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Solomon Michaux

November 07, 1884 to October 20, 1968

Notable Events

  • Founded the Gospel Spreading is Church of God
  • Hosted gospel radio show “Happiness Hour”
  • Coordinate with FBI to undermine Martin Luther King
  • Erected a monument for Negro Progress
  • Secured federally subsides housing called Mayfair Mansions
  • Credited for song “Happy Am I”
  • Pioneer in television and radio ministry
  • Real Estate Mogul
  • First Preacher to have his own TV show

Solomon Michaux was born in Newport News on November 7, 1884. His father owned a grocery that young Solomon would work in his younger years. Luckily, Solomon inherited his father’s business savvy and in 1906 he was able to land a government contract to supply the local defense department with groceries.

With the success from his early business venture, he was able to move him and his young wife Mary Eliza to Hopewell, VA. There he and a colleague founded Everybody’s Mission in 1917. The mission was affiliated with the Church of Christ which ordained him. Those tent revivals proved Michaux’s ability as an evangelist.

In 1919, Michaux founded the Gospel Spreading Church of God. This stout bible believing church that thought segregation had no place in the house of the lord. In 1929, Michaux and other congregants were arrested for having an integrated church service. After a short stint in jail Michaux was released with more religious zeal than ever. He went on to found seven more churches.

The revivals of the Church of God were mostly integrated. Michaux was one of the most popular preachers in the country. One revival in Berlin, PA was attended by 10,000 white men. The Washington Evening Star referred to him as a national power. He even packed DC’s Major League Baseball Stadium in 1951. So in many ways he was a pioneer in integration of worship.

Michaux’s business acumen was not satisfied with spreading the gospel. He embarked on a massive real estate venture in Virginia in 1936. At its peak, it encompassed 1,100 acres in a farmers co-op. The goal was to create cooperative complex that would have hundreds of five-acre farms black people could buy. It would be a stand-alone municipality with administration buildings, museums, schools, and entertainment. A monument to the Negro’s loyalty to the white man would be at the entrance. The project was never fully successful, but black farmers operated a few of the farms until early 2000.

His prominence as a church founder lead opportunities to spread the “good news” in many different forms. WJSV of Alexandria Va broadcast a gospel show “Happiness Hour” with Michaux as the host. The show was so successful it expanded to 50 CBS affiliates. His ultimate gospel broadcasting was a television show on the DuMont Television Network from 1947 to 1949. It was one of the first broadcasts hosted by a black man.

Michaux’s show was known for the jazzy gospel tunes such as “Happy Am I”. The show was upbeat and designed to improve the mood of a person going through hardship. A person was to serve G-d through being happy no matter what their circumstances.

A patriotic conservative pro-establishment theology undergrided Michaux’s show and preaching style. As a result of the conservative ideology Michaux came to oppose the March on Washington in 1963 and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. He also lauded FBI director J. Edgar Hoover as a soldier of G-d. Martin Luther King was accused of being godless and a Communist stooge. G-d ordained the current order and man should not interfere with the divine order.

The “Happiness Hour” was popular in black America. However, blacks began to sour on Michaux after two public stunts. The first was an open letter 1964 lauding Hoover and demonizing King. In traditional fashion,Michaux defends the current order and those, like Hoover, work to preserve it. In the letter, Michaux praises the FBI’s work to find perpetrators of violence toward blacks and whites. King is characterized as a rabble-rouser causing more harm than good. Most of the black press defended King against Michaux and he began to loose popularity.

The last straw was Michaux’s protest against the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1965. The Baltimore conference was protested by more than 100 Church of G-d members. Black America viewed this protest as largely staged and saw Michaux as a puppet.

Washington, DC owes much of its history to Solomon Michaux. In addition, to owning the “Happy Times” restaurant, he was instrumental in the founding of Mayfair Mansions. This housing development was the only Federally subsidized middle-class housing development in the country. Opening in 1946 , Mayfair Mansions was declared a National Historic Site in 1989.

A stroke claimed Michaux’s life in 1968. Three thousand people attended his funeral. He was loved regionally in the DC area. But nationally he was seen as a sell-out. As the late 1960s made black liberation more militant and conservative preachers were seen as race traitors. Eventually, Michaux faded into obscurity.

Due to a freedom of information act request in 2017, it was discovered that Michaux was part of a FBI program to influence clergy. The landmark work of Lerone Martin was first published in Religion and Politics Fit for Polite Company and Religion and American Culture details Michaux’s role in the FBI plot. The story was also reported in the New York Times and Kolumn Magazine. These articles brought Michaux’s name back from obscurity.

The FBI realized religion is an important tool in social justice. Therefore, those that promoted a theology that supported the status quo needed to be promoted. The Bureau commission clergymen of many faiths and races to promote a conservative political agenda. Solomon Michaux was one of those pastors. His ability at evangelizing through television and radio made him a stand-out. His blackness validated the conservative theology in a way a white pastor could not. The fact a black man agreed that no social movement or change is needed meant that his life and social circle nobody was suffering.

Now it is important to realize Michaux actually was a conservative Christian. His theology before he began working for the bureau in 1939 was also conservative. He believed the Bible did not sanction segregation or discrimination. However, the black man as a group does exist at a lower state. Slavery was one mechanism to civilize black people and bring them up to par with with whites. Segregation and current discrimination was just part of that process. Because Michaux had this philosophy the Bureau recruited him for collaboration.

In Michaux’s theology, the races will only integrate with Jesus comes into the heart of all individuals. The primary unit of social change is the individual. So any attempts to force change on people was outside the will of G-d. All movements for social change including the Civil Rights Movement could only be led by godless communist.

