Home » South Africans Urged to Ignore Fringe Racists Who’ve Hijacked Protests. WATCH Locals Clean Up Protest Trash!

South Africans Urged to Ignore Fringe Racists Who’ve Hijacked Protests. WATCH Locals Clean Up Protest Trash!

Protests at the Hoerskool Overvaal in Gauteng, South Africa, have been hijacked by racial bigots both black and white, turning an important legal question into a racially divisive and violent confrontation, says Democratic Alliance Leader Mmusi Maimane. He urged South Africans to pursue a reconciled SA and ignore the fringe racists who are dominating the […]

By SAPeople Contributor
20-01-18 00:08
in Education

Protests at the Hoerskool Overvaal in Gauteng, South Africa, have been hijacked by racial bigots both black and white, turning an important legal question into a racially divisive and violent confrontation, says Democratic Alliance Leader Mmusi Maimane. He urged South Africans to pursue a reconciled SA and ignore the fringe racists who are dominating the media, and who only represent their own bigoted views and not all of South Africa.

Maimane said there have been a number of examples of “egregious hate speech” by both sides of the dispute… deliberately fuelled by “certain Education Department officials and by the MEC for Education” (Panyaza Lesufi).

Maimane acknowledged that citizens are entitled to protest peacefully and hold their own (lawful) views, but said violent protests – or views that qualify as hate speech or incitement of violence – should be strongly condemned.

Video evidence has come to light of alleged EFF members threatening to kill white South Africans and singing “Kill the Boer”. (And in one message on social media, a Gauteng resident wrote: “one bullet, een Boere kind“.)

Maimane said this qualifies as racist hate speech and should be condemned by all, and that the EFF should distance itself from these individuals. (In 2011, the Equality Court in Joburg ruled that the words ‘shoot the Boer’ amounted to Hate Speech, in a case in which AfriForum had taken Julius Malema – then ANC Youth League leader to court for chanting the song.)

“Similarly, posts by far-right white racists using disgusting racial epithets to describe protestors, and threatening to arm themselves, is equally condemnable and illegal,” said Maimane.

“If we continue to pursue an eye for an eye, it will only result in a blind nation.”

The DA leader said it’s the result of certain people deliberately fanning the flames of racial tension to score quick political points.

He said as evidence before the Gauteng High Court showed, this issue need never have escalated in the way that it now has.

“It was escalated deliberately by certain Education Department officials and by the MEC for Education, but with no regard to the consequences for the community or indeed for the country.

“We urge the public not to assume that the fringe racists that dominate the media at these protests represent all South Africans…

“They represent only their own bigoted views and have very little if any broader public support. They are desperate for the brief spotlight that these issues afford them…” (Some men, cleaning up after the mess left by protesters, can be heard on a video below complaining that the media aren’t interested in showing positive actions.)

Maimane said: “We must always pursue a reconciled South Africa. This does not mean getting together and holding hands but rather building a reconciled nation that opens up economic and educational opportunities.

“If we continue to pursue an eye for an eye, it will only result in a blind nation.”

Maimane urged all involved in the protests to respect the rule of law and await the decision of the courts, and said: “we will not hesitate to take legal action against those propagating hate speech or inciting violence.”

One powerful message on social media said it most simply: “Please remember – the children are watching… and learning, from you.”

Where’s the Media now? Cleaning Up After the Protests at Overvaal Hoerskool:

https://www.facebook.com/Varkolis/videos/o.184548831948/2199208463426214/?type=2&theater

https://twitter.com/Panda_Mamma/status/953928592878129154