Guptagate: Beware the ethnic slippery slope

Geoff Sifrin

Taking Issue

There have already been negative public references to the Guptas’ origins, demands that they “go back to India”, and politicians like EFF leader Julius Malema saying decisions about the country should not be made over a “bowl of curry”. One even hears ordinary South Africans of Indian descent being crassly described as “Guptas”.

Jews know the dangers of this from their own history – how a few Jews’ actions were exploited in different places by anti-Semites to condemn entire Jewish communities, regardless of their contributions and integration into society.

Hitler’s blaming of Jews for Germany’s troubles to serve his sinister political ends, are one example among many – with catastrophic consequences.

Ethnic tensions simmer in this country among all groups. It doesn’t take much, for example, to ignite xenophobic violence by local Africans against Somalis, Malawians and other “foreign nationals” running businesses in townships who are perceived to be succeeding where they have failed.

The iconic image of 35-year-old Mozambican Ernesto Alfabeto Nhamuave’s gruesome death in 2008 in Ramaphosa township on the East Rand after he was set alight by a mob, provides an example of what happens when you go down that road.

The Guptas are the symptoms of our sick political culture, not the cause. In every country, business tries to influence politicians. Successful nations like the United States flourish through the interaction of government and the businesses which create wealth and jobs and pay taxes.

Businesses invest money where government policies are to their liking, and naturally try to influence things in this direction. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as the political system prevents corruption.

Sadly, South Africa’s political system, despite our fine Constitution and institutions tasked with protecting democracy, have failed spectacularly in protecting society. Bribery and corruption have become the norm. What a terrible disappointment, after the idealism to which Nelson Mandela’s generation inspired us not that long ago.

Making money through business should dovetail, however, with a concern for the national good. Business leaders – Jewish businessmen among them – should be outspoken about the betterment of society being the ultimate goal, and follow it up with concrete actions.

We are indebted to those who already do – and there are many who give huge energy and funds to social causes.

South Africans’ outrage should be directed at the ANC and its leaders who succumbed to the Guptas’ temptations and demands and used their positions to accumulate personal wealth and power.

The Gupta family’s crass power-mongering for the sake of their own pockets, with no guiding vision for making a better country, evokes disgust. But the mafia they have created contains an entire network of government operatives, including the country’s president, Jacob Zuma, who has abrogated any sense of civic duty.

Sadly, even after Zuma is hounded out of office – which hopefully will happen as soon as possible – the system of patronage he created will take far longer to dismantle.

Talk at Jewish dinner tables about Guptagate these days often includes the comment: “Thank G-d they are not Jewish”, showing Jews’ inherent insecurity. If the Gupta affair were to turn into a racial thing, Jews might not be far behind as a convenient target for politicians to camouflage their own failures.

No particular ethnic group is responsible for South Africa’s ills, nor for its achievements. South Africans of Indian descent have long since paid their dues in the struggle against apartheid and other areas. Their South Africanness is as solid as anyone else’s; the Guptas’ shenanigans cannot sully this.

Read Geoff Sifrin’s regular columns on his blog sifrintakingissue.wordpress.com