Analysis

To call Michaux a sell-out or Uncle Tom would be too easy. In Spiral Dynamics terminology, he is a Blue Meme Upper Left Reductionist. He sees the entire problem of segregation stemming from individual moral failings. King took a four quadrants approach. Upper Left represented by his spiritual growth. Upper Right represented by Nonviolent Direct Action. Lower Left represented by the foundations and philosophy of the various organizations started by King. The Lower Left represented by the left-wing policies he pursued.

Another difference between King and Michaux was what they believed caused the present racial hierarchy. King believed the present racial hierarchy was the result of the “fall of man”. Michaux saw it as a result of G-d’s divine providence. So both men saw integration as an positive end, but Michaux believed the current situation was needed to develop black people.

Key Take-Aways

Christianity like all other religions is neutral in the fight for social justice. What makes a religion a force in the fight is the way it is interpreted. Giving spiritual leaders a proper political education and political leaders a proper spiritual education is key in proper leadership. The two fields can’t be separated. The general public must understand how all these elements factor into their ability to obtain freedom.

Sources

  1. https://www.thechurchofgodatwilliamsburg.org/eldermichaux.htm
  2. https://www.encyclopedia.com/african-american-focus/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/michaux-solomon-lightfoot
  3. https://blackpast.org/aah/michaux-elder-solomon-lightfoot-c-1885-1968
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/us/black-evangelist-elder-michaux-opposed-dr-king.html
  5. https://religionandpolitics.org/2018/04/03/new-documents-reveal-how-the-fbi-deployed-a-televangelist-to-discredit-martin-luther-king/
  6. http://www.kolumnmagazine.com/2018/04/05/black-evangelist-opposed-dr-king-new-york-times/
  7. “Bereau Clergyman: How the FBI Colluded with and African American Televangelist to Destroy Martin Luther King” by Lerone Martin Religion and American Culture Winter 2018 Cambridge University Press
  8. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mlks-speech-attracted-fbis-intense-attention/2013/08/27/31c8ebd4-0f60-11e3-8cdd-bcdc09410972_story.html?utm_term=.667499fc9dde
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The Measure of a Man

The book The Measure of a Man is summary of lectures given at the at the 1958 Conference of Christian Education. Those that attended the event loved what Dr. King had to say so much that they asked him to create the book.

King starts by fundamentally defining what a man is. Man, in his analysis, is both physical and spiritual. Individuals must cultivate both natures. Deplores those that see man as merely an animal. In this camp he puts, naturalist, materialist, and Marxist. The other camp he considers fundamentally Greek. Plato believed the soul must liberate itself from the body to fully develop. Jesus said man could not live on bread alone. The biblical quote supports the idea that the physical (bread) is needed in conjunction with other elements.

An explanation of how man is inherently a sinner follows. Man having a dual nature can choose good or evil. He knows what is right and chooses to do evil in spite of this knowledge. Because man chooses evil, he loses some of the image of G-d. To redeem himself, he needs the grace of G-d.

Many theologians lose site of man being a sinner because they see man as naturally progressing to a higher state. Depth psychology tries to confuse the issue as a conflict between phobia and desire. Ultimately, there is little real evidence of either view. Man chooses to do wrong.

King also has an interesting take on Western Civilization. He sees Western Civilization as rooted in egalitarianism and humanitarianism. The current manifestations of colonialism, segregation, and oppression is a diversion from these values. The mission of King is to return Western Civilization to its values.

The factors of a great life are length, breadth, and height. By length, King means not a life with a long duration, but one in which a person reaches a multitude of goals. For a life of longevity one must have self-love and strive to perfect a craft. King’s definition of breadth is a concern for fellow man and actively moving to improve the lot of others. Height is the connection to G-d and spiritual development. If one of these elements are missing our life is headed for folly.

This book shows King wasn’t a Democrat, Republican, Marxist, or Capitalist, but a Christian. Christianity was the root of all Dr. King’s philosophy and action. Many internet commentaries attempt to downplay King’s Christianity or deny he was Christian. A small sample of his writing would prove otherwise.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Library

This is a list of summaries of books written by MLK.

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Conflict

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Resolution

Stride Toward Freedom: Philosophy

The Measure of a Man

Strength to Love

Why We Can’t Wait: Philosophy

Why We Can’t Wait: History

All Labor Has Dignity

Where Do We Go From Here?: Black Power

Where Do We Go From Here?: America Now and Later

Trumpet of Conscience

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Mmusi Maimane (1980- )

Accomplishment

  • Current Leader of Democratic Alliance (DA)
  • First Black Man to be elected DA Parliamentary Leader 2014 -2015
  • DA Deputy Federal Chair 2012 -2014
  • 2011 Johannesburg Mayoral candidate
  • Masters degree in Theology from Bangor University UK
  • Masters degree in Public and Development Management at the University of the Witwatersrand
  • Founded a Business Consulting Firm
  • Pastor and Elder at Liberty Church

Biography

Mmusi Maimane was born June 5, 1980, in Dobsonville, Soweto eldest of four siblings. His father, Simon, is of Tswana ethnicity and his mother, Ethel, is Xhosa, which is the same ethnicity as Nelson Mandela. He grew up speaking Xhosa.

One of the most interesting things about Maimane is that his wife is white. He and Natalie met at church and were able to connect because they had similar values. Maimane says that to say they did not notice race would be ingenuine. However, their bond transcends race. They were married in 2005. His daughter was born in 2011 and son in 2013.

In an interview, Maimane says that his wife as a beautiful heart and a passion for South Africa. Natalie Maimane told an Afrikaner report that she and her husband were best friends. Her husband’s speeches inspire her. She also says she loves his corny sense of humor, fashion sense, and the fact he is “hot.”

