Condemn racism in all its forms, urges Mokonyane

Thursday, September 20, 2018

With just days to go before South Africa commemorates Heritage Day, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has called on South Africans to frown upon racism.

“This is an ongoing thing that all of us South Africans continue to talk about and we must continue to frown upon the minority in our communities that seek to continuously take us back,” said Mokonyane on Thursday.

The Minister’s comments follow the arrest of former Durban councillor Kessie Nair, who was arrested after the surfacing of a Facebook video of him using a derogatory word to refer to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The video emerged as South Africa gears up to celebrate Heritage Day on Monday.

Briefing media following Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting in Tshwane, Mokonyane said racist remarks also gain traction on social media platforms.

“I think all of us as a nation must frown upon that and condemn the minority that continues to seek to perpetuate racial divisions, worse still in the month of heritage…”

Such comments, Mokonyane said, ought to be condemned.

“We definitely have to look at that. It has now exposed a lot of individuals who harbour backward, divisive attitudes against one another and we definitely have to condemn that - whether it is against the President or [anyone else]. It is just not acceptable.”

Heritage Month is commemorated annually in South Africa, with Heritage Day having first been celebrated in the country since 1996.

Cabinet called on the public to celebrate their unity in diversity as part of work to build a South Africa where all people care for and respect one another.

The national celebrations will be held at Riverview Stadium in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, under the theme ‘The Year of Nelson Mandela: Advancing transformation of South Africa’s heritage landscape’.

The celebrations form part of the month-long programme of activities, which are addressing issues of transformation, promotion and preservation of South Africa’s rich and diverse heritage, national identity, nation-building and social cohesion.

The celebrations in Kokstad are in honour of Adam Kok and the Griqua community for their courage, determination and fortitude in resisting colonial occupation. – SAnews.gov.za