Sue Williamson, a veteran anti-apartheid artist, prepares for a retrospective exhibition while criticizing Trump and Musk for their remarks regarding South Africa. Williamson argues their statements are attempts to undermine the nation’s credibility in international law, particularly concerning land expropriation and its legal case against Israel. Her body of work captures the historical injustices of apartheid and aims to educate future generations on these issues.
Sue Williamson, a prominent anti-apartheid artist, has been addressing South Africa’s socio-political issues for over 50 years. As she prepares for her retrospective exhibition, she criticizes US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk for their recent comments about South Africa. Following Musk’s denunciation of the country’s alleged racist policies on social media, Trump issued an executive order reducing aid to South Africa, alleging racial discrimination against white Afrikaners.
Williamson describes their actions as ‘gaslighting’ in response to South Africa’s case against Israel regarding alleged genocide against Palestinians. She argues that Trump and Musk are undermining South Africa’s credibility on the global stage, particularly in light of its recent legal actions concerning Israel. This reflects a strategic effort to delegitimize South Africa’s stance in international politics.
On the subject of land expropriation, Williamson refutes reports claiming that South Africa is confiscating land from Afrikaner farmers without due process. She points to historical injustices stemming from the 1913 Land Act, which dispossessed black farmers of their land, suggesting that corrective actions are overdue. Recent legislation allows for land expropriation with no compensation under specific conditions, echoing efforts to rectify historical land injustices.
Williamson began her artistic journey while working in New York and became politically active upon returning to South Africa in 1969. Her activism intensified following the Soweto uprising in 1976, where she joined the Women’s Movement for Peace. The group campaigned against apartheid policies and raised awareness about non-white housing demolitions.
Throughout her career, Williamson has focused on documenting the demolitions and their impact on communities. Her retrospective exhibition features works that echo her activist roots, including a new piece using chairs and audio from District Six, calling attention to unfulfilled government promises regarding the area’s redevelopment.
Her earlier work includes videos of veteran activists sharing their apartheid experiences, underlining the importance of historical awareness. Williamson reflects on the current discourse among young people who mistakenly believe conditions were better under apartheid, highlighting a global tendency where trauma is not adequately conveyed between generations.
Williamson acknowledges that her earlier work may need to engage more deeply with the perspectives of today’s youth. She emphasizes the necessity of understanding one’s own history to navigate contemporary societal challenges, indicating a shift in her focus to include the evolving narratives of younger generations.
Sue Williamson critiques Donald Trump and Elon Musk for undermining South Africa’s international standing amidst its legal actions against Israel. She emphasizes the need for acknowledging historical injustices related to land expropriation, highlighting her art’s role in activism. Williamson calls for greater awareness of historical context in today’s youth to foster informed discussions about past and present societal challenges.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
