The uncontroversial non-patriot

Contrary to popular belief, prof Jonathan Jansen does not think he is controversial. He views his sense of duty as one towards common humanity. This distinguished professor spoke to Danny-B Smith about his upbringing and inspirations, as well as the topics of controversy and political correctness.

“Intellectually, I grew up in America. I would be a non-entity in that country because there are 500 other people saying the exact same thing. But here people are so ‘bang’ [fearful] to open their mouths,” said prof Jonathan Jansen.

“I say things, not because it’s controversial, but because it’s true!” he exclaimed. According to Jansen, the reason why he’s often called controversial is because he says what he sees. 

“It’s ridiculous because people are scared of being ostracized,” he added. Therefore, people go silent in the face of justice. 

Unboxable with a ‘value-centred’ upbringing

Attempting to racially or socially classify Jansen, is one of the few things that hurt him, other than a loss by the Blue Bulls, he chuckled. “If you want to understand me and my orientation towards the world, it’s important to understand that you can’t box me,” he said. 

According to Jansen, being a diehard Orlando Pirates soccer fan, while simultaneously being a Bulls rugby supporter, tends to puzzle people. Similarly, it’s difficult for people to grasp the concept of a church-going Afrikaner, such as himself, to explore interests beyond the stereotypical, socially constructed boxes that they’re often placed in. 

“I was privileged to have been surrounded by people who were not like that and whose sense of identity was universal, instead of particular,” said Jansen. 

Prof Jonathan David Jansen was born in Montagu, South Africa in 1956. Despite being raised in the Cape Flats during a time period of institutionalised racial segregation and oppression, Jansen has retained a core set of values stemming from his childhood. 

 “We lived in a bit of a bubble – one that was very value-centered. Respect women and elderly, at the cost of a lashing,” said Jansen. He was the eldest of five children.

Having grown up during apartheid, Jansen, who would later become the first vice-chancellor of colour at the University of the Free State (UFS), can recall particularly harsh memories. “My father-in-law threw me out of the house because I’m too dark for his daughter,” said Jansen.

Jansen’s two children, Mikhail and Sarah-Jane, however, grew up with natural defenses against such negativity, said Jansen. They didn’t have parents constantly reminding them of forced removals and the anger attached to it, Jansen added.

He also didn’t teach his kids the narratives of resentment, and therefore they consequently view the world in a positive light. Being raised in a multicultural environment significantly contributed to this, he said, as they were exposed to “people from different religions and countries from the day they were born”.

Brain drain, non-patriotism and common humanity 

 Jansen is an intellectual freedom enthusiast, who acquired a considerable amount of accolades from a variety of prestigious, international, academic institutions.

Jansen’s view is that he was given ample opportunities throughout his life. As a result, he feels an obligation to give back and aspires to provide others with the same opportunities. 

“I get very irritated with this ‘I’m staying’ hashtag. As opposed to what?” said Jansen, referring to how individuals tend to up-skill themselves and then immigrate, thereby contributing to the brain drain. This is especially the case in third world countries such as South Africa, he added.

“The word patriotism has a meaning that restricts your love, devotion and commitment to a country, and I’ll never be able to do that,” said Jansen.

“Patriotism is used to include and exclude, so it’s almost ‘aspris’ [intentional] that I help a refugee Zimbabwean student. [It’s] to make a point, that the refugee from Zim is [just] as important,” said Jansen.

His sense of duty is cross border and globalist, as opposed to “vaderland”, as Jansen put it. “Common humanity is more important than our differences,” said Jansen.

“I’m an internationalist, who feels the same pain for a Muslim mother who lost a kid as that which I feel for a Jewish mother in the same position. I don’t mean I believe in the moral equivalence of both cases. Rather, that on another level my humanity reaches out to people in pain, regardless of the broader political background,” said Jansen.

He added that he can humbly utilise his resources as a platform from which he can significantly improve the lives of others. 

Inspiration and intellectual stimulation

“Ordinary hardworking people inspire me,” said Jansen. “I have a low tolerance level for mediocrity. When people arrive late and leave early,” Jansen added.

 Jansen goes back to Stanford University annually in order to write. He feels that having his work critiqued there, facilitates academic improvement.

“Without that intellectual stimulation, which I don’t get a lot of in South Africa, I won’t know if I’m improving,” Jansen explained. “That’s something I really work on so that I can have people feel comfortable enough to criticise me,” he added.

It’s no secret that Jansen loves writing. Jansen is a columnist for TimesLive. He has also published a number of books, but one in particular, called Song for Sarah, was written with his sister Naomi. This sibling-collaboration was dedicated to their late mother, who was and still is Jansen’s biggest inspiration in life. 

“My mother represents everything that I am today,” said Jansen. She was hardworking, elegant and had a remarkable effervescence, according to Jansen. And she was brutally honest. He remembers one of her sayings: “Moet nie vir my sê botterrolletjies is rosyntjies nie.” [Don’t tell me butter rolls are raisins.] She taught Jansen the value and importance of stating the blatant truth.

On political correctness

 There are two words that really irk Jansen: “Political correctness.”

 He explained that people are often able to say what they want, without consequences ensuing. They are protected by the words “political correctness,” without repercussions for their unjustified indecency towards others.

“I don’t like the way the term has come to be used, especially in SA, as a way of knocking down people who are critical of disrespect and lies,” said Jansen. 

“It has been used by every ideological colour, to either justify wrongdoing or shut up those who call a spade a spade,” said Jansen. He doesn’t believe that the term has much value in South Africa.

 Being 18

Young individuals put a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves to pursue that which they’ve got their minds set on, he said. 

In hindsight, what would he have told his 18-year-old self?

“Chill, you’ll be fine,” he would have told the younger Jansen. “The world is much more interesting than that one thing you are wanting to pursue.” 

*Please note: This interview was conducted before the nationwide lockdown regulations were implemented.