Race May Be Issue in Next South Africa Elections

10/29/2013

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, gestures as he addresses supporters during the official launch of his political party in Marikana October 13, 2013.

From VOA Learning English, welcome to As It Is! I’m Steve Ember.

On our program today, we tell about new political movements in South Africa, and how race may be an issue in national elections next year.

And, we remember a space flight 15 years ago by America’s oldest astronaut, John Glenn. He was 77 years old at the time.

First, to South Africa for a report about politics and race.

South Africa is preparing for national elections next year, and race has once more become an issue. One new political party has criticized the white minority who profited under the country’s former system of racial separation. At the same time, a small group of white South Africans say their race is threatened with what they have called “genocide.”

Political observers say out of control racial hatred is not in step with life in South Africa today.

Almost 20 years ago, South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, described his country as a “rainbow nation” at peace with itself. Mr. Mandela’s presidency ended the apartheid system. Under apartheid, nonwhites were oppressed and treated as unequal to white South Africans.