He has two children both by Natalie. He says race is a unique thing in his house. He says his daughter sees herself and Maimane as the same color and his son and wife as the same color. That is how her mind views race. Maimane says that he tries to expose his children to people from all walks of life. He takes his eldest daughter with him when visiting townships. He also makes strides to ensure his kids learn about their African heritage.

Many of Maimane’s political opponents use his interracial marriage to question his commitment to the race. Maimane says this is one of the biggest problems in his marriage. However, to the people that love them, they are simply a couple in love.

Liberty Church currently lists Maimane as a senior elder. The church is non-denominational and has campuses in Tanzania, South Africa, and United Kingdom. The church has an international advisory board that includes people from the USA and New Zealand. The church has a modern worship style and is integrated. The first principle listed on the “What We Believe” section of the website is leadership. The church believes in conservative Christian principles.

Political career

Mmusi Maimane joined the Democratic Alliance in 2009. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is the official opposition party to the ANC. The DA began with a woman named Helen Suzman. Suzman and eleven other leaders broke away from the United Party to form the Progressive Party in 1959. Suzman and the progressive party fought apartheid in Parliament. Over many decades the party absorbed many other anti-apartheid parties that were in Parliament. The DA received 1.7% of the vote in 1994. In 2011 the DA won 25% of the electorate.

The 2011 Johannesburg mayoral election was Maimane’s first testing ground. The ANC had held the position of Johannesburg mayor since the establishment of Democracy. The main issues during the campaign were the improvement of utility billing, ending a sanitation strike, improving roads. The Democratic Alliance employed the use of a flash mob at a Johannesburg mall during the campaign. Flash mobs were a very new phenomenon in 2011 and showed Maimane understood the importance of social media in a campaign. Maimane lost the campaign, but the percentage of the vote that went to the DA increased by 8%. Maimane did win a seat in the Johannesburg city council. He served on the Finance Committee and the Governance Committee.

Due to formidable showing in the 2011 Johannesburg mayoral race Helen Zille, leader of the DA made Maimane national spokesman. In 2012, he won a DA Deputy Federal Chair in a race against eight other DA members. There are three Deputy Federal Chair positions in the DA party.

In 2014 he ran to become Premier of Gauteng. Premier is a legislative position that serves as the head of a province in Parliament’s upper house. Maimane used social media and leaflets to get his message to the voters. Maimane also used a television advertisement entitled “Ayisafani.” In the advert, Maimane claimed the ANC was no longer the revolutionary party it once was. There was no mention of violence in the advert. The ANC controlled South African Broadcast Channel banned the advert on the grounds it incited violence. The DA filed a formal complaint. After a week of deliberation, the SABC aired the advert.

Even though the DA grew their share of the vote by 7%, the ANC held firm, and Maimane lost. Never discouraged, Maimane joins the National Assembly. The DA parliamentary caucus elected him Leader of the Opposition. The position is analogous to the American House Minority Leader.

In 2015, after eight years at the helm, Helen Zille decided not to seek re-election as Democratic Alliance leader. Maimane ran against three other candidates and won.

Helen Zille Controversy

In 2017 Helen Zille caused the DA much embarrassment with the following tweet.

“For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative, think of our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure, piped water,”

Many critics assumed she meant that colonialism and apartheid were necessary to “develop” Africa. If the intention were to defend colonialism, Zille would be supporting a racist legacy that RSA has been attempting to undermine. The DA particularly did not want this tweet to tarnish their reputation as a non-racial party.

Zille the current Premier of Western Cape and former anti-apartheid activist explained this was not her intention. The controversial tweet was one of a series of tweets about her trip to Singapore. Singapore is also a former British colony. From her studies, she concluded Singapore was able to transition from colony to an economic superpower because they were able to adapt British bureaucratic style and economic philosophy to suit their needs. She was attempting to make a case for RSA viewing the totality of its colonial history. If a person could see they ways being influenced by British culture connects them with the rest of the world and the international economy, practical strategies can be created and employed to improve life in RSA.

Maimane publicly denounced her tweets as racist. He requested that she formally apologize to RSA and the DA. Zille refused because she felt she did nothing wrong. Maimane then pushed to expedite her hearing to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

At the same time Maimane denounced Zille’s tweets as racist, he reminded RSA that she had been a force for good in RSA for the majority of her career. She was at the forefront of the building of the DA. Her tweets are not representative of her totality as a leader.

After the hearing in June of 2017, Helen Zille formally apologized to RSA and the DA. She had to relinquish voting rights in the DA only communicate through proper DA channels on issues with her province the Western Cape. She was able to keep her premiership.

