Today in African History

-

On June 2, 1999, South Africans went to the polls in their second post-apartheid election, giving the African National Congress a decisive victory. This also marked the retirement of President Nelson Mandela (Tata) and Thabo Mbeki takes office. Some describe this as the moment that the South African government became an independent government in the truest sense. On the other hand, some see South Africa's progress as a pyrrhic victory considering the violent crime sprees and recent xenophobic violence.





Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica. Amen










Sources: informationman.com, phrases.org

Photo Source: cache.eb.com

Comments

Babz Rawls Ivy said…
Oh Africa, My Africa.

Stephen Bess,
You have a way of reminding us of things gone by. You ought to be a historian. A true keeper of all things important for memory and the future.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:00:00 PM
All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said…
u know i was and still down with the PAC
"one settler, one bullet

S. Africa like America is a republic and not a democracy

land owners make decision

they vote like us
but who owns the mines
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:47:00 PM
Crankyputz said…
Your site is one of the most enlightening pieces out there....
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:54:00 PM
Rethabile said…
You said it. And thanks for the link.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:40:00 PM
christina said…
You are a true memory keeper. Do you keep scrap/heritage books? You are a wonderful photographer also:)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:14:00 PM
NML/Natalie said…
The others are right - you are very good of reminding us of key moments and events from the past. Thank youx
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:47:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Great reminder. Even this settler can appreciate the signifance! Would rather like to avoid the bullet and contribute to a peaceful and coexisting society.

Afterall, I try to maintain an exisitence where the considerations about life should help to achieve liberation from such tyrannies of belief, replacing them with informed commitments to human affections, tolerance, and the wisdom taught by individual experience.

Leaving is no option - what is the alternative to 'one bullet'?
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:41:00 PM
Stephen A. Bess said…
Lovebabz-
Thanks. Lord knows I try.

T Stephens-
Emil has responded below. Thanks for the comment.


Cranky-
Thanks. Ready for vacation?

Rethabile-
Thank you, sir.

Christina-
Thanks, sister.

NML-
Always a pleasure, sis.

Kawana-
Thanks for the comment.

Emil-
I can appreciate a peaceful and coexisting society. I wish, I hope, and I pray for peace. Thanks.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:38:00 PM
All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said…
Ill agree with that but recant

"Freedom must be aggressively persued, it is not a gift bestowed upon won, bot agressivelly taken, or welse is one free?
Thursday, June 05, 2008 11:14:00 AM
Tha BossMack TopSoil said…
I'm feeling that pic, it seems like that dude waited a very long time to experience democracy.
Friday, June 06, 2008 3:52:00 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DC Legend: Chicken Wings & Mumbo Sauce

-
Image
Mumbo Jumbo Noun. 1. Confusing or incomprehensible language or activity. 2. An obscure ritual or incantation. [Mandingo origin.] American Heritage Dictionary Of the English Language Mumbo sauce? Anyone who has ever traveled east of the Anacostia River has heard the term, Mumbo Sauce. What do I mean by east of the river? I mean if you have ventured anywhere near Benning Road, Wheeler Road, Southern Avenue, or Minnesota Avenue in North/Southeast Washington, D.C. There is no way that you can go into any Korean owned and operated “Kerry-Out” [ trans. Carry-Out food ] in DC and not hear someone order french fries with chicken wings and Mumbo Sauce. Impossible! Some like it on the chicken and others (like me) like it on the side. I’ve always thought of Mumbo Sauce as a DC thang, but where did it really come from?  Actually, Mumbo Sauce originated on Chicago's Southside in the early 1950s by a man named Argia B. Collins, who was known for his famous ribs and barbeque Mumbo Sauce. N...
Read more

Remembering Linda Pollin

-
Image
I grew up in the  Linda Pollin Memorial Housing Projects.   First of all, I did not know that it was built in memory of Abe Pollin's daughter.  In fact, I didn't even know the name, Abe Pollin.  I was a child, so I thought it was just a name given to the apartments.  At the time, my siblings and I had no idea that we lived in a housing project.  Well, the complex had a swimming pool, and the grounds were well kept. Also, it didn't resemble the well known surrounding projects like  Valley Green , Condon Terrace , or Wahler Place . The manager was Ms. Royster who was sort of a no-nonsense type of landlord based on the conversations I heard from grownups.  However, she seemed nice; plus, we all played with and knew her son, John. Well, although Mr. Pollin passed away back in 2009, I would still like to thank him for building the "LP" as we used to call it.  When I became old enough to learn that it was built by Mr. Pollin to honor his ...
Read more

Frank Brown (A.K.A. Uncle Ben???)

-
Image
Did you know that Uncle Ben was a real person? We really don't care who is fact or fiction when we want some rice to go with those red beans or peas. We just want to eat, right? Well, Uncle Ben was a African American rice farmer from Texas who won many prizes for his methods and quality in growing rice. I know that most of us think of Asia when it comes to the cultivation and quality of rice, but there was a region in West Africa that Europeans called the "Rice Coast" near Sierra Leone. That area was a strategic focus during the slave trade in the late 1760's because rice was becoming a fast growing industry in America. Uncle Ben's ancestors were most likely victims of the rice boom. Anyway, Uncle Ben's reputation grew and his rice soon became the standard in which all rice would be measured. How did his face get on the box? Did he start his own company? Well, no. That's not even his face on the box. The face on the box was a man from Chicago named Frank B...
Read more