The Burger and Beeld contend: This dialogue initiative brings a fresh breeze of hope for South Africa. The Joint Declaration that was signed over the weekend between a cross-section of Afrikaner organisations and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, is a fresh breeze of hope in difficult times. It declares that Afrikaners want to work with other communities to make available their skills regarding infrastructure to assist to prevent the collapse of municipalities. There is a willingness to understand the reasons for the sense of alienation felt between the government and communities, also the Afrikaner community. This must be overcome and must heal the pain of the conflicts of the past. Since the Nelson Mandela era of reconciliation and nation-building, dialogue has stopped, ironically also in the Thabo Mbeki era. It leads to a growing distance and negative perceptions between communities. Most of these perceptions are totally misplaced. Beeld newspaper has pleaded over the years that dialogue and inclusive cooperation are the only way forward if the country wants to be placed on the road to success. It is also of significance that Afrikaner organisations, who do differ, could put their differences aside for the greater good. In South Africa, with its history of conflict and mistrust, the continued dialogue will have to become part of our way of life. And this should result in cooperation so that service delivery and economic growth can be achieved. It is also a welcome development that the approach of this Initiative is not to leave the country in the hands of the ANC government. Credible roleplayers from different communities in civil society are taking hands and declaring what they will be doing. Two important pronouncements have been made over the weekend that are already of historic significance. Flip Buys, Chairperson of the Solidarity Movement, says: “We do not want to remain on the sidelines, and look after our own interests. We want to empower and want to do our part to take the country and all its people forward. “ And dr Vincent Maphai on behalf of the TMF: “We don’t want you to go anywhere else. We need you to help rebuild our country.”
Editorial Comment by the Beeld and Burger
