leadership to the whole Christian family. We will remember him for his wise counsel, posing deep theological questions, and his encyclical on care for the environment, Laudato Si', will resonate through generations as we seek to love God's creation,' said Makgoba. TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
21-04-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
Archbishop Makgoba describes Pope Francis as the last globally recognised moral voice
CAPE TOWN - Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has described Pope Francis as the last globally recognised moral voice. The archbishop's comments come after the Vatican confirmed the passing of the head of the Catholic Church. The 88-year-old Pontiff died at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta on Sunday. READ: Pope's death feels almost like a personal loss says Archbishop Makgoba Pope Francis has been in and out of the hospital recently, struggling with ill health. Archbishop Makgoba said the Pope's death feels almost like a personal loss, and shared some fond memories of interacting with him. "I will always remember the many special moments he spent with us as Anglican bishops and prelates. Our last meeting with him was particularly special, when he got out of his wheelchair and insisted on walking over to us, then sat down with those of us appointed to greet and engage with him. It was an indescribable experience," said Makgoba.
Russia Today
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
South African unity government infighting threatens confidence in democracy
Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba used his Easter sermon to not only preach about the meaning of significance of the weekend, but he also warned that Government of National Unit (GNU) 'grandstanding' threatens to create a 'crisis of confidence' in democracy, unless political parties learn to accept one another's legitimacy. Delivering his annual sermon at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town, Makgoba also urged that the 'national dialogue' being planned by the presidency needs to be able to act independently, without being dictated to by politicians. 'In South Africa, it is a time during which the credibility and commitment to good governance of our political parties is seriously open to question,' he told the congregation. 'Last week leaders of the South African Council of Churches met with President Ramaphosa and members of his Cabinet, where we registered our protest at the way in which members of the GNU are engaging in grandstanding and political one-upmanship at the expense of resolving the urgent challenges our nation faces. 'For my part, I am concerned that unless our politicians stop playing these dangerous games and develop a proper respect for the legitimacy of their partners in the administration, the very concept of democratic governance in South Africa is headed for a crisis of confidence,' Makgoba said. He added that a section of the African National Congress (ANC) leadership finds it difficult to accept that they no longer enjoy the support of the majority of the electorate, 'and still behave as if they alone enjoy legitimacy'. 'The Democratic Party (DA) sometimes behaves as if its electoral support entitles it just to override the views of those who represented a far bigger proportion of the electorate in the last election. And at municipal level especially, we see small minority parties exercising far more power than their legitimacy entitles them to.' Makgoba said thirty years into democracy, the legitimacy of every party elected to Parliament needs to be respected, and no party should assume a legitimacy greater than their strength at the ballot box gives them. He also said success for the national dialogue depended on 'the process becoming everyone's business, not just the government's'. '...It is critical for the credibility of the dialogue for it to be free from manipulation by political and economic elites. 'To avoid that happening, the President's proposed Advisory Panel of Eminent Persons and the dialogue's steering committee need to be able to act independently, without being dictated to by politicians. The relevance of the dialogue will depend on how representative its deliberations are of the full spectrum of South African society,' Makgoba said. 'We will establish true justice in South Africa only if we fulfill the promises of our Constitution by working together for the common good. If we fail to show that democracy can improve the lives of our people, we run the risk of going the way of those countries in the so-called developed world which are threatening to slide downwards into populist autocracies.'First published by IOL
