Afrikaners so touchy, says DJ
2006-08-31 08:41
Cape Town - 5FM DJ Gareth Cliff has done it again. And no, he is not going to apologise.
"Afrikaners are so touchy, they always look for reasons to fight with people," Cliff said in reaction to a complaint from a dissatisfied listener that he apparently made degrading and insulting comments about Afrikaans-speaking people.
Heléne Lötter said Cliff's remarks were not suitable for young people, who comprise the greater percentage of the station's listeners.
Cliff apparently said: "What do you think of Afrikaans families who combine the mom's and dad's names to create a name for the child? Isn't that arrogant? It's like playing with yourself. For example, the dad's name is Johan and the mother's is Marie, and then the poor child is christened Jo-Marie."
Lötter wants Cliff to prove that only Afrikaners use this method of naming.
Lötter lodged the complaint with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa and thinks this commentary, which was broadcast on Tuesday on Cliff's morning broadcast, The Best of the Gareth Cliff Show, is unacceptable.
"He dismissed us as second-class people. There's nothing wrong with humour, but sometimes things can go too far.
"People tend to say Afrikaners are stupid, arrogant or racist. We need fewer negative people like Gareth. He must apologise to all Afrikaans speakers," she said.
Meanwhile Cliff has said he will not apologise.
"A listener sent me the idea, I merely read it out on the air. I'm Afrikaans myself, but if people are touchy, it's their problem, not mine," he said.
Complaints Commission registrar Shouneez Martin confirmed that the commission had received the complaint.
"We asked the broadcaster (5FM) for an answer and a recording of the programme and then we'll decide what the next step is," she said.
On the net:
www.garethcliff.com
www.5fm.co.za