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Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, with Stellenbosch University rector and vice-chancellor Russel Botman, left, salutes Professor John de Gruchy, right, who edited a new book, in Stellenbosch. Tutu earlier called for a wealth tax on whites. Photo: Murray Williams
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has called for a “wealth tax” to be imposed on all white South Africans.
The former archbishop of Cape Town and former head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) also called on members of President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet to sell their “expensive cars”, “to show you care” about the poor in South Africa.
Tutu said apartheid had left South Africans riddled with “self-hate”, and it was directly to blame for the country’s vicious crime rate and road carnage.
He made the calls on Thursday night during a book launch at Stellenbosch University’s Institute for Advanced Study.
The book, The Humanist Imperative in South Africa, contains 26 essays by leading academics and public figures and is edited by Professor John de Gruchy.
As guest of honour, Tutu recounted the myriad ways apartheid had dehumanised South Africans.
“Apartheid damaged us all; not a single one of us has escaped.”
In a break from his prepared speech, Tutu said a “wealth tax” had been suggested during the TRC process, and had enjoyed support at the time.
Moments earlier, he had told the whites in the conference room: “You all benefited from apartheid. Your children went to fancy schools, you lived in posh suburbs.”
He stressed, however, that this did not mean all whites had supported apartheid.
Speaking to the Cape Argus after his speech, Tutu expanded on his wealth tax call.
“There were many in the white community who were ready for this (at the time of the TRC process).
“It could be quite piffling, maybe 1 percent of their stock exchange holdings. It’s nothing. But it could have helped... maybe building new homes, and that would have been an extraordinary symbol of their readiness.”
Asked whether he was again calling for a “wealth tax”, Tutu said: “That’s what I’m saying.”
He then laughed: “What were you doing in there (the conference centre)? Were you listening?”
Tutu did not say how he wished the tax to be implemented, but said he hoped whites themselves would “agitate” for it to be imposed upon them.
Throughout his speech, Tutu cited numerous examples of what he saw as apartheid’s impact, which had fundamentally been an “erosion of self-esteem” and the advent of “self-hate”. He blamed South Africa’s high crime rate on this, saying: “Thus we must not be surprised at the staggering statistics of violent crime, murder, rape.
“When you suffer from self-hate you project it on to those who look like you and so we have so-called black-on-black violence, where the victim of a hijacking is shot even when she has surrendered her car keys.”
In another example, Tutu said black South Africans continued to litter as a result of apartheid.
“The disgrace of littering... is not a function of poverty. Our parents were poor but our surroundings were scrupulously clean because apartheid had not yet done its pernicious work.”
This “work”, this eventual impact of apartheid’s policies, had left black South Africans feeling: “I am nothing, I am rubbish and so it does not matter that I live among all this rubbish which reflects what I think of myself.”
Tutu said another manifestation of the effect of apartheid was the nation’s road death rate, which was regularly one of the highest in the world.
“We show it how we drive recklessly, inconsiderately, aggressively… because deep down we are angry and so the appalling carnage on our roads during the holidays… horrendous statistics we just accept.
“We are wounded.”
Speaking about the cabinet ministers’ cars, Tutu challenged them: “Your handbook permits you to buy very expensive cars and most of you have done so. In the spirit of ubuntu, to show that you care, that you are compassionate, please sell your expensive cars and replace them with slightly less pricey cars.
“Your humanity depends upon it.”
Tutu said he drove a BMW, which aides described as “a very old three-series”. - Cape Argus
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Anonymous, wrote
When does it end? BEE, AA, nationalisation. Please impose your racist wealth tax. I have no interest in you, or South Africa. You can have 'your' lands back.
Second Opinion, wrote
Thats strange, because my barber, who is equally as qualified in socio-economics, disagrees.
Anonymous, wrote
With a statement like this perhaps too much communion wine hey Arch?