READ THE ENTIRE SERIES HERE

Sources

YouTube Playlist SD M Maimane and SD Hellen Zille

  1. Mmusi Maimane – a personal profile http://www.enca.com
  2. Mmusi Maimane http://whoswho.co.za
  3. SOUTH AFRICA: Mmusi Maimane Biography And Profile http://politicoscope.com
  4. People Are Very Interested In Mmusi Maimane’s White Wife http://www.2oceansvibe.com
  5. Picture of the day: Mmusi Maimane and his wife celebrate 11 years of marriage http://www.sowetanlive.co.za
  6. Mmusi Maimane Donates to Fund for Heartbroken Dad Who Lost Child and Wife to Knysna Fire http://www.sapeople.com/2017/06/12/mmusi-maimane-donates-fund-heartbroken-dad-lost-child-wife-knysna-fire/
  7. Mmusi Maimane and wife talks to us by S. Kamnqa in DRUM
  8. Analysts Follow South Africa’s Latest Political Star Mmusi Maimane by P. Granitz http://www.npr.org
  9. 2011 elections: Johannesburg results http://www.politicsweb.co.za
  10. DA show new face with Black Leaders The Witness 11-26-12
  11. Stepping Up The Sunday Independent 11-25-2012
  12. Mmusi Maimane http://www.gutenburg.us
  13. Republic of South Africa election results lookup http://www.electionresources.org
  14. Maimane elected new Democratc Alliance Leader http://www.news24.com
  15. Outrage over Helen Zille Colonialism Tweets http://www.aljeezra.com
  16. The Potential That is in Africa YouTube
  17. Session 5 Mmusi Maimane Planetshaker
  18. Talk to Al Jeezra – Mmusi Maimane “Fighting a System, not a Race
  19. [Full Speech] The ANC is Dead. Long Live South Africa – Mmusi Maimane
  20. DA Mmusi Maimane Hitting Back at Jacob Zuma | SONA 2017
  21. Mmusi Maimane full speech: ANC Enemy of the People
  22. Mmusi Maimane 2017 SONA debate
  23. Natalie Maimane – nie net ‘n gewone huisvrou nie
  24. ‘n Halfuur met Hanlie | Mmusi Maimane en sy Natalie praat oor hul verhouding
  25. We Talk Ties and Socks with DA Leader, Mmusi Miamane
  26. Dinner Talk – Mmusi Maimane
  27. Watchmen on the Wall, exclusive interview with newly-elected DA Leader Mmusi Maimane
  28. Mmusi Maimane implying gays and muslims are sinners
  29. Mmusi Maimane on his church, gay rights
  30. Know Your DA The Story of the Democratic Alliance 1
  31. Wacth Maimane’s Full Speech calling for the impeachment of Zuma
  32. Jacob Zuma is a puppet to the Guptas. DA Mmusi Maimane
  33. Mmusi Maimane, DA mayoral candidate for the city of Johannesburg
  34. Message from Mmusi
  35. Mmusi Maimane on SABC Morning Live 20 – April – 2011
  36. Mmusi’s Flashmob in Maponya Mall
  37. SABC1 Election Debate (10 April 2011) with Mmusi Maimane- Part 1
  38. Who is Mmusi Maimane?
  39. Mmusi Maimane Interview on SAFM
  40. The DA’s version of BEE will deliver real Black Economic Empowerment
  41. Mmusi Maimane speaks on race and identity in South Africa
  42. Mmusi on Race Full Speech
  43. Maimane’s First speech as DA Leader Parts 1 and 2
  44. ANC Ayisafani – DA TV ad
  45. Ayisafani 2 DA TV ad
  46. DA suspends Zille
  47. Maimane and Zille hold joint press conference
  48. Mmusi Maimane on suspending Zille
  49. Maimane on coalitions, Zille and the ANC
  50. Full Tweet disclosure from Helen Zille Part 1,2,3
  51. Hellen Zille in Twitter Storm Discussion
  52. ANN7 viewers react to Zille’s Tweet
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Mmusi Maimane’s Philosophy

The Potential of Africa

Maimane explains in 2015 TED Talk the potential and accomplishments of the African economy. Six of the ten fastest growing economies are in Africa. One of these economies, Botswana, has the fastest growing GDP. Twelve countries in Africa have a GDP growth of over 6%. Trade between Africa and the rest of the world has doubled while foreign debt has decreased by 25%. The potential for Africa’s growth was evidenced by Barack Obama spending R 1 billion in a trip to Kenya.

That is not to say Africa does not have problems, but Maimane believes they are solvable. In Botswana, a comprehensive HIV program has increased the life expectancy by fifteen years. Kenya is becoming the “silicon valley” or “silicon savannah” of Africa. According to Mail and Guardian, the Kenyan tech sector has grown from L 11 million to L 300 million from 2012 to 2013. M-Pesa, the Kenyan equivalent to PayPal, is growing like mad. The tech boom was sparked by a government initiative to increase fiber optic cable infrastructure in the country.

Maimane lists a few commonalities in African economic success stories. He creates the following list of principles to build the economy.

  • Educated for the Economy,particularly in the technology sector
  • Hold leaders accountable and cut corruption
  • Support trade especially among Africans by creating a Southern African visa
  • Build Infrastructure

Government and Private Business

The role of government is to build the best environment for private business to thrive. At the same time, government expenditures should be kept to a minimum to allow low taxes that benefit businesses and private individuals. In addition to reducing government waste, a crackdown on corruption will also reduce government expenditures. Maimane will build a small, effective, capable state through the DA.

The current government tender system provides an avenue to decentralize government. If private businesses are allowed to compete to provide services to the government, then the government will not need a large workforce paid for by the taxpayer. Again, reducing corruption in the tender system (equivalent to the American government contract) will reduce cost and time of implementation.

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is a system of racial, economic redress in RSA. It is similar to American Affirmative Action, but it is far more extensive. BEE is a voluntary program. If a company decides to participate, they can earn a BEE certificate that will give the company preference during solicitation for government contracts called tenders. The certification evaluates ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development.
Maimane feels BEE needs to be reformed, as BEE stands now it only benefits a small, well-connected elite. The system must be changed to help poor black South Africans. The reformed program will be called Bokamoso. It will begin with an Employee Share Ownership Schemes which will give employees representation on the board and grow black equity. The second will be to recognize all human development efforts. Thirdly, companies will be rewarded for creating black entrepreneurs. Lastly, companies will be rewarded for growing their workforce. Maimane did mention expanding BEE to include poor whites in a Watchman on the Wall Interview, but it appears the inclusion of poor whites was never made into DA policy.

Changing Perception

The ANC has often billed the DA as the party of white oligarchy. A vote for the DA is a vote for the apartheid past and that all the accomplishments of ending apartheid will be removed. The ANC bills itself as the only wall between black South Africans and subjugation.

