Hurtful, hateful… Infuriating. That’s how many South Africans have referred to the race row which erupted on social media in the past week.
At the centre of it all was a white South African woman called Penny Sparrow. Talking about holiday makers on Durban’s popular beachfront, Sparrow referred to Black people as ‘monkeys’ on her Facebook page. She complained about “black on black skins” and said letting them loose on public beaches was “inviting huge dirt and troubles.”
Many across the political spectrum have called for action to be taken against her. And they want stricter laws that will see racism and hate speech declared a crime. A furious war of words has also erupted between President Jacob’s Zuma’s ruling party the ANC and Mmusi Maimane, the leader of the Opposition Democratic Alliance.
Speaking on the South African Broadcasting Corporation, President Zuma slammed the DA Leader for saying the ANC was not doing enough to uphold Nelson Mandela’s legacy
President Jacob Zuma said South Africa had addressed institutionalised racism since 1994 and that the problem that remained was that of individuals who still harboured racism and prejudice. South Africa had addressed institutionalised racism since 1994, way before many New South Africans were born.
Nelson Mandela said it had been A Long Walk To Freedom. And it appears the Road To Non-Racialism And Reconciliation could take even longer.
