The Lost Leader

Eugene Terreblanche was murdered in his farm alleged by workers over a nasty wage dispute. He was laid to rest amidst fears of unrest. His supporters paid him glowing tributes while his sympathizers were still under a shock. The mourners felt he was a definite victim of "genocide", and went on to describe him as a Christ-like figure, who sacrificed himself for truth.

He was the controversial leader of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) party that supported the continuation of apartheid in South Africa and struggled for a separate white homeland. A man with the gift of the gab and a resounding bass voice, the white supremacist could easily insinuate people and galvanize them into aggressive actions. A boiling racio-political activist, he had threatened to unleash a reign of terror ( bloody civil war ) if South Africa abolished apartheid.

By firing the dark imagination of the white people who significantly wanted to curtail the unusual and newly evolved privileges of the black majority, he sought to take revenge on those who questioned his authority. But, how could the black victims of segregation remain slaves ever in their own land and allow themselves to be ruled over again by abusive white minorities? Those who revolted against apartheid thought in this vein.

Terreblanche had his own guards in uniforms to carry out his commands while he himself appeared in public pompously riding on a charger. He mystified his followers by fittingly playing the comic role of a romantic hero. He was a myth-maker or a cult figure, but definitely not a military man. However, riding on the wave of success of his influence, he tried to disrupt political meetings and discussions, resorting to violence and, thereby, stop the country's transition to democracy.

His flashy agenda and weird techniques of opposition were full of sound and fury, but they signified nothing. His failure was not surprising as nobody seemed to take him very seriously. He could not guide his followers well in any strategic combat as he himself lacked a clear sense of purpose. However, he had a fiery racist theme to promulgate, and thus became the central figure of a tactless conspiracy. He often foulmouthed opinions that went squarely against the idea of equality and justice, the majority dreamt of achieving.

His assassination already has raised doubts of racial conflicts in a country which is getting ready to host the World Cup in a few weeks' time.