South Africa a "vibrant democracy"??

What this story does not tell you is the immense tide of black on white crime that has surged since 1990. White farmers have been run off of their land, murdered, raped and totrured by blacks. The blacks then failed to produce crops or maintain the property as it once was, resulting in increased hunger, placing more burden on the government.

The people that ended the apartide thought they were being just, but they only thrust their country into violence and chaos.

Good spin job MSNBC.

A great man who made our world a better place. I am happy to have lived at the same as this great man!

This article is a complete fabrication. Some of our relatives work for large comglomerates and live and work in South Africa. The people live with body guards in their employee and have high fences and armed guards with machineguns patroling their neighborhood. This so called democratic gov. has stolen the place blind. And the worst is the roving gangs of men who have been told that the only way to get rid of aids is to have sex with a virgin by the witch doctors who tell them the whitemans medicine is poison. There is no women safe from rape not even the little girls. msnbc you and your progressive pals have lied again.

Thanks Machinehead, Ashlon......., 100% correct. More liberal ies.

After Mandela and his crew took over the blood flowed like water. SA is beyond ruin. A totally destroyed nation. Genocide left and right, as well, monumental corruption, lead by both Mandela's, the entire ANC, Zuma, Hattala and others. Murder, rape, torture, endless filth, ruination, disease and more corruption mark the 20th anniversary.

This IS what these people are inherently all about.

"Murder, rape, torture, endless filth, ruination, disease and more corruption..."

Let me get this straight, are you trying to insinuate that during apartheid that millions of people weren't murdered, raped, tortured, and didn't live in endless filth and disease. The white Afrikaans did all that to the indigenous people under the guise of making their lives seem above reproach. What is the karma for over a century and a half of treating people like cattle.

It was great while you treated the black indigenous south African like filth, as long as you whites lived in your lovely suburbs. You can pretend that murder, hate, rape and torture are not intrinsic to the white colonization way of live, but WE know better. You rape, you kill, you pillage, you set up your colonies, you treat the native indigenous people like dirt and then when they try to rise up you point the people and write this one sided garbage.

It has happened all over the world. The white man's burden indeed. The blood only is important when Karma and retribution come your way.

Exhibits:

Colonization of the Africas by the White man (Utter and complete murder, pillaging, slavery, and millions dead). The fallout is what you are dealing with now.

Colonization of the Americas. Where are the indigenous people? On reservations?! Treated like dirt. I won't even waste my writing skills to touch on this. But I will tell you of the filthy disease of the white man that killed off over a third of the indigenous people on the americas. Polio, the "black death", the white man didn't even know to wash his hands or not to leave a dead body in the room.

Australia.

India.

Asia.

Each of these places could write volumes on the wave of destruction the white man has left in his need to rule and conquer.

And you write, "Murder, rape, torture, endless flight, disease, corruption are what these people are inherently about". Oh, but I agree, the white man's need to control is like a locust in a field of untouched corn. What is left behind? Who has to deal with the clean up? This is rhetorical, I know the answer.

I praise Mandela, and I believe that south africa is going through the pains of centuries of white man rule and the clean up, which will not be easy for anyone. But much better than white man's rule and apartheid which only favored the white elite and no one else.

It also marks 20 years of the demise of South Africa: the economy stinks, AIDS is a major plague and spreading because of gross irresponsibility and moronic notions about its cause, crime is rampant, corruption endemic, violence and rape abound, those of European descent have left in droves. In fact, South Africa is following in the footsteps of the rest of "successful" nation states of Africa. It will soon be the duty of the developed world to save South Africans from their misfortune with an infusion of trillions of dollars.

Mandela is the best. He is an exapmle to us all. The entire world should be celebrating!

http://graciouslivingdaybyday.com/

South Africa is probably the best example today of who the real racists in this world are...Blacks!!

My responses are in bold.

That statement is the most divorced from reality that I've ever seen!

