We can’t wish Rhodes away

IT SEEMS that the daggers are out for white colonialists who have left their presence behind in the form of statues. Like the British imperialist, the statue of Cecil John Rhodes will no longer grace the lawns of UCT. Where does this madness stop? Which statues will be targeted next? As unpalatable as it may sound, history cannot be erased by the simple act of destroying statues from the past.

While the actions by the colonialists in respect of exploitation and subjugation were inherently wrong, they did bring with them engineering and building skills which resulted in the construction of brick and mortar structures, bridges, rail and roads.

In spite of the despicable acts perpetrated by Rhodes with the support of the British government where almost 4 000 Boer women and 22 000 children perished because of poor food rations and diseases, he remains the greatest philanthropist this country has ever seen.

The Rhodes postgraduate scholarship funds 83 exceptional students to study at the University of Oxford. This figure includes seven from South Africa. Fundamentally, Rhodes is inextricably part and parcel of our documented history, whether we acknowledge this fact or not. He cannot be wished away.

Students need to focus their attention on the real issues, like poverty, the mediocre education system, service delivery protests, rising petrol and commodity prices that impact on the poorest of the poor, job creation strategies, alternatives and solutions to the energy crisis facing South Africa and the multifaceted scourge of crime and corruption that which, if left unchecked, has the capacity to destroy this fledgling democracy.

Former president Thabo Mbeki recognised the efforts – both good and bad – of various groups that shaped South Africa.

The removal or desecration of the statue of Rhodes – or any other statue, for that matter – falls outside the ambit of reconciliation envisioned in both Mbeki’s speech and our constitution.

Society needs constructive engagement and dialogue to reconcile our past with our present.

The process of change is critical and has to be managed strategically. Change cannot be dictated by a few hotheads with their own narrow agenda.

VIJAY SURUJPAL Phoenix