White working class of Africa

[spartan]

Forgive my ignorance but would you say that there is a white working class on the continent of Africa today?

I have heard that a hell of alot of white Africans (Mostly businessmen) have now emigrated from Africa ever since black majority rule was implemented, which to me would suggest that a lot of white Africans arent working class in the true sense.

What about in Apartheid South Africa and white minority ruled Rhodesia, would you say that they had a white working class or a type of native labour aristocracy which exploited black workers?

It is also worth remembering that whites were a minority in these countries and were the ones who benefited the most from the racist system in these states when compared with the majority black people (Which suggests a privileged role for white people that true workers would never have no matter there race).

[Demogorgon]

Well there is still a white working class in South Africa of course, who live in comparable style to European working classes and are far better off than the black working class.

As for Rhodesia in the past. Well there were certainly working class white people there. My Grandparents for instance. But again the standard of living was much better than it was for the blacks, and indeed in that case for European working class people back home as there was so much racial exploitation to benefit from.

[lombas]

It is worth noticing that in South-Africa, English speaking whites have all the money, but Afrikaners (which are actually on average quite poor) had the majority during Apartheid. Not that the English speaking whites bothered much. But neither did the blacks.

I would say that in some African countries you have some kind of white working class. However, because of their relative wealth anyhow, they're closer to petty and haute bourgeoisie alike.

But don't be mistaken, there is a lot of poverty among certain whites in Africa.

[Orange Revolution]

Having travelled extensively in SA last year, my impression was a shifting of wealth, power and corruption in favour of the 'blacks' (as opposed to the 'coloured' and 'whites', their description not mine), and within that group the Bantu particularly. The ANC are operating policy to their tribal benefit, whilst of the coloured and white people I met, the whites were bemoaning the fact they have had to enter the workforce to compete for all jobs, not the management jobs they would have had under aparteid, whilst the coloured people feel they have no voice and are getting fucked over as usual, 'welcome to the new boss, same as the old boss'. Having said that, I noticed the rise of the 'Gated Community', predominately rich whites (and some black) hiding behind private armies and electric fences, a self imposed apartheid...

Social and Political change without a bloodbath has to come slowly but surely, and as change happens there will be winners and losers, but the key is the next generation, those who grow up within the current system and don't carry the baggage of apartheid, from whichever side.

[lombas]

It is true that especially the Bantu, not people like the Koi or San, receive the benefits of ANC rule. However, when it comes to looking into the redistribution that has been going on, the difference of background between English and Afrikaner whites should always be kept in mind.

Walking the Waterfront, one doesn't hear a lot of Afrikaans.