Statement condemning recent reports of racism
4 January 2015
"The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation strongly condemns the racist comments and views that infer that black people are like barbarians and should not be allowed onto public beaches.
This is similar to Taj Hotel asking the Cape Minstrels to remain silent on their parade route because hotel clients would be 'disturbed'.
Many African families save for months to get to the seaside on New Year's day.
We must recall the struggle to open our beaches to all during the 80s and cannot pander to the views of people who seek to take us back to separate beaches and other facilities. There will be no going back to that era. Those who continue advocating these conservative, racist views must be challenged and penalised through our Equality Courts. Racism has no place in this country. People who insist on holding onto such crudely racist views should perhaps consider moving to places where their views will be more acceptable.