Maimane looks to change this perception not by attacking the ANC, but by properly governing of the municipalities and provinces. Helen Zille of the DA currently governs Capetown. She received the 2008 World Mayor Prize. Cape Town boasts the best Water Management system in the world in 2015. Cape Town also has the most reliable electrical grid and largest Mass Transit system in RSA.

Helen Suzman started the DA and was the sole opposition to apartheid in the 1970’s. Suzman made many trips to Robben Island to have discourse with Nelson Mandela. She fought tirelessly to expose the injustice in South Africa. Mandela welcomed her to the table to aid in ratifying the Constitution. Maimane reminds audiences of this history often.

The youth of South Africa present the largest opportunity for DA growth. The young did not grow up revering the ANC and can more rationally evaluate which party can take RSA into the future. Maimane works to present the youth with DA plans and illustrates how the methods will result in real change in their life.

The Notion of Race

In an interview with IOL Maimane was asked about the concept of race. He says not to see his race is not to see him. He understands how systematic oppression has shaped the society in a way that disadvantages black people. He says that people must join a project of reconciliation.

In Maimane’s understanding, reconciliation can not happen with a significant income/wealth disparity. For the races to reconcile the economic playing field must be leveled. If society excludes a black student from achieving his dream because schools in his town are underfunded, he will grow to resent society. Maimane supports programs such as BEE, that give black South Africans a leg up.

The Steve Biko quote of “The greatest weapon of the oppressor is the mindset of the oppressed” is used by Maimane when describing many of the problems with race in South Africa. He wants South Africans to know marrying a white woman does not mean you lose or deny your ancestry. His children are not aware of race and are also not concerned with it. South Africa can learn from his kids. Once we heal ourselves, people will primarily identify with being South African. Ethnicity, sexual orientation, and tribal affiliation will be second.

Zuma and the ANC

Maimane called for the impeachment of Jacob Zuma for corruption in 2016. A reporter from Al Jazeera asked if it was an astute political move. In the interviewer’s estimation, if Maimane calls for impeachment and Zuma is not convicted or tried, then Maimane looks weak. Maimane replied that the call for impeachment was a test to see if the ANC cared more about Zuma or the health of South Africa. ANC decided to defend Zuma, showing RSA that a leader is more important than the country. The National Protector or various other judicial committees can still try Zuma with or without legislative approval. Maimane did expect the ANC to care more about the constitution than Jacob Zuma.

In the speech in which Maimane calls for Zuma’s impeachment, he accuses Zuma of state capture. The first part of state capture was hand picking various law enforcement organization heads to be favorable to him and allowing wealthy friends to influence his decisions. Zuma’s corruption is well known to the international financial community. The corruption then leads to foreign divestment in South Africa, the fall of the Rand, and the downgrade of RSA bonds.

In a speech Maimane gave in 2016, he accused Zuma of being a puppet to the Guptas. He also said that Zuma gave the Guptas permission to use the Air Force Base to land a plane of guest for a wedding. There are no court documents or police reports that can confirm Zuma allowed the plane to land at the Air Force Base. Maimane also accused Zuma of allowing the Guptas to pick the Minister of Mineral Resources, again an accusation not proven in court.

In the eyes of Maimane, the ANC was a great organization during the fight against Apartheid. The ANC produce many leaders that people of all races admire today. However, once the ANC got into power, it partnered with private interest for individual wealth. Maimane quotes Charles Hani. Hani often warned that any liberation movement could become corrupt and forget about the people.

A liberation movement becoming corrupt once in power has happened in Senegal and Kenya. Both countries had opposition political movements that won the election and removed the corrupt party. Once the ANC is out of power, right leaning members will join the DA. The EFF will gain left leaning members. A reduction in corruption will facilitate foreign and domestic investor growth.

The people are starting to realize the ANC is no longer serving them to the fullest. ANC voting has declined 10 % nationally over presidents Zuma’s administration with the removal of Kwa-Zulu-Natal data.

Faith and Politics

Mmusi Maimane is a senior pastor at Liberty Church. The church has an Orthodox Christian theology. In a 2015 sermon, Maimane said: “I want to make friends with sinners. I am a sinner, so I hope people will be my friend. My friends include gays, Muslims, Buddhist, etc.” He also detailed a story of a Christian that went to a gay man’s funeral accidentally due to being given the wrong address. The Christian stands up and reads a bible scripture to console the grieving friends. The gay men thank him for bringing a piece of G-d with him. The point of the sermon was that Christians should leave their “comfort zone” and love everyone. A few in the media misconstrued what he said to mean that he thinks gays and Muslims are sinners.

The controversy did allow for Maimane to clarify his views on LGBT rights. Maimane says as an MP and agent of the government he is to uphold the Constitution. The Constitution expressly stated the rights of LGBT South Africans. However, if a person wants to believe that the practice of homosexuality is against the teachings of the Bible, they have the right to do that. Maimane also says that marriage and civil unions are distinct entities. Maimane never expressed his personal views on homosexuality.

The Christian faith helps Maimane persevere against political opposition. In Parliament, opponents have insulted his wife, read bible scriptures on false prophets, and undermine his authority. Being Christian helps him to forgive and focus on building South Africa’s future. Faith also gave Maimane confidence to venture into politics despite not being connected or wealthy. Maimane believes that G-d has a divine plan for everyone’s life. He feels his political failures and successes are part of this divine plan.

The church provided Maimane and opportunity to hone his speaking and leadership ability at a young age. It also provided Maimane an outlet for community involvement. He hopes that other church leaders find people that could be a part of government from their congregation. Serving in government can be an avenue to serve G-d. Church leaders should encourage parishioners to be involved in government. Many laws impact the church, and the church chooses not to have a voice. The church should also hold government to account, similar to Nathan holding David to account in the bible.

