One of the world's greatest political analysts,Moeletsi Mbeki,has termed it 'neo-colonialism'.I prefer to call it 'economic imperialism'.
The Dalai Lama predicament that South Africa was faced with a few days ago is a classic example of how Africa-despite many of its nations' independence from Europe's colonial conglomerates-is somewhat still suffering from some degree of colonialism and oppression.
When the Dalai Lama applied for a visa-in an unfortunately unsuccessful attempt to join his lifetime friend,Archbishop Tutu,for his birthday celebrations-South Africa was faced with quite a dilemma.This is due to the fact that he is leader of Tibet,whose relationship with China has been,for decades,marred by war,conflict and social unrest.Put in layman's terms,the two have been arch enemies for quite a number of years.
China and South Africa are members of a global economic conglomerate known as BRICSA-acronym for Brazil,Russia,India,China,and South Africa.The inception of this international powerhouse has resulted in China being one of South Africa's major trading partners;the two nations have had a mutually-beneficial economic relationship.Now,for us to have granted the Tibetan leader a visa would've possibly sparked a huge amount of unnecessary tension between us and our much needed trading partner,China.I am quite certain that had we acted differently,it would've undoubtedly subsequently lead to China parting ways with us,and it is for this specific reason that I object to Tata Tutu's reprimanding of the ANC and its president,Jacob Zuma.Well,I have to be honest and say that initially I endorsed the Archbishop's blatant act of rebuke against the ruling party,but as time went on-and of course after gathering substantive facts regarding the matter (facts that corroborated my change of opinion)-I disagreed with him monumentally!
The debacle is quite indicative of how we (Africans) are still substantially subservient.Residual imperialism,if you will,exists;and unfortunately globalization is aggravating it.
I cannot help but feel a great sense of poignancy when I hear and read negative statements about the ANC-in respect of how they dealt with the aforementioned situation-from a bunch of callous,foul-mouthed,knowledge-lacking,stereotypical bigots.Bigots who evidently used the situation as an excuse to unfairly criticize the ruling party-a situation that was out of their control,mind you!And a situation that I've duly dubbed 'economic imperialism' due to the fact that our government was indirectly extorted into making the decision it made in an endeavour to maintain its flourishing economic relationship with China,which,unfortunately,a lot of people would argue otherwise.
