BLACK VERSUS WHITE CULTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA

It is unfortunate that the George Herald’s reporting may have come across as insensitive and biased. The readers of George Herald also made comments in a myopic manner. Media outlets have a responsibility to report on stories in a fair, balanced, and culturally sensitive manner. The fact that the George Herald highlighted the slaughter of a goat by a Black family for cultural practices, while ignoring the hunting practices of white individuals, raises concerns about double standards and racial bias. Cultural practices and traditions should be respected and reported on in a sensitive and nuanced manner. The media has the power to shape public opinion and influence cultural attitudes. By reporting on stories in a biased or insensitive way, they can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce systemic inequalities. @ https://www.georgeherald.com/News/Article/Local-News/a-goat-to-the-slaughter-202503120339

There was an uproar according to George Herald on the slaughter of a goat by a Black Family in Wilderness on the White Man’s Beach. It is alleged they disobeyed municipality rules created long time ago by descendants of King George, the Mad King. A Black family must use King George’s descendants’ rules to appease their ancestors and have their cultural and religious ceremonies in their native country. They must ask a person who stole their land to perform African traditional rituals.

“Trophy hunting is a commercial activity where people pay to hunt wild animals, primarily for the purpose of keeping and displaying their body parts as trophies, often the head, horns, or hide.”

What a shameless and cruel practice than slaughtering goats to appease our ancestors by African. White folks are very cruel in nature, they do not have a right to condemn African ways of living and religious practices.

White Culture of trophy hunting, particularly by white people in South Africa, is a complex and contentious issue that raises concerns about colonialism, racism, conservation, and animal welfare. Trophy hunting is closely tied to exclusive white masculinity, bravery, virility, identity, cultural heritage, and connection to “ONS PA SE LAND”. Trophy hunting is inhumane and prioritises colonial human entertainment over animal welfare. The characteristics of the culture of trophy hunting in South Africa:

• Colonial legacy: Trophy hunting in South Africa has its roots in colonialism when White settlers and their trophy hunters arrived in the 15^th to 19^th century. They brought with them their trophy hunting traditions and a desire to exploit Africa’s resources.
• Apartheid era: During apartheid (1948-1994), trophy hunting became a symbol of white privilege and power. Hunting was often used to assert dominance over the land and its indigenous people.

WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GUNDRY

The white folks must learn to respect the cultures and traditions of the original people of Africa before they condemn them. The white media must reflect on their reporting practices and ensure that they are promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes being mindful of cultural sensitivities, avoiding stereotypes, and providing balanced reporting that represents diverse perspectives.

It is unacceptable that there is a double standard when it comes to cultural practices and traditions. While some individuals view trophy hunting as a sport or a means of conservation, others see it as a necessary part of their cultural heritage.

It is hypocrisy that the white media condone and celebrate certain cultural practices by white groups whiles Black and African religious practices, culture and traditions are referred to as demonic, backward, and barbaric. This kind of behaviour is centred on original racism, superiority complex, cultural insensitivity, and a lack of sympathy and diversity skills.

White folks must respect and acknowledge that there is cultural diversity in Africa, for Africans. White folks must work hard to respect and promote inclusivity, empathy, and education, rather than perpetuating harmful stereotypes and biases of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Eugune Terblanche, Janus Waluz, King George, PW Botha, and Hendrick Verwoed.

White folks must never forget who perpetuated the historical injustices, colonialism, and apartheid in South Africa against our natural resources, including fauna and flora. We must work towards creating a more equitable society where everyone’s cultural practices and traditions are valued and respected.

The SPCA and other animal welfare organisations are never the original brainchild of Africa and Africans, it is a Eurocentric brainchild (Slave Masters and or Owners). But they must centre their activities on the promoting of humane treatment and welfare of animals. They must stop and or cease to target African cultural beliefs and practices. They must strive to create an equal and just Africa for all.

African way of conservation must be enforced that will appreciate and address the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism and apartheid on nature conservation and wildlife management can help create a more inclusive, not exclusive, and equitable conservation landscape for all Africans.

By

Dr Sefoko Ramoshaba

Founder and CEO

Social Justice and Leadership Institute

www.sjli.co.za

tlouyaphokojweng@gmail.com

064 709 2097