Reality is subjective. The idea that one race benefited while leaving the rest in abject turmoil is staggering that you can't or won't admit. I believe it to be a mental disease. I believe it to be a profound issue that most whites simply can't or won't admit. The millions, no, let's make it BILLION that have suffered, were murdered, raped, enslaved for the benefit of the white man's rule. Touch on it, expound it, but at least acknowledge the deaths in the millions, CENTURIES of enslavement, throwing innocent people in prison for up to twenty and thirty years simply for fighting for equal rights?!

Are you insane? What planet do you live on? Your idea of progress is quite different from mine. I will address your nonsense below:

You have touched on the standard leftist excuse for the poverty of Africa and much of the third world: "their resources have been robbed by the west",

You're wrong! Here's a few reasons why:

1. The west did not steal the resources from African countries. The corrupt African leaders have always, and continue to work out deals with the west to sell these resources at low prices, then hoarded all of the profits for themselves, so that while they live in palaces like Mugabe, the people live in squalor.

What? How do people get away with revisionist lies is beyond me. The west DID steal resources from African countries, and when the WHITE MAN colonized (a point in history you seem to conveniently miss), they imported to other colonies, shipped people, traded commerce, instigated fights, haphazardly created divisions of land to create tribal warfare that didn't have to be. Most of the wars and fights in africa is over resources, which if you follow the line far enough will go back to EUROPEAN rule.

2. Even putting aside the issue of resources, African countries that were once colonies of European powers went into rapid decay after the withdrawal of the Europeans. Though colonization is often used as an excuse for African poverty, the benefits of colonization were far more numerous than most realize. Roads, railroads, pipelines, communication lines, water and sanitation systems, factories and government infrastructure were all in place thanks to colonization. All that was needed was to keep the system operating and the people would have lifestyles similar to that of westerners. However, these systems quickly deteriorated into the violence, filth, chaos, and dysfunction we see today.

What a convenient and small minded analysis! You do realize africa has one of the longest civilizations in the world. They managed to survive, eat, socialize and maintain themselves for thousands of years. The white man brought in his diseases, western corruption, tried to "westernize" the world well people are socially and culturally different, westernization or colonization are not necessarily the best ways for "people of the earth". You think it is better, but maybe, just maybe you are wrong. I think what will happen is a hybrid of both worlds, will you will have to realize that your idea of "progress" is not necessarily the best way for all people.

Look at the Native American, they are most peaceful honoring mother earth, living peaceful simplistic lives. Should they imitate the "white man" and have him build infrastructures that benefited them the most? Meditate on that for a bit.

And of course, the infrastructures built by the white man to fit a white man's idea of progress and success will not work perfectly under the rule of other people. That is NEVER the case with any indigenous people that have had to rid themselves of the "white man's rule.

And when "you" leave you hand over power to indigenous people trained by you, with your same level of corruption, schooled on your same twisted values. Africans have been sustaining themselves for thousands of years without interruption from the white man. Now all of sudden you want to paint them as heathens, that can't farm, or care for each other without help from the white man's creativity? A good portion of which was stolen from others.

Make no mistake, Africa and Africans are the first people and they will be the last, while you build your skyscrapers to touch the moon, they will watch you fall with amusement.

Africa is NOT poor because because of exploitation, it is poor, it seems, because it is populated by Africans.

First, Africa is NOT POOR. The poverty it is facing is because of exploitation, pillaging, enslavement, corruption, bottom feeders of European rule that has sliced it, diced it, and tried to sell it to the highest bidder. But poor, not by a long shot. The riches and natural resources sustain the rest of the world. If Africa fell off the planet tomorrow, so too, would the rest of the world. Try again with the poor ideaology. That too is subjective depending on your qualifiers.

The world is cyclic. When the European was leaving in caves, had depleted its our resources, killed over 1/3 of his people with the plague and black death, they had no choice but to go other places in the world.

