the boot of the huge man as it smashed into his ribs. "You'll never look at a white vrou again, will you kaffir?" he asked, his voice sickly sweet in sarcasm, and heavily accented. The kaffir groaned and dripped blood from bis tom lip. The crowd nodded in appraisal for the white man who stood up to the kaffirs and showed them that they couldn't do as they liked. He was elevated to a state where he could do no wrong. Sensing this, he grew bolder. "Any mense here have sisters?" - a few nods. "You want that this kaffir to make eyes at your sister?" A murmer of disapproval rose from the crowd. "Herejong,skop hom,"he was staring at me.I stepped into the circle. Adrenalin held the pity I should have felt at bay, and coaxed the hatred I felt into a keen blade. I swung my boot into the back of tbe kaffir's bead. The soft muscle at the base ofhis skull opened inwardly like the petals of a rosebud, and I felt the warm spray of blood as it beaded my legs and arms. My grandfather knelt beside tbe unconscious black man. The crowd dispersed sheepishly. The three black men who had shared the cigarette earlier, now stooped to hoist the body of their fallen friend to shoulder height. The three of them, burdened by the limp body of the guitar player, sauntered in the African way towards the compound at the far end of the town.They sang as they walked,deep and guttural, and I cried. But Africa has no place for tears. Tears are a luxury only white men can afford, and even then only briefly. I glanced at the cut in my leg made by the black man's head as I had struck him.I bled. My blood mixed on my leg with that which the black man had spilt. They were both the same deep red. The same blood in the same people - Africans. by Rowan Leibbrandt Form 5 FREEDOM IN SOUTH AERICA Ever since the 1820 Settlers arrived in the Cape,racial and political problems have existed in South Africa. These physical differences and social preferences have both been primary causes of horrific massacres throughout South African history. At last, though, the people of South Africa are coming together in the realisation of the light at the end of a gloomy tunnel. The release of Nelson Mandela from prison on that famous day in February 1990 signified the welcome end ofthe old regime and the beginning offreedom and unity for the first time in South Africa. That day will always be remembered in the hearts and minds of many for numerous years to come. There were many problems which led to the imprisonment of Mandela, but only one stands out as the most important: the problem of inequalities between black and white people under the old regime. Mandela, who was one of the more educated black youths, disliked the apartheid system of government and saw how blatantly unfair it was.Because oftbis, he spent the majority of his teenage years protesting and struggling for the good of his fellow black men.These actions ultimately led to his imprisonment and he was accused of being a radical.At that time this could easily have been justified but surely,though,one human being is not inferior to another, irrespective of the colour of his skin. Mandela, therefore, cannot be blamed for his actions which caused him to be put in prison. From this old system it can be seen that many people were prevented from living as freely as others. It, too, caused a stir throughout the world and many enemies were made abroad. South Africa slowly began to be ignored and trade links with other countries gradually weakened. Eventually a curtain was drawn over South Africa and it was discarded by the rest of the world. The economy was not the only aspect to sufferfrom the system. Thousands of sportsmen and women were starved of international competition during this era. Names like Graeme Pollock, Danie Gerber and Zola Budd were never able to fulfil tbeir potential and become true sporting legends. Corruption, turmoil and bloodshed during apartheid washed out many opportunities for them to compete internationally. In a way this was tragic and very unfortunate for them. Contrastingly,today our sportspeople are reaching new heights and performing admirably once again in the international arena. One only has to look as far as the Springbok rugby team. Recently, by winning the most prestigious rugby tournament, the World Cup, they have shown the rest ofthe world whatthey have missed for so long during isolation. They not only won the William Webb-Ellis tropby, but they also did a great deal in unifying our South African nation. It must be remembered, though, that this was only made possible by the courageous struggle of one man: Nelson Mandela. Through his dedication and committment he has freed a whole nation from a cruel system of govemment, and created a new concept of living in what is now the"New South Africa". We salute you. Nelson. by B. Hector Form 4 I LOVE THIS GAME Cricket can be frustrating at all levels.Take for instance the semi-final of the World Cup nearly four years ago, where South Africa's fate was sealed not by England, but by rain. Cricket practice can be just as bad. I am happy when I arrive at the pitch. Today I want to mean business. I know that I must be disciplined, but after a tedious day at school I just feel like taking out my pent-up energy on an unsuspecting batsman - offstump would be fine. The practice settles into the usual rhythm of fumbles, good balls, bad balls, wides, wickets, ovethrows, over tbe boundaries and sarcastic taunts.The ball is thumped into the turf and I casually pick it up, my heart still thumping in my throat as if I've just swallowed a live Kearsney Chronicle 1995 41
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