Some scholars in South Africa have said there is an urgent need to open frank and honest discussions on racism to ensure it does not resurge in the country.
They made the remarks during a discussion panel organized by the Governance School of University of Witwatersrand on Wednesday night.
Former Parliament Speaker, Max Sisulu, told Xinhua that conversation around racism should continue in the country for South Africans to come up with a decision whether to criminalize racism or not.
“We have to encourage debate in the subject so that we can have a collective responsibility. In the past we had to sit down with our former oppressors, apartheid architects, to discuss racism,” the former anti-apartheid stalwart said.
Sisulu said addressing racism will lead to inclusive socio-economic growth in the country.
George Bizos, a lawyer who represented Nelson Mandela in his treason trial, said it was not easy to criminalize racism in the country.
“We must be very careful in criminalizing generalization. I don’t think it would be fruitful. We may have to rely on civil remedies. The best thing is to respond to the vulgarity said in public place,” Bizos said.
Public Protector advocate, Thuli Madonsela, said it was not easy to criminalize racism but some elements of it.
