[I received this from a regular reader. Interesting. Jan]

Hello Jan,
IF there is any credence to this report it would appear that blacks are trying to emulate the Broederbond driven, Nationalist

Style of integrating intellectualism and politics and create the œChosen Few that pull the power strings behind the scenes

Of SA politics!

Native Club: Mbeki must explain

Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance will ask President Thabo Mbeki to provide clarity about the apparent existence of an organisation known as The Native Club, which is allegedly financed by taxpayers and to which only black intellectuals can belong.

The existence of The Native Club came to light about two weeks ago after a group of black intellectuals had met at a think-tank in Gauteng and for which the presidency allegedly had paid.

It has since evoked wide reaction, with an accompanying argument about the mixing of race and intellect, and about the funding thereof by South Africa’s multiracial taxpayers.

Several black intellectuals have distanced themselves from the club, especially since they believed it had a racial stamp.

The name Native Club referred to the term “native” – an ironic reference to a time when black people were regarded as inferior.

The term was also incorporated in the name of the ANC, which was known as the South African Native National Congress until 1923.

Marred by discord

The first meeting of the new racially exclusive club allegedly was marred by discord after one of the black intellectuals complained about the presence of coloured and Indian South Africans.

Now, DA MP Motlatjo Thetjeng is set to ask Mbeki how this exclusive club for black intellectuals conforms to the SA constitution’s non-racial basis.

He also is concerned that presidential advisor Titus Mafolo is the chairperson of the club, which gives the impression that it is intellectually independent.

Thetjeng said: “What does it mean to be an intellectual? If the requirements are that you have to be black, support the ANC and be in the government’s pocket, the project has fundamental flaws from the outset.”

He has put five questions to Mbeki on behalf of the DA:

(194)Â(183)· he wants to know the nature and extent of government funding for the Native Club;

(194)Â(183)· he wants to know how a person qualifies to become a member;

(194)Â(183)· he wants to know whether the membership application refers to race, and what this implies;

(194)Â(183)· he wants to know if the presidency agrees with statements allegedly made during the meeting that South African intellectuals should be divided into natives and settlers; and

(194)Â(183)· he wants clarity about Mafolo’s appointment as chairperson.

Thetjeng said that, at first glance, the Native Club might lead to disunity between races.

In addition, it would be futile for the country’s intellectuals to become merely praise-singers for the government.

The country would benefit more from a truly non-racial debate about challenges the future held.

Source: News24.Com
URL: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/New…/p>