Conspirituality Podcast: "Make Apartheid Great Again"
Release Date: February 15, 2025
Introduction
In the "Make Apartheid Great Again" episode of the Conspirituality Podcast, hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker delve into the resurgence of apartheid-like policies in South Africa and the conflation of such issues with contemporary political narratives, particularly those propagated by figures like Donald Trump. The episode examines the intricate interplay between historical apartheid, modern land expropriation laws, and the manipulation of these topics by conspiracy-driven influencers.
Contextualizing South Africa's Land Expropriation Bill
Julian Walker ([01:26]) opens the discussion by highlighting recent statements from Donald Trump concerning the land expropriation bill signed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This bill allows the South African government to seize land without compensation under specific conditions:
- Unused Land: Property not being utilized.
- No Profit Intent: Land not intended for development or profit generation.
- Public Risk: Properties posing risks to public safety.
Despite its intentions to rectify the disproportionate land ownership—where only 4% of farmable land is owned by Black South Africans who constitute 80% of the population—the bill has stirred controversy, especially among white South Africans.
Donald Trump's Response and Its Implications
Julian Walker ([01:26]) explains Trump's reaction to the bill:
"Trump cut off all aid to South Africa as long as the bill remains in place."
This move aligns Trump with narratives that portray the bill as a form of white oppression, despite the bill's aims to address historical injustices stemming from apartheid. Additionally, Trump's rhetoric is intertwined with misinformation, casting a shadow over legitimate efforts to reform land ownership in South Africa.
Elon Musk's Connection to Apartheid South Africa
The conversation takes a personal turn as Julian Walker introduces a discussion with Elon Musk ([04:28]), who shares his experiences growing up in apartheid-era South Africa. Elon Musk elucidates the rigid segregation and censorship that characterized the period:
"There was total control of the media by the government. One official TV channel… the newspapers were censored."
Musk recounts the pervasive segregation laws that dictated every aspect of life, from neighborhoods to employment, and the psychological burden borne by those aware of the systemic injustices. His family's decision to leave South Africa was influenced by both political awareness and personal aspirations, such as Musk's desire to attend a music school in Los Angeles.
Historical Overview of Apartheid and Land Ownership
Elon Musk ([15:33]) provides a comprehensive historical background on apartheid, emphasizing the long-standing inequalities in land ownership:
"By the 1880s, they [Afrikaners] found that they were sitting on the largest single source of gold mining in the history of the world."
He traces the origins of apartheid to earlier colonial practices and the establishment of laws like the Native Lands Act of 1913, which confined Black South Africans to a mere 10% of land despite their majority population. The official apartheid era (1948-1994) intensified these disparities, leading to forced relocations and the creation of bantustans (homelands) that further disenfranchised non-white populations.
Impact of the 2025 Expropriation Act
The discussion shifts to the newly signed 2025 Expropriation Act, which mirrors the contentious land reforms of the apartheid era but with modern legal frameworks. Elon Musk ([19:53]) critiques the act's potential ramifications:
"...the descendants of the European settlers in South Africa can come here... while deportations are happening... it's explicitly racist."
Musk argues that Donald Trump's decision to cut off aid based on this act is misguided and harmful. He emphasizes that the act includes safeguards for land not in use or posing public risks, countering the portrayal of the act as a blanket expropriation that targets white landowners unfairly.
Trump's Misinformation and Its Consequences
Elon Musk ([21:43]) expresses strong disapproval of Trump's actions:
"...the idea that all of these white farmers are being pushed off their land by the government... is just not happening."
Musk highlights the detrimental effects of Trump's misinformation, noting that cutting aid impacts critical sectors like HIV treatment, which disproportionately affects the Black population in South Africa. He underscores the irony of defunding USAID, which hampers not only health initiatives but also human rights and democratic efforts in the country.
Legal and Societal Implications
The episode also touches upon the legal processes surrounding the Expropriation Act. Elon Musk ([21:43]) mentions:
"South African legal scholars say... it's in line with the Constitution. There's a whole legislative process that's going on here."
He points out that, despite its controversial nature, the act undergoes rigorous legal scrutiny and provides avenues for appeal and recourse, differentiating it from totalitarian decrees. Musk acknowledges the complexities involved in land reform but maintains that the act is a legitimate effort to address historical injustices.
Conclusion and Insights
The "Make Apartheid Great Again" episode of Conspirituality Podcast effectively unpacks the resurgence of apartheid-like policies in South Africa and the problematic narratives propagated by political figures like Donald Trump. Through the personal insights of Elon Musk and historical analysis, the hosts shed light on the nuanced realities of land reform, the dangers of misinformation, and the enduring legacy of apartheid's structural inequalities. The episode serves as a critical examination of how conspiratorial rhetoric can undermine legitimate social justice efforts and exacerbate racial tensions.
Notable Quotes
- Julian Walker ([03:54]): "This is a conspirituality brief called Make Apartheid Great Again."
- Elon Musk ([04:28]): "There was total control of the media by the government... essentially, you're living in a bubble."
- Julian Walker ([08:57]): "He's a fucking disgusting human being."
- Elon Musk ([09:09]): "If you look into Errol Musk's... it gets very, very dark."
- Elon Musk ([12:15]): "The guilt was immense. The helplessness, the desire to change the situation."
- Elon Musk ([15:33]): "This nice area is going to be for white people now."
- Elon Musk ([21:43]): "Donald Trump's decision... is egregiously racist."
Key Takeaways
- Historical Context: Understanding apartheid's legacy is crucial to comprehending current land reform efforts in South Africa.
- Political Manipulation: Figures like Donald Trump exploit and distort complex social issues to further misleading political agendas.
- Personal Narratives: Elon Musk's firsthand experiences provide valuable insights into the pervasive impact of systemic racism and segregation.
- Legal Frameworks: Modern land expropriation acts, while controversial, operate within legal boundaries that differentiate them from historical apartheid policies.
- Consequences of Misinformation: Misrepresenting social justice efforts can lead to significant harm, including the erosion of vital health and human rights initiatives.
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