Today the ANC – or some government quango, because who knows more – is talking about Ukraine. Possibly. Or Russia. Could be. But they’re not going to talk about Russia’s warmongering, the invasion of Ukraine, the incessant bombing of schools, parks, zoos, apartment buildings — not even a Holocaust memorial — while the number of people fleeing their country runs into the millions… No, they’re not going to talk about that. They remain impartial because Russia is their friend; their Brics buddy; the man they like to have a beer with; a rich mate who gives them a little generosity sometimes… So now…
Today the ANC – or some government quango, because who knows more – is talking about Ukraine. Possibly. Or Russia. Could be.
But they are not going to talk about Russia’s warmongering, the invasion of Ukraine, the incessant bombing of schools, parks, zoos, apartment buildings – not even a Holocaust memorial – while the number of people fleeing their country runs into the millions…
No, they’re not going to talk about that. They remain impartial because Russia is their friend; their Brics buddy; the man they like to have a beer with; a rich mate who gives them a little generosity sometimes…
So now they’ll pretend he hasn’t really gone mad, attack his neighbors in their own house, kill them, take their things and say it’s all his, his, his.
Instead, South Africa’s official stance is, “Ah, his neighbors aren’t exactly perfect either” – I mean, look: they wanted to go to parties with the other neighbors, parties he didn’t want them to be in, parties that he didn’t want to go. He didn’t like his neighbors getting friendly, even though he yelled obscenities out the window every time they walked past.
So SA remains laughably “neutral” – we hardly recognize that Russia is the aggressor.
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Instead, SA calls for mediation. SA says “guys, come on, why don’t you talk about it”, even as Russia is on Ukraine’s throat, in Ukraine’s house, after breaking into Ukraine’s door; killed his pets; chased his family away; smashed all his furniture; and set the roof on fire.
Our supposed “neutrality” is anything but. No, we don’t have to actively intervene, but the basic moral insists that we at least say, “Dude, that’s not cool.”
Meanwhile, the only person in the cabinet not blinded by Russian bling, as far as I know, is the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandorawho made an eminently reasonable statement that nevertheless infuriated the government: “South Africa calls on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine in accordance with the UN charter, which instructs all member states to resolve international disputes by peaceful means settle in such a way that international peace and security and justice are not endangered.”
Today she might lose her job. I’m behind Naledi Pandor. I support Ukraine.