Ole : You raise a most important question -- in fact, a few.
No-one I have spoken to here can understand why Mandela & Co were so frightened about the supposed "coup" in Lesotho. To the extent that the Lesotho people interviewed on TV after the raid cannot understand it, either. Many said that they supported the ANC during the apartheid years and now the ANC comes to destroy them. Something went very wrong, indeed. Maseru was 80% destroyed, mainly by the locals, who set fire to the CBD. Almost 200 were killed (officially).
I think it may have something to do with the South African government's perception of its leadership in the local hegemony of nations. Perhaps you know that, in the war in the Congo, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola have sided with Kabila while Rwanda and Uganda have sided with the rebels. Mandela & Co were very outspoken and critical about Zimbabwe joining in. Mugabe told them to go to Hell and accused SAf of supporting the rebels. So, the relationship between SAf and neighbouring Zim is VERY strained. Mugabe treats President elect Mbeki as a child.
I don't understand the politics of Lesotho, which is a tiny kingdom. Apparently there was an election, which was rigged, and the losers got very upset and took up arms. The King didn't seem too upset but the opposition leader appealed for help from SA. And he got it. Within minutes!
So, I guess SA wanted to be sure that a pro-ANC government was in Lesotho. Nevertheless, I was not aware that the opposition was not pro-ANC as well. We are always led to believe that every black, Asian, socialist, revolutionary, gay, trouble-maker, shit-stirrer etc loves the ANC. It's only class-conscious, capitalist white pigs, like me, who are their enemies. Or so their story goes.
The Lesotho fracas seems to have settled down now. I have no doubt that the SA taxpayers will have to pay for the repair of Maseru. There is nothing like someone else's money to quell anxieties in an African bosom.
I don't believe the affair will effect the mines --- gold or otherwise. The labor is very stable and the mines are apolitical. COSATU sees to that. The only trouble is over wages. I believe many Lesotho people work on the mines.
The more important strategic substance that may have been involved was water. An enormous scheme has just been completed to bring water to Joburg and surroundings from Lesotho. For some reason the SA military went to guard the dams etc. They must have felt the water was being threatened --- although I can't see how. And, if it was, what can be done to prevent it from being vulnerable in the future?! Frankly, I think the water thing was just a bluff and the real reason for the incursion was political fear.
And a major screw-up!
Be well. |