Make no mistake, African and people of African are some of the greatest, most intelligent, creative, strong people you will ever meet in your life. The white man has tried to conquer the African from slavery to colonization to disease, corruption and the like, but the worst thing you can do is underestimate an Africa and the war is far from over, the cycle is not yet complete. The white man is dying out, but remember the African will always be here, and we will survive whatever crisis there that society and "the white man's rule" will try to bring.

And one has to ask the question, why European need to be with African on their land, importing their people to their colonies, living beside them to try and rule? I think if you examine the answer to this question honestly, you will realize why those who destroy their own land, resources, must try to go to other people's property, lands, and way of life, and rule it.

My analogy:

You have a house. However, you destroy your house, it is no longer sufficient for your needs. Instead of rebuilding your house, you go to the house across the street, you kill the husband, the sons, you rape the mother and daughter and you proceed to tear the house up and make it like your house across the street, which were quite different. You replace the culture of that house with the way you lived in your previous home and you go to your brother's home and ask for help. You take no account of the sister or mother, you don't care because it is all about you. You take no account of the peaceful life they lived before you came because it is all about you. You don't even take into account your failures or your savagery because it is all about you.

YOU can't deal with the savagery and fall out of the white man's rule, because it is all about you.

Read Machinehead, #1, although his name leaves something to be desired his information is correct. You will never read a deleterious story about SA in the mainstream media as it does not wish to detract from the "success" of the country; but like most black ruled countries in Africia the AIDS rate is sky high, their economic conditions are horrible, the leadership (like our Congress) is corrupt, and their educational systems a disaster. Many Africian countries even refuse to accept gain from the US and UN as they think it has been irradiated to make the consumers sterile. The white man is blamed for all their problems, but colonialism ended for most of them after WWII, over 50 years ago and they are worst off now then under colonial rule. Compare them with South Korea which came out of Japanese rule at the same time. Why the difference? "The truth shall set you free."

There is no sense arguing with those who ignore the evil of apartheid (in South Africa), slavery and Jim Crow (in the US), Holocaust (Nazi Germany), the purge (Stalin's USSR),.... You cannot argue with 'stupid and maniac' - remember the believers of "death panels", "birthers, ...

South Africa will overcome its problems and become a land where people continue to live without hatred and institutionalized segregation like your ols USA. Mandela has done well for his people, "black", "colored", "white" and "Indian".

Look what a smoldering sh*t hole south africa has become.That's really something to celebrate.

ma@!$%#head: You are confusing Zimbabwe with South Africa and Mugabe with Mandela.

Like if wasn't bad enough that we kept Mandela until July 2008 in our terrorist list.

No doubt, Mandela is a hero to his people. But didn't his wife kill a 14 year old activist black boy, Stompie Moeketsi by tying him to a tire and setting him and the tire on fire? Just asking. And who will come along to free the whites that are allowing themselves to be vilified all over the world? Just wondering.

I have (white) friends in Pretoria and have visited them twice. There are problems, serious problems, in South Africa for sure. My friends, all at least fifth generation South Africans, are working to continue to improve the country, its economy, race relations, and its business climate. They work as accountant, dentist, banker, stock and currency trader, college professor, and in logistics for mining and energy firms. They are part of the solution and refuse to be part of a continuing problem because they fully intend to continue to raise their children in their country. They and their friends all say Mandela showed them what forgiveness is all about. Madiba demonstrated Christian forgiveness in a way rarely seen in this contentious world.

I pray they are successful. While there I met also with businesspeople (bankers and businessmen) of Zulu and Xhosa origin who were working hand-in-hand with the Afrikaaners to bring this country to full first-world status. One of their major problems is trying to absorb refugees from the failed state of Zimbabwe (NOT to be confused with the Republic of South Africa) and also from Mozambique.

