THE FORCE OF ARGUMENT OR THE ARGUMENT OF FORCE

I have followed with interest the ‘work’ of the powerful government delegation, led by Philemon Yang, in the Northwest and Southwest provinces, in a concerted campaign against the SCNC. FOUR things struck me which need remarking.

1) The delegation declared that it is not necessary to dialogue with the SCNC! How can this be, when dialogue is the best, if not only, means of settling disagreements and conflicts peacefully? Is the problem with the word ‘dialogue’? Sometimes mere words can cause a lot of problems and have led people and even nations to conflict, violence and war. So, if the problem is with the word ‘dialogue’, why not forget the word and just sit down (or even stand up) and talk with (or even to) the SCNC? Talking is very important because sometimes through talking people in disagreement or conflict may realize that they were seeking the same end in different ways without being aware of the fact. The African traditional system is widely recognized for its emphasis on and practice of consensus in the management of public affairs. In reaching such consensus, the position and views of dissenting minorities are of the utmost importance. Such consensus, however, does not necessarily imply unanimous agreement or even reconciliation of differences, but rather recognition of differences, suspension of disagreement and charting of a way forward, in spite of the differences.