At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa proved his worth as a leader. From the time that he announced the start of the nationwide lockdown, he was supported by large numbers of South Africans, all holding their heads high as our formidable and inclusive leader took charge of the problem.
We saw South Africans from all over the country changing their profile pictures to empowered under-chin shots of our fearless President, with the SA flag draped in the background. We cared about the pressure he was under and most importantly we put all our faith in his competence and of course we believed in his compassion for all South Africans.
His emotional speeches saw South Africans of all races and religions support and cheer him on while viewing him as a symbol of hope and strength.
But does President Ramaphosa really have the best interests of all South Africans at heart? Or does he favour those of a specific race?
Following the death of George Floyd and the Black lives matter movement gaining global momentum, a video clip of President Ramaphosa sharing his views on the situation went viral and took many South Africans by surprise.
In the video, President Ramaphosa said, “This sense of a natural order of things that encourages white South Africans to racist outbursts, where you find white South Africans thinking they have the licence to call black people monkeys.”
He added that this behaviour enables black academics to be overlooked for promotion in institutes of high learning, as well as labour tenants to be evicted from their land.
But this is not where the video ended, Ramaphosa said the behaviour of whites also entered the home field as well, encouraging men to abuse their wives.
The full video can be viewed here: https://twitter.com/DaanBarnard/status/1269611339892359169?s=08
How can a leader of a country make such generalisations when denouncing racial behaviour in the very same breath? How can whites, in general, be blamed for racial discrimination or domestic violence throughout a country? Most white South Africans are not racist nor inflict nor condone abuse.
Following the video, President Ramaphosa called on white South Africans to assist in creating an inclusive economy, instead of holding onto the privileges of the past.
This follows Ramaphosa responding to questions during a hybrid sitting of the National Assembly on June 18, when he was questioned on how to grow the economy by Freedom Front MP Pieter Groenewald.
“An inclusive economy is what should be occupying you, honourable Groenewald, in your mind and everything you do, rather than let us continue holding onto the privileges that white people have always had in this country,” Ramaphosa said.
Adding to Groenewald’s questions around the economy, Ramaphosa said the privileges which were given to white people under apartheid were unsustainable. Not only did Ramaphosa say it served the country badly, but he added the country’s economy is where it is today, due to the fact that in the past, the country focused on just a few and giving privileges to a few and not advancing privileges to all.
Controversially, during a follow-up question, when Groenewald asked Ramaphosa whether it was time to scrap Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) to ensure inclusive growth, Ramaphosa said not only was BBBEE here to stay, but felt it needed to be enhanced.
This is despite Groenewald asking, “You have asked the youth to get involved in building South Africa. Does that include all the youth? Does that include, black, white, coloured and Indian?”
With scores of people upset and shocked about the president’s recent comments, was his statement misunderstood and is racism still an issue in South Africa?
According to Newcastle Mayor, Cllr Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, racism is still a major issue in our country. An issue which he believes needs to be addressed.
He emphasises that as a democratic country, judging people on their race, gender or religious beliefs are things of the past.
Cllr Dr Mahlaba points out that the ANC believes that no form of racism should be tolerated in the slightest.
This can be found in the political party’s constitution where it states that the aims and objectives of the ANC are:
* To unite all the people of South Africa, Africans in particular, for the complete liberation of the country from all forms of discrimination and national oppression.
* To end apartheid in all its forms and transform South Africa as rapidly as possible into a united, nonracial, non-sexist and democratic country based on the principles of the Freedom Charter (Appendix 2) and in pursuit of the National Democratic Revolution.
Furthermore, the ANC’s constitution highlights not only is the party a non-racial and non-sexist and democratic liberation movement, but in its composition and functioning, it shall be democratic, non-racial and non-sexist and combat any form of racial, tribalistic or ethnic exclusivism or chauvinism.
With this in mind, Cllr Dr Mahlaba explains that the ANC-led Newcastle Municipality will not tolerate any form of racism. He explains that if any staff member acts in a racist manner, serious steps will be taken against the respective staff member.
According to the Newcastle Mayor, it is important to take steps against racism, as it hampers progress.
“We call on the Newcastle community, farmers, workers, NPOS and all residents to join hands in unity,” he says.
Furthermore, Cllr Dr Mahlaba believes education plays an important role in combating racism. This, he says, is because one of the biggest causes of racism is a lack of education.
“Racism is intertwined with ignorance and is counter-progressive. We need people to rather unite together,” he emphasises.
Dr Imran Keeka, MPL and the DA spokesperson on education, also believes racism is an issue within our country. However, he does not feel the ANC is the vehicle to address the matter.
“My belief stems from years of being in the front-line as a member of the opposition and facing what can only be described as abusive conduct by the ANC, particularly within the walls of the Provincial Legislature. On one occasion, my religious attire was insulted from the podium by a current MEC and senior ANC leader. Then there is the ANC’s incessant desire to speak of race – but in a manner that has nothing to do with fostering equality,” he says.
Furthermore, he says it is a tragedy that race-related, disgraceful, vile and despicable utterances and incidents in our country are becoming all the more frequent.
“This hate is a crime and must be condemned by all South Africans. We must know that we are better together, and our diversity must unify us, rather than the opposite,” he concludes.
The KZN Provincial Deputy Chairperson for the EFF and member of the KZN Legislature, Mongezi Twala, also feels the ANC is not doing enough to address racism within the country.
“Racism is still very much an issue in South Africa and the ANC are too scared to address it and are succumbing to the system. Stricter measures need to be implemented, where people found guilty of racism need to face the consequences of their actions,” he says.
While believing that racists need to face charges, Twala explains that racism is a mindset which people need to liberate themselves from.
“People need to stop seeing different races. We should rather see each other as human and not classify certain races as sub-human,” he emphasises.
Through stronger actions against racism and education, Twala feels that it is only through addressing racism head-on that we as a country can overcome the issue of racism.
For the most part, the average, hard-working South African regardless of race or religion just wants to go about their day, chasing their dreams, dealing with life and all that comes with it.
We are all suffering due to corruption and created hate. We are one people, all born and raised with green and gold in our veins. Please don’t lose that to someone else’s insanity.
No person is better than the next and I honestly believe most of us feel like this. This anger and hate are not from the people but is rather aimed at the people.
We must unite as one in order to ultimately end racism and be an example throughout time, referred to by historians for thousands of years to come as the nation who set in motion global healing, evolution and prosperity for all.
We only have one very short life, and do you want to hate or fear throughout this short existence we get one chance at? I think not! Let’s get back to work, let us block out the drivers of racism who are enslaving our minds. We can change our magnificent country, only if we all are chasing the same goal. Equality for all…
