Johannesburg – Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said on Tuesday he would initiate public dialogues meant to mend race relations among South Africans.
“I do not have all the answers, but what I do know is that any road to reconciliation starts with a conversation. Over the next few weeks, as leader of the opposition, I will initiate a dialogue on race involving South Africans from all walks of life,” he said.
Maimane was speaking on the issue of race relations at Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, where he condemned racism and those who perpertuated it.
He said the public dialogue would be titled “Stand Up, Speak Out”.
He added that the dialogues would not be conducted under a political party banner or by any party representatives.
“People have had enough of politicians telling them how to think and how to feel,” he said. “I believe it is time we allow South Africans to talk for a change.”
Racial injustice was real, and could not be wished away, he said.
Maimane’s address on the issue of race relations follows in the wake of several incidents of racist utterings which have rocked South Africa and unleashed a storm of protest on social media.
African News Agency