In general, the conception of a coloured man is based on numerous and inadequate generalizations. So, what does it mean to live as a coloured in South Africa? It means an exposure to a social bigotry that is underpinned by ignorance and insecurities. This is clearly seen by a set of invisible, sometimes visible, coloured commandments. For a long while these coloured commandments dictated the development of social structures and interaction between a people having no tangible identity and self-worth. Sadly, the ignorance, insecurity, lack of an identity and self-worth still persist in South Africa today. Living with discrimination in your heart.

‘History teaches nothing’ – Gordon Sumner

The Commandments

• I believe that I am the best in the street where I live. Anyone who lives in a bigger house, drives a better car or whose kids attends a more expensive school is liable to receive some unfair treatment, harassment or verbal slurs from me. I believe that I am better than anyone else, and the minute that I see another coloured excel, I will suppress, oppress and undermine their achievements. Even my own children.
• I believe that when I am in need, then the neighbor is obliged to give me whatever I need (like sugar, rice or even a few rands), otherwise that neighbor is not fit to be regarded as a friend or acquaintance
• I believe that I am compelled to obtain new possessions as determined by the rate at which my neighbors or work colleagues acquire new possessions. I am entitled to have the loudest musical system, the biggest satellite dish and the most expensive clothes on the market, all clothes should be designer-labeled. Should I not be able to afford this, I am entitled to sink my heavy ass into debts that I know I will not be able to pay.
• I believe that I have the right to afford my children education on the basis that I can boast about their achievements like it was my own. I retain the right to assess scholastic progress better than the drunk teacher. Education has not worked for me, so it will work for them as long their education do not surpass mine, as I made them. My children will work for me once they have completed their studies. My children are not to think for themselves. 
• I believe that I may call black people ‘kaffirs’; white people ‘whities’; asians ‘coolies’ and other coloureds ‘hotnot’ or ‘gam’. In addition, I believe that I am better than anybody is and nobody may address me as any of the above because it is politically incorrect to label me as such. Such labeling is a direct violation of my basic human rights but not yours.
• I believe that all white and black people are racist. I believe that I am racially tolerant by not allowing my children to play with black children because black people slaughter animals in their yards and believe in the tokolosh. I reserve the right to protect my children against the onslaughts of the white man’s way of living, allowing their offspring economic freedom. I believe, in addition, that my child should never be independent of me otherwise I have not been a good parent. 
• I believe that I am not African. I am born on the South African continent. My narrow-mindedness is more than a vice and it does indeed surpass my intellect, don’t you forget that. 
• I believe that my social constitution and laws are governed by what people think of me. The perception of what other people will say determines what I believe. 
• I believe that the government owes me a house and an education due to the inequities of the past. Why should I work for what I want, as my drinking time will be cut in half and besides, the government owes me. 
• I believe that all other religions are an abomination of my religion and belief in God. May they have a happy journey to hell, God bless them. My authority should not be questioned because I have the Church by my side. At least I am saved.
• I believe that once I get elected to office or any committee, as it is due to me, I will turn my back on those idiots that elected me for that position. As long as I earn a good salary, I will not do anything to uplift my community, I don’t owe them anything. 
• Breaching any of the commandments will afford you extra-special names like ‘coconut’, ‘traitor’ or even ‘gatkruiper’. A first offence, in most cases, will be forgiven. After that, any act shall be scrutinized and deemed suspicious. You are warned. 

The truth or validity of the coloured commandments depends on you. Let us change the way we look at live and ourselves. Although there are plenty of talented people in coloured communities, advancement are hampered by in-fighting, bigotry and blind recourse in the coloured commandments. There are many diverse groups within the ‘coloured’ community due to the heterogeneous nature of genetic imprints, that it is unimaginable at this stage that unity amongst them would, in the least, even be negotiable. Working together on a common goal is such a novelty that nothing ever gets done. Helping each other to attain a better life is just not possible. 

Could it be, that Christianity or religion practiced in South Africa is based on a fixation of supremacist ideals? In South Africa, in general, people cannot forgive easily. They cannot forgive the previous governments – and now they have the perfect excuse to sit on their asses and allow everything to be taken away from them as before. People of our wonderful country are still content with the supremacist ideals of the past that still intrude and infect South Africa; content with the politician’s philosophical games; content with inferior education; content with everything. We have the means to create economic prosperity for all. Let us stand together. White, Black, Indian and Coloured come and stand together for a better South Africa.

Published with kind permission from Cornel R Rayners and Nathan Wilson

Ed’s Note:  What did you think of this article?  Tell us about it in the forums.  Check back next week for the next article entitled Bruin-ou, Where In The World Would You Find One? ‘Everywhere’.

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