Malema's fixation with Afrikaners – political leaders will have to deal with the consequences

15 November 2016  

It is clear that Mr Julius Malema of the EFF has a fixation with Afrikaners. His remarks this morning in Bloemfontein finally dispelled any doubts. Afrikaners will, however, not be prescribed to by Mr Malema or anybody else.

The Afrikanerbond is on record that statements and pronouncements made by Mr Malema since 2009 have been deeply divisive for the South African society. He is undermining our constitutional values, including a non-racial society and the democratic values ​​of human dignity, equality and freedom. His comments not only threatens personal safety and security, but also national security.

We have already seen the consequences of the EFF’s involvement in violence on university campuses. At these campuses the initial motive was support for the #FeesMustFall campaign, only later did it become an opportunity to encourage racial hatred. The recent slogans at Wits, filled with hatred against Jews, has clearly shown what their real agenda is. Today in Bloemfontein the hate speech was directed at the Afrikaners.

There should be no doubt that Mr Malema has a dangerous vendetta against whites. He and the EFF want to undo the quest for national unity and political compromises of the last two decades.

Political mobilisation on the basis of ethnicity and racial hatred is dangerous and downright irresponsible. Mr Malema and the EFF leadership will have to take full responsibility for unleashing and inciting such rhetoric against whites amongst their supporters. For too long political leaders were allowed to undermine the constitution, increasingly rendering the political system unstable.

In normal democracies it is expected that individuals and political leaders will be held accountable for their words and deeds by their respective political parties. In Mr Malema's case, however, this is not happening. Individuals, and political leaders in particular, should and must be held accountable and responsible. And, in cases where anarchy follows, they will not be able to merely distance themselves from it. There has been an increase in racial slurs, bordering on blatant hate speech, recently in public statements which do not belong in the new South Africa. Political leaders will have to bear the consequences of such inflammatory statements, especially when their followers put words into action.

Issued by Jan Bosman, Chief secretary, Die Afrikanerbond, 15 November 2016