ANC statement on racist comments
The African National Congress condemns in the strongest terms unwarranted comments posted on social media by well known Economist, Mr Chris Hart and Miss Penny Sparrow an estate agent with one of the leading estate agent companies in South Africa (see below).
These racially painful and disrespectful posts have gone to the extend of calling black people of this country as "monkeys". Such remarks are reminiscent of the apartheid attitude towards the indigenous people of this country. They also degrade black people as people not deserving of using the beaches in their country of birth. They further accuse the majority of our country, who are mostly black, as having a sense of entitlement and hatred towards the minority.
The ANC finds these comments as degrading and disrespectful to our people and undermines all efforts to build a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa. These kind of views and opinions do not belong in the democratic South Africa we are building.
The ANC rejects these comments with the contempt they deserve and calls on all South Africans to join in the rejection of all racists in our country, wherever they are. It is sad that well meaning South Africans have to contend with this backward attitude.
"The ANC is pleased with the widespread condemnation of theses comments and also calls for the isolation of any racist actions coming from any individuals or group in our country. The ANC remains committed to the democratic project of building a non-racial and non-sexist society, the foundation of which the ANC was formed."
Mr Hart and Ms Sparrow should have know better and should not be allowed to polarize our society. We have made great progress in building this nation and no amount of racism from individuals or groups must be allowed in our society.
These individuals must also be reminded that this country comes from a very painful past where many people lost their lives and families robbed of their loved ones. We must work together to build a prosperous nation united in our diversity.
Together we must move South Africa forward!
Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC national spokesperson, 4 January 2016
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