Gayton’s GNU colleague says SA should reject the K-word and ‘Kill the Boer’ chants
DA leader John Steenhuisen has denounced Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, his GNU colleague, for using the K-word.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen recently joined the growing calls for action against Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader McKenzie sparked a racial scandal after taking a strong stance on remarks made during the Open Chat podcast.
During a live video addressing the controversy, McKenzie used the K-word. Since then, several older videos have surfaced, prompting many people to demand his removal.
CONSISTENCY NEEDED IN ADDRESSING HATE SPEECH
At a media briefing, Steenhuisen, who serves as agriculture minister, commented on the remarks made by his Government of National Unity (GNU) colleague.
“I don’t think that language has any place in South Africa, just as singing Kill the Boer has no place in South Africa,” he said.
Steenhuisen stressed the importance of applying the same standard to all individuals who make inflammatory comments.
“There needs to be consistency, and when one party or person is called out, that consistency needs to carry through across the board,” he said.
The DA has consistently opposed the chanting of Kill the Boer. Earlier this year, the Constitutional Court rejected advocacy group AfriForum’s application to appeal a ruling that the song does not constitute hate speech.
In 2022, the Equality Court ruled in favour of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), deciding that the song did not qualify as hate speech. However, the DA argues that the song incites violence, fuels hatred, and deepens societal divisions.
MCKENZIE DEFIANT AMID PUBLIC OUTCRY
Despite the intense scrutiny, McKenzie insists that he is not racist, saying the accusations are false.
“I will no longer answer false racism accusations. I have work to do, elections are around the corner,” said the PA leader.