The Native Club contributions by Sandile Memela and Ebrahim Harvey (May 5) were thought-provoking. I am not an intellectual; I am just an ordinary black citizen with questions to ask and a keen interest in the realm of ideas.
I agree with Memela that we do not need intellectuals whose sole obsession is to criticise the government at every turn. Sadly, we have a few of those. Rhoda Kadalie easily comes to mind. But the likes of her also have a role to play in a democracy.
However, I disagree with his assertion that commentators/intellectuals outside of the government like Xolela Mangcu and Sipho Seepe are popularity-seeking celebrities who seek to perpetuate the skewed status quo.
”If you wish to converse with me,” said Voltaire, ”define your terms.” Well, Memela defined his terms: black thinkers must contribute provided they are not critical of the government. Provided the agenda and the para-meters are set out for them. Otherwise they are ”celebrity intellectuals”.
Shouldn’t we be more concerned by celebrity politicians and public servants — a disturbing phenomenon that is becoming increasingly popular and acceptable in our society? One of its ugly consequences is playing itself out at the moment: we hear that the complainant in the Zuma rape trial is about to be exiled, her safety not guaranteed in South Africa.
Reason? She had the courage to accuse a popular (celebrity, populist) political leader. Is that the freedom Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani, Steve Biko, Robert Sobukwe, Walter Sisulu and countless others fought for? There should be outrage.
True intellectuals are unafraid to face uncomfortable facts. Should black intellectuals, for example, speak out against a white regime’s repression of its citizens, but keep quiet when the repression is by a black government, as is happening in Zimbabwe?
To label people, to second-guess their motives and not debate the issues they raise, is a cowardly tactic often used by insecure authoritarians. It is therefore not surprising that Memela’s credible intellectuals are in the government.
If I was to use his tactics of playing the man and not the ball, I would say his views are not surprising by virtue of him being a government spokesperson. But I will resist that temptation.
We should appreciate and support the state’s good initiatives — and speak our minds when it messes up. That is the attitude of a mature mind that tolerates differences of opinion and does not take criticism personally.
An intellectual with an impotent mind is a contradiction in terms. And equally, a government intellectual is often nothing more than an ideologue.