Hmm
posted by Ryan @ 1:30 PM
4 comments
WashU TASP 06
Oh, what a Bunche of Payne!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
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4 Comments:
One must commend the ANC for being so sporting. Nevertheless, one does raise the eyebrow at the fact that someone who has been condemned by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission shall be given a state funeral. I wonder what is going on... Are South African heads of state always given state funerals? Is this a reflection with the sense of dissatisfaction among some elements of South African society (which I think was discussed in our last batch of readings for TASP) with the manner in which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was conducted? Or perhaps is this an expression of just how truthfully reconciled South Africa is, that it feels comfortable giving Botha a state funeral? Is Botha even as villainous as he is oft portrayed? What are my fair fellow freedom fighters' thoughts on this issue?
For however much he was or was not a nice guy, he was also an agressive enforcer of apartheid and refused to pardon mandela. so he's not high on my list of Favorite People Ever. I mean, there are always arguments along the lines of "he was just doing what his constituency wanted" and "he was a product of the times" and all that, but I don't buy that so much with SA leaders in the '80s because basically there was such immense international support for ending apartheid. Plus I just think he was mean. So there.
Anyway, I have no actual information to back this up, but I would guess the state funeral thing is just something customary for all past heads of state. I can't imagine why else the current administration would be down with that.
Wow, I just read over this comment and realized that my ability to speak coherently begins a marked decline around 10 a.m., and by this time at night is just completely shot. lol.
Alison, in answer to your question (from another BBC article):
"Officials have gone to the Botha family home to discuss funeral plans.
Mr Botha's widow, Barbara, told the South African media her husband would not have wanted a state funeral as was his right under the constitution - and a private funeral near his home is being planned for next Wednesday."
Yes, I just saw that as well. That makes more sense. Thanks!
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