Did Xingwana apologise unconditionally or did she attempt to justify her remarks?

The Afrikanerbond has noted in the media that the minister offered an apology. However the impression is that she then tried to justify her statements, instead of offering an unconditional apology to Calvinist Afrikaners who own their women and children and may therefore take that life. In the half-hearted apology it is offered to those "she may have offended." It is not an acknowledgment that she was wrong and voiced blatant untruths to the world.

In several interviews yesterday afternoon she constantly tried to explain that she was quoted out of context, which incidentally is the oldest political football and excuse in the book. The transcript on the ABC network as well as the visuals tell a different story. We get the impression that she believes her own propaganda, and tried to justify it until the late hours of Wednesday, 27 February but then reluctantly and under pressure attempted to offer some apology.

Where culture and faith may contribute to the oppression and even violence against women and children this must be debated. Where men are guilty of crimes it is necessary for strict action, irrespective of culture and irrespective of religion. However, this is not the issue. She targeted a specific religion and culture and accused them of taking lives. It is for this statement that she must admit she was wrong and it is for this statement that she must apologise unconditionally without attempting to then justify it.

Therefore, our letter to the president is still valid as it is one of his ministers who made crass accusations, which borders on hate speech.

Statement issued by Jan Bosman, Chief Secretary of the Afrikanerbond, February 28 2013

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