Maimane is chiefly a constitutionalist. He feels the best way to destroy Christianity is to legislate it. Historically, the merger of church and state creates human rights abuses. Keeping church and state separate protects the Gospel and State. This logic leads him to support legislation that would protect the rights of prostitutes rather than fighting to keep prostitution illegal.

Those that view Christianity negatively use the apartheid state as an example of a Christian government. During the years of apartheid, many of the supporters justified the system as part of G-d’s plan. The use of Christianity to justify an immoral system serves as an example of what could happen if church and state merge. Justifying laws with Christianity will prevent the population from changing the laws when needed. When the law does need to change both the law and Christianity will be attacked and weakened.

READ THE ENTIRE SERIES HERE

Sources

All Videos are on YouTube Playlist SD M Maimane

  1. Mmusi Maimane: divine nonsense to say I’m homophobic, anti Muslim http://www.biznews.com
  2. Why Kenya, home to Africa’s ‘Silicon Valley’, is set to be the continent’s ultimate tech hub http://mgafrica.com/
  3. The DA is completely committed to B-BBEE – Mmusi Maimane http://www.politicsweb.co.za
  4. BOKAMOSO | The DA’s version of BEE will deliver real Black Economic Empowerment https://www.da.org.za/
  5. The DA wants to change BEE laws here’s how https://businesstech.co.za
  6. To BEE or not to BEEE? The DA’s dilemma https://mg.co.za/article
  7. The Potential That is in Africa YouTube
  8. Session 5 Mmusi Maimane Planetshaker
  9. Talk to Al Jeezra – Mmusi Maimane “Fighting a System not a Race
  10. [Full Speech] The ANC is Dead. Long Live South Africa – Mmusi Maimane
  11. DA Mmusi Maimane Hitting Back at Jacob Zuma | SONA 2017
  12. Mmusi Maimane full speech: ANC Enemy of the People
  13. Mmusi Maimane 2017 SONA debate
  14. Natalie Maimane – nie net ‘n gewone huisvrou nie
  15. ‘n Halfuur met Hanlie | Mmusi Maimane en sy Natalie praat oor hul verhouding
  16. We Talk Ties and Socks with DA Leader, Mmusi Miamane
  17. Dinner Talk – Mmusi Maimane
  18. Watchmen on the Wall, exclusive interview with newly-elected DA Leader Mmusi Maimane
  19. Mmusi Maimane implying gays and muslims are sinners
  20. Mmusi Maimane on his church, gay rights
  21. Know Your DA The Story of the Democratic Alliance 1
  22. Wacth Maimane’s Full Speech calling for the impeachment of Zuma
  23. Jacob Zuma is a puppet to the Guptas. DA Mmusi Maimane
  24. Mmusi Maimane, DA mayoral candidate for the city of Johannesburg
  25. Message from Mmusi
  26. Mmusi Maimane on SABC Morning Live 20 – April – 2011
  27. Mmusi’s Flashmob in Maponya Mall
  28. SABC1 Election Debate (10 April 2011) with Mmusi Maimane- Part 1
  29. Who is Mmusi Maimane?
  30. Mmusi Maimane Interview on SAFM
  31. The DA’s version of BEE will deliver real Black Economic Empowerment
  32. Mmusi Maimane speaks on race and identity in South Africa
  33. Mmusi on Race Full Speech
  34. Maimane’s First speech as DA Leader Parts 1 and 2
  35. ANC Ayisafani – DA TV ad
  36. Ayisafani 2 DA TV ad
  37. DA suspends Zille
  38. Maimane and Zille hold joint press conference
  39. Mmusi Maimane on suspending Zille
  40. Maimane on coalitions, Zille and the ANC
2

Maimane Analysis

What Mmusi Maimane has Right

The fate of South Africa is not dependent of the success of Jacob Zuma. Zuma should be monitored and held accountable for his transgressions. Maimane understands how corruption will stifle domestic growth and foreign investment. Both are critical to the well-being of South Africa. Jacob Zuma has been convicted of misappropriation of funds and violation of the constitution. Once these charges were proven in court and Zuma admitted that he sanctioned the upgrades on “bad legal advice” he should expect opposition.

Maimane keeps his attacks based on the constitution and issues that affect the government. His focus is on the proper governance of South Africa. He stays away from personal attacks against Zuma or other ANC members. Even when Parliamentary members attack him first he remains professional.

The partnership of Maimane and Malema is another aspect of the political astuteness of Maimane. He is clear that he does not agree with Malema on comondering land without compensation or Malema’s inflammatory rhetoric. Yet, he can work with Malema to remove a party seen by both as corrupt. Neither person has to compromise their beliefs, yet they can work together.

The vigilance of Maimane is not limited to the ANC. He has handled the Helen Zille twitter controversy well. Maimane was clear on his personal feeling that Zille’s comments were racist. He conferred with his party and asked her to voluntarily apologize. When she refused he brought her to the party for discipline. The party collectively determined she is only allowed to speak on Western Cape issues.

Many feel that Maimane should have unilaterally kicked her out of the party. If he had he would have been acting as party dictator not leader. He wanted to allow all party members to voice their concern or provide their support. He built a consensus and determined a reasonable punishment. His efforts also ensured that the DA would not have a sudden loss of support or funding due to harsh treatment of the only DA Primer. His response allowed him to hold true to his personal values, maintain party cohesion, and reprimand Zille for insensitive tweets.

Generally, Maimane keeps a positive perspective and believes in the potential of Africa. He prioritizes economic growth above political change. In many ways, he is similar to M. Buthelezi in that he thinks a strong economy will do more for the material condition of blacks than simply having a black government. The DA has an alternative economic plan that can be implement without risking internal turmoil. If aspects of the plan do not work, an opposition party can simply remove the law. The plan of the EFF, if implemented could cause a civil war and will economically isolate RSA for at least a short period of time.

