Racism

RACISM

"Racism involves attributing characteristics of inferiority to individuals on the basis of certain Ð''racial' characteristics." (McLennan, Ryan & Spoonley p.41). A brief insight into the background of Nelson Mandela will be given along with an outline and discussion of three examples of racism Mandela experienced and how these may illustrate racism. Discussion will also be made on how the articles and principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi could be effectively applied to the situations depicted, how these situations may have been altered for Nelson Mandela.

"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." (Mandela, 1994). These are the words of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Born in a village near Umtata in the Traskei on 18 July 1918 Mandela would have to be the most famous prisoner of our time, being imprisoned for

more than a quarter century. Admired abroad for his battle for human rights and racial equality He was president of the African National Congress, South Africa's anti apartheid movement and president to his Nation.

The government and the ANC were working on two important components, political and military. Politically the government was attempting to segregate Africans from Coloureds and Indians (Mandela, 1994). In November 1993, a referendum took place; in this the white electorate group endorsed P.W. Botha's idea to form a three split parliament, to include the other groups (Manela, 1994). Although from the outside this above plan seemed a positive way to encourage agreement within the various groups it was not quite as it seemed. The Africans and Coloureds could dictate or give choices and suggestions but it was always to the discretions of the white group and their Ð''greater' powers (ANC Historical Documents Archive, 2005). Mandela (1994) states that Botha's ruse did not deceive the people, as more than 80 per cent of eligible Indian and Coloured voters boycotted the election to the new houses of Parliament in 1984.

Mandela (1994) felt that the minimal basis to enable a non-racial future for South Africa was to ensure that each person was only eligible for one vote and voting was conducted non-racially. "Professor Dash asked me whether I took any encouragement from the governments stated intention of repealing the mixed-marriage laws and certain other apartheid statutes. Ð''This is a pinprick,' I said. Ð''It is not my ambition to marry a white woman or swim in a white pool. It is political equality that we want'. I told Dash quite candidly that at the moment we could not defeat the government on the battlefield but could make governing difficult for them." (Mandela, 1994).

A second example of racism was evident within Mandela's stay at the hospital. The only nurses allowed to work here were white, Coloured nurses were limited from entering the buildings even to visit. The clinic was extremely comfortable and for the first time I actually enjoyed a hospital convalescence (Mandela, 1994). I was provided with extra food and comforts such a pillows and the staff were vigilant in their visiting even when they had time off (Mandela, 1994).

One day, one of the nurses came