Book review: My second initiation-The memoir of Vusi Pikoli

My intention was to read this memoir in May; however, the title was so inviting. I just had to read Adv Pikoli’s book. I am ready to confront the realities and this is my analysis. I am not affiliated with any political organisations. I am only affiliated to Africa and Africans. The views that I share are to uplift and spark honest conversations. I am not looking for a seat in parliament, I don’t like noise.  All that I desire to create is a culture of reading, especially African literature and for young people to take an interest in political developments. 

This is a journey from his first graduation to manhood in the hills of the Eastern Cape, to his second life-shaping experience in the corridors of power in government. 

Vusi Pikoli indeed is a man of unquestionable integrity. Every chapter will leave you admiring his stance on the importance of electing public servants who aren’t motivated by self-seeking interests. The role of public servants is to place the needs of the public at the forefront. It is critical that although politically elected, public servants reserve the right to prosecute in fairness. In Vusi’s case, pursuing a criminal case against a former National Police Commissioner got him removed from office and subject to a public inquiry into his suspension.  

I think if you bring Vusi’s experience, one has so many learnings from this memoir. The first aspect I took from reading My second initiation, is the role that exile plays in shaping young activists. Vusi fled with his ANC unit into exile and spent ten years away from his home.  He left South Africa as a young and driven man to be shaped by other activists. Vusi was also shaped by the struggle and the many unpleasant encounters. The shaping in exile contributed to how he viewed democracy as a whole, not forgetting the apartheid regime. 

Having to return to South Africa after ten years of living in exile is a different experience. This is because he left under the apartheid regime and returned to a country that was transitioning is a whole different ball game. The challenge there comes in because returning to a transitioning South Africa with an exile mindset requires unlearning and relearning.

This leads me to my second aspect of My second initiation, is that when he was in exile some activists remained behind and fought oppression in South Africa. Which unravels a different approach to power dynamics. This means that the activists that remained and fought oppression in South Africa and the ones in exile can never be placed in one box. Not to say, their contribution was any less significant. The challenge was rather a matter of the journey towards a free South Africa whilst living in South Africa. As opposed to those in exile who were reviving the domestic political underground and creating a sense of belonging for Africans outside their homes.

My third aspect is that returning to South Africa after ten years is a whole different experience. Considering that he left as a young man and returned to a South Africa that was no longer governed by the apartheid policies that had been introduced by the National Party Government. He returned to his ANC government governing South Africa. I think here is where I interrogate integration, unlearning, relearning, South Africa post-apartheid policies and impacts of the policies of Apartheid.

I think the ANC needed to design a reintegration programme for exile returnees or maybe they did. This is because living in exile has an impact on one whether it be psychologically or politically. Some veterans even have anger issues because they lived in very violent times and this triggers trauma responses. In terms of unlearning and relearning now that they return to South Africa, it’s not the same as they left it. Therefore, the activists that remained behind will also not be the same. This means that some have shifted their perspectives and worldviews post-Apartheid. 

Therefore, it  had a dire impact on how they implemented the newly established policies in South Africa.

South Africa post-apartheid policies and the impacts of Apartheid is what contributed to how South Africa is governed. 

I think the truth here is that Vusi returned to a completely new political landscape and maybe he was a little naive. What made it more challenging is that upon returning from exile he went straight into the workplace. He never gave himself a chance to study the new political landscape to see whether the vision was still aligning to what he had hoped for. He went blindly believing the cadres and the ANC. I think that’s why it was difficult for him to give in to the offer made by the former president  to resign. 

Vusi, a man whose mission was to ensure that we lived in a free South Africa. Vusi, who believed in the governing party and was a loyal supporter, returned to a changed ANC. He returned only to have his integrity questioned for doing his job. 

The true test is that are we ready to confront the crooks in power or will we remain loyal to the governing party because of the liberation struggle? 

I am not affiliated to any political party. I am affiliated to the Africans. 

I highly recommend that you read Vusi Pikoli and please VOTE in the upcoming elections? 

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