Anonymous, wrote
Arcie is right. One generation must pay to rectify the past. I just don't know how we will decide which whites were benefiting, and which were gonna become rich irrespective of their race. Also, if there are black people richer than whites? What then? Is there a wealth threshold? Go ahead, critisize...do you have a better idea?
Anonymous, wrote
An over simplification!!!!!
Koos, wrote
I hope he dies soon.
Tlaks, wrote
Anonymous, are you only realising that now? This senile old man lost it a long time ago. I am black and proud of it, but am against this sort of tax.
Bruce, wrote
Good idea, Arch. Take mine. Once I've paid all the levies and taxes and increases, I have about R2.73 left on which to live for the rest for the month. You're welcome to it.
Getting tired, wrote
Why is it assumed that if you are white you are rich? And what is even more disturbing from our leadership is that if you are black you are poor? Some people have actually worked very hard in the last 17 years (and even before that) to get what they have to day. I respect all people, from all races, who refuse to get involved with this stupid debate and actually do something to improve themselves and not wait for hand outs.
Kevin, Johannesburg, wrote
It's always someone else's fault. We're not responsible for our own actions and we can't shape our own destiny. Shame on you Mr. Tutu, that's the kind of thinking that leads to "low self esteem".
Anonymous, wrote
why now? what is he agitating for? is he trying to promote emigration? drive people away from the anglican church? thanks for spoiling my friday arch!
Anonymous, wrote
This kind of Spew is the very reason why I am typing this comment from Australia. I am a fairly well qualified IT specialist, gone from the country, and hoping to not return any time soon. To heap this accusation onto everyone with a seemingly "white" surface would be too broad, and to conduct a witch hunt to locate likely candidates would be contrary to the spirit of the TRC. What was he thinking? Is he having a "senior moment", or just losing the plot?
Anonymous, wrote
Desmond, I have worked and paid my taxes for 40 years, and managed to scrimp and save so that I wouldn't be a burden on the state now that I'm reaching retirement age - now you want me to pay wealth tax? Are you suffering from racist dementia? I didn't benefit from apartheid as you alledge, I was a victim, just like you and yours, I just had the backbone to start at the bottom, never once rioting or expecting hand-outs from government, and through sheer hard work have managed to get to the top of the ladder. Nobody is going to take away from me what I have worked 40 years for! Go and get stuffed! Unfortunately that is typical of blacks all over the world, this air of entitlement - they do bugger all and expect the white man to share their hard earned wealth with some useless lazy person who breeds indiscriminately and wants a job but doesn't want to work!
Anonymous, wrote
Trying to win favour with the ANCYL now? They are the usual racists, now its the bishops turn to bash the whites, oh dear!!!
James, wrote
I think its been misquoted their should be tax on the BEE rich the BLACK ELITE EMPOWERED .... oops i forgot only White people are wealthy ... oops sorry
MarkN, wrote
He is finally showing his true colours - one bigotted racist. For someone would has meant to have stepped out of the limelight he has suddenly developed a big mouth and what about the black "crooks" or are those his buddies ?
Anonymous, wrote
How much longer must the white people in South Africa feel guilty for Apartheid. It is time for the Government there to look forward to the future and stop blaming the whites - THere is more than enough tax money but it has been mispent on Soccer Stadiums and fancy cars. If they continue down this road, they will probably marginalise the whites (if they haven't already) and then they will get a massive backlash in which everybody will lose .Wake Up !!
Anonymous, wrote
desmond, there are plenty of rich black people. Let them also look after their own people! this is pure discrimination!
Ivelostrespect, wrote
I'm white, but from the country who used to fight against apartheid supporting tutu's. My husband supposed to benefit from apartheid but both of us live from hand to mouth. More tax from whites? welcome South Africa to the darkest of Africa!
Ivelostrespect, wrote
I'm white, but from the country who used to fight against apartheid supporting tutu's. My husband supposed to benefit from apartheid but both of us live from hand to mouth. More tax from whites? welcome South Africa to the darkest of Africa!
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