A shameful document

I was searching for a quotation on the net this week and came across this
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I don’t know whether Admin will allow me to post this – if not, it doesn’t matter – but I was truly appalled by the content.
Basically it’s the RSA government progamme produced to accompany a state visit by the Ugandan president to RSA and specifically to Isandhlwana in 2011.
It contains the expected photos of Zuma and his ministers and the usual timeworn cliches but when it gets to the paragraph headed BACKGROUND there are lies and distortions of the truth not worthy of a democracy, albeit a new(-ish) one.  
As for presuming to relate the history of Isandhlwana the text is absolutely shameful.  The document states that the British commanders sent first Zulu traitors to meet the impi (and they were wiped out while the regulars sat in their tents watching and quaffing brandy) and that the British soldiers at Rorke’s Drift were hiding and cowardly.  And most of them of course received Victoria Crosses.  
Given my personal connection to the war I felt first of all anger, then laughter (as the document is simply ludicrous) and then disappointment and sadness.
Isandhlwana was a great victory for the Zulus but how foolish to present it as a victory over drunken cowards and foolish traitors which simply diminishes its status and importance in the eyes of anyone who reads the doc.  
If I were a Zulu descendant of one of the warriors or simply a proud Zulu I would be very angry indeed.
Were my ancestors only capable of beating the British when they behaved like drunken cowards I would ask myself?  Not much of a victory there!
And then I thought how sad for all South African citizens to read this nonsense and to witness the ignorance, rudeness, and mendaciousness of their government.  What an example to set its people!  What must its children think when confronted with such blatant lies?  Of what lies will the government be capable next?
As a piece of propaganda it is very poor indeed.  It doesn’t even bother to manipulate the truth or massage the facts, it simply lies blatantly.  Whoever sanctioned it, whoever wrote it, whoever approved it as a piece of government documentation could not have been very bright and must have a very poor opinion of his people to think they would be taken in by it.  And then…to place it on the web for all the world to see and laugh at!!
My hopes for South Africa have been greatly reduced.
(I understand fully if fellow forum members from RSA choose not to respond to this.  I have the luxury of living in a country where there is still freedom of speech - though at this rate who knows for how much longer?)

Absolute lies............ they were drinking Gin Tsk !

Tea surely? Milk, two sugars.

Julian,

Look on the web for the author of those machinations. Discover what deeds he has been accused of, and then form your own judgement.

At a recent meeting with a member of the Zulu Royal House the subject of teaching of history in the schools in KZN was mentioned. They were alarmed to discover that South African history appears to have started in 1994!

Welcome to the New South Africa.

JY

I echo the "Welcome to the New South Africa" comment.

Brett

Apparently (according to Google) "Maphalala applied unsuccessfully for the post of truth and reconciliation commissioner"

No s**t Sherlock.......

He seems a 'wonderful' person......unfortunately with a lot of power to influence the unwary.......

Hi All,
Indeed........sheer buffoonery.
Not too much of a surprise however with only three years of formal schooling and many of the present MP's totally illiterate.


barry

A case of the sword being mightier than the pen, eh Barry?

I did hear that 32 members of the South African Parliament emigrated to Australia thereby increasing the intellectual levels of both countries quite considerably.

Frank,

Ah yes but in accordance to the Australian Government Policy of 'One in One Out', the Australians are now deciding which 32 of their citizens are going to be sent to South Africa.......

When I was skimming the internet about JM - I came across an article from last year saying that there was a move to rename South Africa, because it was a 'geographical phrase' rather than a name.

Did anything progress with this or has it been 'parked'?

Ta

Sime

Sadly there seems to be a trend in certain quarters to view the battle as a very one sided walkover - I was told quite clearly by certain factions that the battle was all over in 3 minutes with few shots fired and light Zulu casualties - even though I was quoting Zulu accounts back to them - and remember this isn't a Zulu victory it's a pan African overthrow of white invaders and told in isolation I don't things will change dramatically under the new flag but i do hope to be able to tell both sides stories for the 140th.

Sime
The last name I heard bandied about was Azania. prior to that it was ' The Golden Reserve for rich pickings by Jacob Zuma and friends'
I tend to ignore these issues until it impacts on my private space. Then I adjust whatever needs to be adjusted so I can continue to ignore.
Tim there is without doubt an ANC/EFF/BFLF driven agenda to promote black nationalistic history at the expense of the truth. Or to 'Africanise' Education, Culture, Sport etc. right or wrong, "I couldn't possibly comment "

Historically in Greek/Roman times Azania was the name for the bit of Africa around Kenya and Tanzania (roughly).

No, your right its not worth worrying about....I was just fascinated by it.....

Cheers

Sime