If it were not for Rhodes, many of these students would not be enjoying the privilege of being part of UCT, says Gordon Dally.
Johannesburg - I am deeply alarmed that the University of Cape Town is convening a meeting to consider the removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes.
Who are these infantile people who believe that by throwing poo on a statute, they now have the right to demand its removal?
If it were not for Rhodes, many of these young students would not be enjoying the privilege of being part of UCT, a recognised institution worldwide.
In spite of the Anglo-Boer War even the Nationalist government did not destroy the history of Rhodes.
Subsequent to the establishment of the Rhodes Scholarship in 1902, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship was formed.
I quote from the website: “The bringing together of these two names represents a symbolic moment in the closing of the historic circle; drawing together the legacies of reconciliation and leadership and those of entrepreneurship and education.”
It would be of interest to know – if any of these students were offered a scholarship from the organisation, would they refuse to accept it on account of the scholarship bearing the name of Rhodes?
Or are they going to insist that the name of Rhodes be dropped from the name of this organisation?
I repeat two quotes I have come across: “A nation that neglects its intellectual treasures undermines its culture and sows the seeds of decline” and “a nation without history is like a man without memories”.
Rhodes is very much part of our history as are Nelson Mandela, Jan Smuts, Walter Sisulu, Steve Biko, Mahatma Gandhi, Helen Suzman and King Shaka, to name a few.
Whatever Rhodes’s political failings may have been, he was a great entrepreneur and a forerunner in helping to build much of South Africa and Zimbabwe.
It must also be remembered that Rhodes left most of his wealth to South Africa. He bequeathed the 1 300 acres of his land where the first botanical garden in the world was established, Kirstenbosh.
Therefore, I suggest that if this statue is to be removed, it should be re-erected in these gardens.
If we compare Rhodes with what the present ANC government is doing to South Africa there is a vast difference.
Rhodes was a builder and not like the ANC who are destroying most of what they inherited when they gained their independence in 1994.
Not one of the government’s parastatals, like Eskom, SAA, Transnet, the Post Office or Telkom, are profitable, and there is hardly a day that goes by that we do not read of a corrupt government official being found out.
The education system is a failure and the hospitals are on the decline.
Most of the ANC-controlled municipalities hardly receive clear audits.
In conclusion, I would like to add that most nations have both a good and bad history. Black people should stop using the term “white imperialism” as a guise for racialism.
I can assure them that the majority of white people want to live in harmony with black people.
South Africa is the country of our birth and we want to share not only our heritage but also their heritage.
Please do not blot the Rainbow Nation envisaged by Mandela.
Gordon Dally
Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort
* The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
The Star