Thembisile Ndabeni
Cape Town - The process of dehumanisation, degrading, discrimination, and disrespect of black people has continued in this country after 1994. Even the democratically-elected government could not be a safe haven for black people.
Black people have been called names, beaten up, told they are useless, buried alive and killed.
How ironic that the majority oppressed under colonialism and apartheid are still discriminated against under the democracy they achieved through their votes after the Struggle.
What is the government doing in defending them against their tormentors who are even against government and democracy?
Where is the government, the tormented people elected, relevant Chapter 9 institutions and the courts of law?
The wrong precedent was not effectively and holistically punishing the white boys who beat up a black boy Lindelani Khanyile, yet Andrew Babeile was sent to jail for defending himself against a gang of white racist boys and their parents, with the blessing of their teachers.
How many cases has the South African Human Rights Commission investigated since its inception and what did it do with them?
What sentences did the courts hear and what did they do? If they are effective, why are the racists continuing with racism?
The media was curious when it came to Jacob Zuma’s treatment in jail but were they curious about treatment of racists in jail?
Are they curious enough, as they were with Zuma, about the racists who killed black people in Phoenix and other racists? Will it be curious enough about this racist youth?
Committing a crime is recorded -- making it difficult for a person to find employment. If the country is taking racism seriously, why is committing racism not recorded (like a racist’s record) in the same way as a criminal record?
Racism cases do not really go far, and some are ignored because they affect people of colour and the poor. The debate about there being no justice for the poor is not something new in South Africa.
The recent racist incident at Stellenbosch University is the tip of the iceberg. As a person who has been interacting with black students from that institution, I have been informed how rife racism is there. This should be investigated broadly at the institution. Lecturers need to be investigated as well. At a broader level is the possibility of the failing of black students by racist tutors and lecturers. It is not always easy to report to the Student Representative Council or belong to a student organisation.
Racists must face the consequences of their actions. Organs of state, Chapter 9 institutions and the judiciary must not fail society.
Victims of racism must report or ask assistance from the relevant people if they are scared. Courts and the NPA must do their part, listen, and prosecute after they are satisfied. As a Chapter 9 institution, the South African Human Rights Commission must play its part, and execute the duty for which it is established.
Society must inform the nation through media networks. Being exposed is what the government, state, and their institutions fear.
Also, perpetrators of racism must be named and shamed. They must suffer emotionally as much as their victims.
It is white supremacy that needs to be totally dismantled. Inferiority complex is one dimension. For one or two groups to refer to others as “sir” “madam”, “mevrou”, “juffrou” is uncalled for. If that reference must be done it must be applicable to all people, especially based on age. But on colour, no. Colour is what racism/white supremacy is focused on.
The issue of class is secondary. If you say it’s based on class then you are saying Mandela, Tutu and others were never discriminated against. You are saying Patrice Motsepe has never or will never be discriminated against. Class enhances racism.
For example, sometimes, a poor person of colour is treated worse than the rich or educated. What is interesting is for a desperate political party to have the audacity to call people from a certain group heroes for killing black people.
It is quite interesting that this ugly act of racism is happening in a racist province that wants to cede the independent Western Cape. If racism is rife now in the province that wants to break away from South Africa, how much more so would it be when it is independent with its own Constitution? Independent states of South Africa, partition of South Africa, and federalism is nothing else but division of a country to enhance white supremacy.
Where are the white people on bikes with one or two black people who demonstrated against the killing of white farmers? Are they not supposed to do the same now, against racism?
One of the greatest sons of Africa, Haile Selassie, regarded by the Rastas as king of kings, once said: “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph”.
Having Professor Thuli Madonsela in the institution, Stellenbosch is just pulling the wool over the eyes of the country.
In response to the recent racism-based attack in America, President Joe Biden said, “White supremacy is a poison. We cannot remain silent. We are all children of God.”
Why are predominantly-white political parties of South Africa not saying that? Are they shy?
Ndabeni is a former history tutor at UWC and a former educator at Bulumko Senior Secondary in Khayelitsha.
Cape Times