The faith of Maimane is paramount in his life, but not his policy. He understands the importance of the separation of church and state. This leads him to create practical policies that don’t force his beliefs on to other people. Maimane’s stance in support of gay rights shows his ability to separate his personal beliefs from his public policy.

What Maimane has Wrong

Maimane is a neo-liberal. Here the term neo-liberal is used as an extension of classical liberalism. Classical liberalism is the belief that personal choice is the greatest virtue. Neo-liberalism extends the belief assuming the free market is the aggregate of personal choice modeled by economist. Reducing government interference will allow the free market to function effectively. The goal for neo-liberals is to create the highest functioning government whereas classical liberals want the most moral society. The two forms of Liberalism are attempting to create utopia, simply measuring differently.

In America, most consider the Libertarian party the closest political party to neo-liberalism. Libertarians are right leaning of fiscal issues and left leaning on social issues. The Democratic Alliance attempts to implement neo-liberalism in a far more left leaning country. Therefore they have to be for BEE or they will not win elections. Yet, even in the support of BEE they attempt to add more elements of choice and ambiguity to rule compliance.

The DA and Maimane want a small government that allows business the freedom to operate at low cost. Most of their policies are centered around free market principles. The belief is a growing economy will translate into more jobs. The jobs will improve the lives of blacks and create stability in RSA.

In the USA, neo-liberalism has led to the dynamic of only the most talented black people being chosen by corporations. Then these black people decided to disassociate themselves from the black community. Because there are only a few black people in this company, they do little to make the company more amenable to other black people. The majority of blacks can’t compete for elite jobs due to generational systematic educational divide. There is no market incentive to address the educational divide unless more elite workers are needed. This leads the majority of black people fighting for low wage jobs if employment is available at all. In recent times many low skill labor jobs are being replaced by machines or foreign workers in other countries. The failure of neo-liberalism has led to the rise of the apolitical black economics movement. A system based on personal choice will never choose to help the under-privileged without personal monetary reward.

Criticizing Maimane on neo-liberalism doesn’t mean he came to his conclusion solely because he was influenced by whites or capitalists. Maimane analysed data using his own methods and came to his own conclusions. It is unfair to say that all black people that think independently will come to the same conclusion. Black people of different perspectives will attack the problem differently. In this analysis, judging what happened in America, black wealth increased after Clinton became president and supported the Equal Opportunity and Employment Commission. So laws that specifically benefit black people are needed to build financial stability in the community at large.

Where is Maimane on the Spiral?

Judging from his personal views he is centered in Green. However, to function as a politician he has Orange/Green policies. He focuses on solutions in the I Space. Most neo-liberals support personal development over hiring laws or business subsidies. He wants first order change or simply changing the dominant political party within the current system. Ultimately, Maimane’s plan is far lower risk and if aspects don’t work the DA or an opposition party can easily make changes.

READ THE ENTIRE SERIES HERE

1

Mmusi Maimane

Mmusi Maimane is the current leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA is the opposition to the African National Congress on the right. Maimane sites in his political idols Bill Clinton and Helen Suzman. He is un-apologetically working for a non-racial South Africa. Below you will find the links to his series.

Biography

Philosophy

Analysis

4

Clyde Ramaline

  • Founder of The Quest for a Non-Racial South Africa
  • Founder of Clyde Ramalaine Outreach Ministries
  • Writer for Weekly Xpose ZA
  • Practiced Theology for 25 years
  • Graduate of the University of Western Cape (Sociology & Systematic Theology)
  • Dissertation Black Identity and Experience in Black Theology: A Critical Assessment questions the label of “Black”

Clyde Ramalaine founded The Quest for a Non-Racial South Africa. Quest works to change people’s perception of racial categories. The racial categories of Bantu, coloured, Indian, and white were created solely to oppress people. The idea of race was invented by Immanuel Kant in 1785 to justify white supremacy. The failed Eugenics movement proved the theory had no basis in 1945. South Africa needs to create a non-racial identity to unite its people.

Racial categories are always used to deny access to resources. In the days of Apartheid, Bantu were denied access to jobs and resources because of their category. Now Bantu deny coloured people access because of their race. Racial categories are always oppressive.

Even though the goal is to move away from racial categories, how race affects our thinking cannot be forgotten. In South Africa, there is a feeling amongst “whites” that no “blacks” can run the country. The presumption that blacks are unfit to rule leads to articles on ANC extravagances and political failures flooding the airwaves. Building a non-racial identity will work to combat these problems.

South Africa also cannot afford to forget her history. The atrocities of the various wars on the natives and apartheid. The iniquities of South Africa are just as important as the Holocaust of the Jews. Also, the manner in which Europeans acquired the land should exposed. If land claims are illegitimate a change in ownership is needed.

Ramalaine takes special care to advocate for people labeled by others as “coloured’. The coloured population is around 8% of the South African population. In contrast, the white population is 8%, and the Native (Bantu) population is 80%. A recent genetic study of coloured people revealed that their DNA is 40% Khoisan, 30% Bantu, 20 % European, and 10% Asian. Most coloured people live in the western part of the country. All coloured people do not share the same ancestry. Generally, Bantu are referred to as natives, even though Khoisans were in South Africa longer than any other ethnicity.

Coloured people suffer from discrimination due to not having the wealth of whites and not have the numbers of Bantu. Coloured people face discrimination in jobs programs such as Expanded Public Works Project (EPWP). Local police and human service officials do not learn the language of most coloured people Kaapse Afrikaans, so most Coloureds have to speak English to conduct business. In many other areas, people that know the local language receive preference.