The negative posts seen here are unbelievably hateful. Most don't seem to realize that South Africa's most recent problem stems from the near-total ruin of the world economy by greedy "bankers" in New York, London, and a few other places. When the USA caught the flu the developing world got pneumonia. My guess is that none of these hateful posters have ever been to the places they are claiming to have "expert" opinions on.

When the World Cup for soccer is held in South Africa this summer I hope they show the world how far they have come in spite of enormous difficulties. They have definitely made more progress in race relations and economic development since 1994 (until 2010) than my native Mississippi and neighboring states made in an equal time period (1964-65 until 1980-81) when we were in our own post-apartheid period. I wonder where we would be if we had employed racial reconciliation and forgiveness rather than begrudging accomodation?

Had I not encountered a health problem which needed immediate attention and if the multi-national corporations hadn't dampened hopes and dreams for almost all of us I would be looking forward to living in South Africa six months a year. The local food is great, the scenery is magnificent (SA is continuing to establish national parks and preserve natural wonders), the wildlife is truly astounding, and the people are gracious and forward-looking. May God bless them!

As I heard it, it was Winnie Mandela who burned people alive, which is the reason why Nelson divorced her.

But PLEASE, can we stop hearing about how the white man stole America from the natives? Those same natives were the only people who ever drove back the Vikings, during the Dark Ages...but when the Renaissance men showed up, the Native Americans were fighting renaissance technology with stone age weapons. They had come from Mongolia anyway, so they were not really Native Americans any more than we are.

The social and economic gains achieved have been astounding.

I believe they have used Zimbabwe as a model.

"S. Africa cheers 2 decades of Mandela’s freedom"

Might as well cheer for somebodies freedom.

bottom line:

South Africa and Rhodesia were the only viable countries on the continent, until the white governments were overthrown. now there are none!!

Why in the world is that racist, Megan? I said that the Native Americans drove back the Vikings when the weapons were equal. The Vikings came from Scandinavia and were about as white as they come. And what's wrong with saying that the Native Americans actually came from Mongolia? If you are thinking that "Mongolia" has something to do with "Mongolian idiot"...well, I can assure you that Genghis Khan's enemies only wish he had been one! The Mongolians were great fighting men too.

Racism is NOT a creation of the white man. That in itself is a racist statement. Hmm, maybe it's catching like the flu.

Racism is a creation of tribalism and has nothing to do with skin color. Africans preyed ruthlessly on themselves long before the 'white man' came. White men enslaved other white men long before blacks were around. Won't even get into how asians and indians slaughtered themselves.

What people like Mandela and MLK never quite had enough education (in history) to understand is that they weren't fighting about skin color, they were fighting for the 'good' in humanity against the 'bad' in humanity (though MLK did try to impart the concept of color blindness which was unfortunately completely lost on all his followers).

What is the most essential danger now is from people who feel they are 'owed' an infinite payment from 'others' because of some of their recent history before they were even born. This is dangerous because they pass down the sense of blame and hatred of others to their children rather than an appreciation and valuation of self-worth, independence and opportunity, not to mention an understanding that how you view the world is perception only. Life is and always has been not fair and it doesn't matter what race or color you are. Thereafter, their children are left with nothing of themselves except a muttering about whose fault it is for how they feel and how they act and no personal responsibility. It only takes a few generations of teaching such defeatist attitudes to complete disassociate and destroy any culture.

Well, I guess all is well in South Africa now. The bad guys have been defeated. It's a utopia ... right? Is everyone ready to take a vacation in this paradise.

Are we ever going to get the truth from the media? Mandela is not even a S. African he was a migrant terrorist from up North. He was completely opposed by the indigenous blacks in S. Africa and that upset him and his wife enough for them to target and kill those blacks that opposed him. He was elected and destroyed one of the most prosperous countries in the world. I just wish the media would report the truth and I know the truth hurts sometimes but yet when someone tells me I am screwing up in a truthful way I end up being very appreciative!

who cares..?? what has he done to earn this kind of status here in the US? hwood must be making another movie.  good luck to them in SA, they need it.