Arrogance in South Africa! WHY?

Question

In most of my previous questions and answers I strongly criticised the arrogant behaviour of some Americans. To my surprise I've just learnt that some South Africans are not only proud to be South Africans, but are arrogant towards other nationals, especially those coming from other African countries. For instance, if I mention this word 'kwerekwere' you will know what I'm talking about. Is it possible for us to turn this around and welcome them as our brothers and sisters?

Answer 1

Is now 10years since I came and found my settlement in South Africa.
I have different opinion about South Africa.I may not agree with you or give you the right answer but we can share some views.
Not all South African are arrogance, I bet you,you havent been to Zimbabwe recently or Botswana.
WE CAN TRACE ARROGANCEISM OF SOUTH AFRICAN BASED ON THEIR PAST LIFESTYLE DEALING WITH RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND ADDITIONAL ZULU TRADIONAL BELIEVE IN FIRMNESS,TO SPEAK, TO WALK....ADDITIONAL WITH FAST GROWING ECONOMIC DRIVE ESPECIALLY IN JOHANNESBURG WITH STRESS OF CATCHING UP TIME AND MEET HIGH TRAFFIC AS MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT USED TO THIS LIFESTYLE,ITS SOMETHING NEW TO THEM.
WE KNOW FOR SURE IGNORANCE HAS ATTACHED WITH ARROGANCE BUT WHEN A NON WHITE MAKE AN RACIAL STATEMENT AGAINST NON SOUTH AFRICAN,THEY DONT IT INTENSIONALLY,ONCE YOU OPPOSE WITH WORDS OF KINDNESS,RESOAN AND LOGIC,THEY REALIZE SO QUICK AND APPOLOGIZE TO YOU BECAUSE THAT WILL MAKE THE REMEMEBER OF THEIR PAST.THIS HAPPENS SO MANY TIMES TO ME.I TRAVELLED MANY COUNTRIES IN AFRICA, I HAVE NOT COME ACROSS PEOPLE WHO ARE HUMBLE AS MALAWIAN AND CONGOLISE AS WELL AS SOUTH AFRICAN.
IN MANY COUNTRIES IN AFRICA POLICE AND POLITICIAN ARE BEEN WORSHIPPED OR FEARED BASICALLY THEY STILL EXERCISE THEIR COLONIAL MASTER WAY OF LIFE AND WE CANNOT SAY A WORD OR WE HAPPEN TO SAY THEN NOBODY LISTENS.GO ANYWHERE STOP A POLICEMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA,WE CAN CHAT AND JOKE AND WHEN IT COMES TO ENFORCE THE LAW,SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE WORK UNDER THE ETHICS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, WE CAN PHONE POLITICIAN HERE AND CHAT WE THEM, WE DONT FEAR OUR POLITICIANS BUT WE RESPECT THEN AND THEY RESPECT US.THERE'S NOTHING WRONG TO EXERCISE NATIONALISM,THEY HAVE WORKABLE GOVERNMENT TO BE PROUD OF UNLIKE THE REST OF AFRICA,THEY LIVE WITH FEEL GOOD MESSAGE AND YET THEY DONT SEE POVERTY,CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF POWER ...IF THE REST OF AFRICA CAN BE LIKE SOUTH AFRICA AS FAR AS TO EXERCISE THE TRUE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY, THERE WAS NEVER GOING TO BE HUNGER IN ZIMBABWE OR CIVIL WAR IN SUDAN

Answer 2

All humans harbor a subconscious sense of insecurity about whether they were born in the best place in the world. To cover up their insecurity, many will prefer to insist that their country is better than everyone else. Others allow their doubts to lead them abroad for confirmation and their destinations determine whether their egotistical beliefs are challenged. Many, however, cannot even afford to travel and this is the most likely group to have nationalistic issues - why the working class tends to be nationalist because there is a subconscious need to assume an answer rather than just doubt.

To sum up what I just said in plain English:
Nationalism is a sign in insecurity and psychological weakness.

Those are harsh words, I know, but if the problem is to be addressed, I have now given you the first keys to understanding the problem.
Handle with care! A tender ego is a delicate thing.

Answer 3

I'm gonna be real honest with you Diesel. In my hometown, some 50 k's from Cape Town, a lot of non-South Africans moved in and stirred up lots of trouble with selling drugs and stuff. Now, I know that drugs were there before they came along. But it increased and as you very well know, they've taken over the markets. Selling all kinds of stuff on the streets. This is ok, but my beautiful Boland hometown has now turned into a disgusting place to dwell in at night.

I want to accept all Africans as brothers, but I have been disgruntled by their behavior. And they don't seem to make any effort from their side. Now, mind you, I've been in SA twice in the space of three years. This means that I don't know much, but this I do know... they're still at it.

I really wanna accept all kinds of people, but I think we need to clean up our act first and now we need to clean up the immigrants' act up as well. It's just too much too ask from anyone. This is where the bad blood comes in. We want to get our house in order and the immigrants make it difficult. Coming from someone who is also an immigrant in Korea, you may think I must be crazy. Well, we have more to work on than other countries is what I feel.

The immigrants in SA are welcomed, as long as they want to empower SA rather than trying to cripple it.

Sorry if I had to disagree with you. You're still the man.

Answer 4

Hi Diesel.

I dont believe that im arrogant towards other nationals at all. I have no problem with anybody actually but i do however get really annoyed with some Americans because they think S.A. is low and that America is the best. I dont think that of all American's though. I welcome many people.

See you around, Kim.

P.s. What does 'kwerekwere' mean?

Answer 5

Well it comes down to having a healthy respect and outlook of yourself and other human beings.

I am happy I live in a country ,called zambia where foreigners are free here and not called names.