Racism is 'undermining' SA

2008-03-06 14:11

Cape Town - Cabinet has condemned recent incidents of racism and sexism around the country, saying they have the potential to undermine South Africa's Constitution, a government spokesperson said on Thursday.

"The transgressors must know that there will be legal consequences for undermining the Constitution and trudging the rights of others," government communications head Themba Maseko told a post-Cabinet media briefing at Parliament.

The incidents include the notorious Free State University video, the attack on a young woman wearing a mini-skirt by taxi drivers in Johannesburg, and 2010 local organising committee chairman Irvin Khoza's use of the word "kaffir".

At its regular fortnightly meeting on Wednesday, Cabinet took a dim view of the incidents that had the potential to undermine the country's goal of building a democratic, non-racial and non sexist society, Maseko said.

Major challenge

The meeting strongly condemned the production of a racist video by four students at the University of the Free State.

"The humiliation of workers who are old enough to be their parents is totally unacceptable and cannot, under any circumstances be condoned by anyone.

"This incident highlights the fact that racism still remains one of the major challenges that face our young democracy."

The video exposed deep-seated racist stereotypes harboured by a section of the population and constituted a complete disregard for the rights, not only of the workers of the institution, but a total disrespect for adults, he said.

"Government believes that the majority of South Africans are trying hard to emerge from the apartheid legacy of racial discrimination and no effort must be spared in ensuring that the South African project of building a united nation is not undermined by individuals who are opposed to transformation."

Leadership is needed

The university should show strong leadership by bringing those responsible to book and setting an example to all institutions of higher learning by adopting concrete measures to abolish all forms of racism in the institution.

Cabinet also condemned unreservedly the recent harassment of a young woman by taxi drivers in Johannesburg for wearing a mini-skirt.

"Such an attack represents the most backward and the worst form of gender-based abuse and deserves the condemnation by all South Africans," Maseko said.

"Government calls on all men, and taxi drivers in particular, to stop harassing women and to distance themselves from any sexist and disrespectful behaviour against our mothers and daughters."

The meeting further condemned the use of the "kaffir" word by "a senior soccer official" at a press conference recently.

"We should take care not to use derogatory words that were used to demean black persons in this country.

"Words such as 'Kaffir', 'coolie', 'Boesman', 'hotnot' and many others have negative connotations and remain offensive as they were used to degrade, undermine and strip South Africans of their humanity and dignity," Maseko said.

- SAPA