When populism courts bigotry With the results of the American presidential election still fresh in our minds, there are some very poignant lessons to be learnt in its aftermath. In spite of Americans electing their first black president to the White House, Barack Obama, they now appear to have swung entirely in the opposite direction. It is therefore pertinent to ask whether this has been the underlying sentiment among the majority of Americans all along, or whether Obama''s term in office caused extreme polarisation. Suffice to say, it is clear that bigotry rules supreme and that Americans have finally been exposed for what they really are. On the other hand, perhaps America is a nation so desperate for change that they are prepared to accept any change, for better or for worse. If one looks at the first option, then it is no different from what we are experiencing in Southern Africa and in other parts of post-colonial Africa and South America. Populism and neoliberalism are in fact very close together, populists (the Malemas, Zumas and Trumps of the world) inevitably become puppets of neoliberalists after they gain power. Populists appeal to bigots, racists and the downtrodden of society, all those that are swept away on a tide of promises for a better future. Populists will do and say anything to get what they want, they will even appeal to the dark side of humanity and goad it out of its closet. Unfortunately their rhetoric is short-lived, as is their commitment to their election promises, which only emerge at election times. In the meantime, America has propped up many populist regimes in the world to serve their own interests, entrapping their leaders with neoliberalist tactics – but now the tide has turned. Some Americans are crying foul, but it is too little too late. After seeing a world superpower fall victim to populism, let us guard against it and go to the election booths with open eyes, cognisant of the pitfalls of a populist vote and mindful of leaders that don''t keep their election promises.When populism courts bigotry With the results of the American presidential election still fresh in our minds, there are some very poignant lessons to be learnt in its aftermath. In spite of Americans electing their first black president to the White House, Barack Obama, they now appear to have swung entirely in the opposite direction. It is therefore pertinent to ask whether this has been the underlying sentiment among the majority of Americans all along, or whether Obama''s term in office caused extreme polarisation. Suffice to say, it is clear that bigotry rules supreme and that Americans have finally been exposed for what they really are. On the other hand, perhaps America is a nation so desperate for change that they are prepared to accept any change, for better or for worse. If one looks at the first option, then it is no different from what we are experiencing in Southern Africa and in other parts of post-colonial Africa and South America. Populism and neoliberalism are in fact very close together, populists (the Malemas, Zumas and Trumps of the world) inevitably become puppets of neoliberalists after they gain power. Populists appeal to bigots, racists and the downtrodden of society, all those that are swept away on a tide of promises for a better future. Populists will do and say anything to get what they want, they will even appeal to the dark side of humanity and goad it out of its closet. Unfortunately their rhetoric is short-lived, as is their commitment to their election promises, which only emerge at election times. In the meantime, America has propped up many populist regimes in the world to serve their own interests, entrapping their leaders with neoliberalist tactics – but now the tide has turned. Some Americans are crying foul, but it is too little too late. After seeing a world superpower fall victim to populism, let us guard against it and go to the election booths with open eyes, cognisant of the pitfalls of a populist vote and mindful of leaders that don''t keep their election promises.