Fatima Meer Takes On The ANC In Front Of Mandela

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My Graduation Ceremony Rocked. It did, really. Not because I was the one and only important person in the world graduating but because one Nelson Mandela and Another Fatima Meer both attended the ceremony. Mandela was present because his Grandson was graduating so that was cool, chilled, didn't say much. Meer was there receiving an honourary doctorate in literature from Rhodes University.Let me give you some background of Meer before I go ahead with the controversial and stinging speech that was read on her behalf on Friday.

Fatima Meer (28 August 1928 - ) is a South African writer and academic, a screenwriter, and was a prominent anti-apartheid activist.

There is much more information available on Meer at Wikipedia.Now not only were these two icons present at my graduation ceremony but Fatima Meer took the opportunity to make an unbelievable speech in the presence of the ANC's biggest historical figure and advocate, Mr Nelson Mandela. Meer is not well. In fact she has a nurse looking after her 24/7 these days. She had enough energy to greet the congregation present and introduce her granddaughter to speak on her behalf. I cannot remember everything that Meer said in the speech but will try to remember some key points or statements that were made.She began her speech by doing the usual, thanking those present and Rhodes for having her and awarding her with the doctorate. That was it for the formalities. The Granddaughter then proceeded to read a scathing account of her grandmothers thoughts. Meer believes that a socialist uprising is coming. She believes that the people are on the verge of taking back their country and that it is the ANC that the people will be taking back from. She noted that in her opinion the Neo-Capitalist regime that the ANC has instilled in this country needs to and will soon come to an end. Meer further pushed the need for the ANC to reconnect with its people and get off the gravy train. She had much positive to say about South Africa and the people within this country, but she had nothing, absolutely nothing good to say about the ANC.That is the gist of what I can remember about the speech, I was gobsmacked and astounded at the guts of Meer herself and her granddaughter; getting up in front of Mandela and saying all of these things and more. In case you are wondering how Mandela reacted, you will not be shocked or surprised to know that he stood (with great physical difficulty I might add) applauded Meers speech and shook her hand. He never ceases to amaze me.Further thought leads me to wonder about the statement that he was making by not reacting and "endorsing" the speech with his silence? Is he perhaps agreeing with Meer? Is he perhaps stating that the ANC as it stands right now is not what Mandela fought for for so long? I am not sure what he was trying to say but in his presence I must admit, he can say anything he wants and it seems to be so incredibly phenomenal.Keep a look out for Meers speech in case it gets posted, I'll see what I can do in terms of audio or text versions of the speech. Read Fatima Meers book about Nelson Mandela. It should be a ripper: MEER, FatimaHigher Than Hope: The Authorized Biography of Nelson Mandela

Graduation Ceremony - Well Overdue

As Groogle has just blogged: It is Grad time, finally, eventually! Groogle is a year up on me but hey, at least I get a degree, how many people can say that? OK, maybe a few, but nevertheless, I am Graduating.I never thought I'd say this and I am sure there are others feeling the same way, but I really can't afford to have a two day week. Such is life. Everyone needs to step away from it all sometime. It's my time.I will be away from the internet for a few days, I might get on here and there but check out my flickr account to keep up with me. Don't check out my twitter, I wont be updating it, that is for sure!