Ramalaine on Politics

Jacob Zuma is the current president of South Africa. He has been accused of various scandals and the misappropriation of funds. He is also outspoken in reallocating resources away from Europeans to the native descendants. Ramalaine thinks the establishment often attacks Zuma. Ramalaine especially commends Zuma for his outreach to Khoisan descendant people. Ramalaine says “No president in democracy, or ever before, has shown an interest in attempting the discussion towards full recognition of this identity.” Zuma is proud of his mixed Zulu and Khoisan identity which leads him to advocate for the coloured population.

Nelson Mandela is the most revered South African leader. Ramalaine has written extensively on Mandela’s legacy. Mandela was a member of the African National Congress and the founder of its military wing MK. MK led a campaign that sabotaged many government buildings. Mandela was implicated in the subversion and spent decades in prison. After he was released, he was elected president of South Africa and facilitated reconciliation between various racial and political groups.

Ramalaine points out that most people that label themselves “white” thought of Mandela as a terrorist until mid-way through his presidency. The event that sticks out in the mind of most white people is Mandela’s support of the South African Springboks. The Springboks are the national rugby team that won the 1995 World Cup. The movie Invictus tells the story of the team.

Mandela was not revered by whites until he showed he would not challenge the right of Europeans to own and control the resources of South Africa. When Mandela did not contest the claim of Europeans or support a plan for wealth redistribution, he lost much of his African support. The event that brought white people to Mandela’s side turned blacks away. Even though most white people claim to support Mandela, very few voted for him in 1994. Many white people today claim that the ANC is the antithesis of what Mandela’s principles. These white people look at only Mandela’s last five years in the public eye. Mandela has a complicated legacy that needs thorough examination.

Even though the ANC is doing an acceptable job in the estimation of Ramalaine, all democracies need opposing parties. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are the main opposition to the ANC in Ramaline’s estimation. The EFF frequently attacks the ANC, yet doesn’t provide viable alternative solutions. The EFF resorts to juvenile displays to get media attention. The EFF is not providing substantive opposition to the ANC.

Rachel Dolezal

Ramalaine made world news because he invited Rachel Dolezal to speak in South Africa on race. Rachel Dolezal is an American woman that was born white but never felt “white” on the inside. During her childhood, she always felt more akin to black people. When Dolezal became an adult, she changed her race. She now considers herself black, introduces herself as black, and lived life as a black woman. She obtained a degree in African-American art from a historically black college and worked as a racial activist. The media exposed her as a person that was born white in 2015. Many have accused Dolezal of being a con-artist.

To Ramalaine, Rachel represents a person that chose her identity. The reason the media attacks her are many-fold. First “white” conservatives want to disparage her for rejecting whiteness for blackness. “Black” people attack her for taking an identity they feel that they own even though the term black was thrust upon them by racist to oppress them. “White” liberals are upset because she went further than they did to unite with black people. Many “white” liberals take on black culture or partners, yet don’t go as far as becoming black. Ramalaine reminds his audience to look at the heart of the individual.

What Ramalaine has right?

Race is an unsubstantiated construct. The removal of the concept from society will aid in unity not only in South Africa but the world. People affirming who they are independent of society’s constructs will lead to genuine progress. The identity of blackness was not the creation of black people and was always intended to oppress us.

Ramalaine’s commitment to coloured people makes him unique from others that believe in a colorblind society. He sees his destiny as linked with people of a similar heritage and comes to this conclusion on his own terms . He uses his platform to advocate for the people he best understands and can help the most. South Africans and the world community often overlooks coloured people. Ramalaine is doing his part to stop and shine a light on the needs of his people.

He also does not use the building of a color-blind society to excuse atrocities by colonials on native peoples. Ramalaine wants the horrors of colonialism and apartheid to be well documented and frequently discussed. He also wants concrete steps taken toward redress. Not based on one race wronging another, by colonials giving natives back what is rightfully native, the land.

Often many that claim to want a color-blind society to use it as an excuse to separate themselves from their people and to work toward empowerment. That is why when people talk about a color-blind society people roll their eyes. Most see it as a way for elite members of the race to separate themselves. Ramalaine provides a philosophy that is non-racial that is conducive to the empowerment struggle.

What Ramalaine has wrong?

Linking himself to Rachel Dolezal is simply a bad idea. Dolezal could be genuinely attempting to connect to blacks, mentally ill, or just running a con. The “jury is still out” on this one. She could say or do something outlandish for media attention. If she does many people will use the action to question his judgment, and his philosophy will lose credibility.

Ramalaine doesn’t offer specific solutions. His goal is to raise awareness, yet it is important for Ramalaine to provide alternative solutions that are specific. One thing that needs to be laid out is what does a non-racial identity look like and how does it aid a person in fighting injustice. He has an uphill battle because most people see color-blindness as a way to absolve a person from fighting racial justice. However, if he were to detail what a non-racial identity looks like, it would aid in many people coming on board.

What I could not evaluate.

The analyst is American and does not know much about South African politics or society. The analyst will refrain from agreeing or disagreeing with Ramalaine’s political assessments until he has more data on South African politics.

Where is Ramalaine on the Spiral?

Ramalaine is a healthy Green meme. He believes in redefining the group which is a frequent theme in Green meme. I cannot tell if he wants first-order or second-order change. Some articles seem to lean toward first -order change and others second order. Ramalaine would need a full manifesto to evaluate what change is needed.

He appears to stay in Green Meme for the articles I evaluated that span 2011 – 2017. If there were samples from a longer time span, a progression could be evaluated.

For more on Clyde Ramalaine read his blogs listed in Sources.

Sources

  1. https://ramalainetalkpoliticalanalysis.com
  2. https://weeklyxpose.co.za
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