@ zee...good question, sometimes I think we enjoy living according to historical stereotypes. The most depressing part is that the people on here represent the 'better' than average South African, those with education, access to the internet and one assumes relatively intelligent.

There is no room in SA anymore for racism from either side! We have different cultures but we can co-exist in peace.

1) Racism: ZERO TOLERANCE should be instigated! Racism is a NO-NO! 2) I am coloured! 3) I think BEE has gone on long enough and should stop. I dont think anybody should be discriminated against. Eg Post-94 born whites had nothing to do with apartheid. In fact, many whites had nothing to do with apartheid. Now they are second-best when it comes to jobs! That, to me, is opression and discrimination. Jobs (and the like) should be earned on merit! 4) RE Virgin-Active: Right of admission is reserved! No racism should be tolerated. Any evidence produced that implicates any member in a racial attack should NOT be tolerated. Permanent banning is EXACTLY the right thing to do. 5) One CAN make generalisations about race-groups. It doesnt mean all members of this race-group adopt such values. But across the board it may be so. Eg. Blacks, generally, do not have as good a work ethic as whites. That is a fact, not a racist comment! This may change as blacks, generally, change the cultural mindset. Another example: Many blacks have now adopted a false sense of superiority; this may come across as an image of inferiority complex. As the maxim goes: just be yourself. Black people have a long way to go in adopting more sound principles to make this country a success. The reality is, white people are more grounded in sound work principle than their black counterparts. All race groups should be adopting positive characteristics from the other. 6) there is an ambiguity in this constitution. There is the Equality Act that PROHIBITS discriminstion along the lines of any demographic (race, sex, age etc). Affirmative Action is contradictory to the Equality Act. Apartheid is very much alive!

You can voice your disapproval over the hogging of equipment without being a racist pig.

@Ali, wrote IOL Comments 10:34am on 14 February 2012 - You say BEE was to undo what? The economy in South africa was built by whites, so plz dont tell me it that beeaa are to undo wrongs, so you are saying we should not have brought an economy to south africa? Well i hope they keep up with BEEAA because then they will have another zimbabwe on their hands, you cannot say whites are the solution cause now they have given us the economy and bad because you were excluded from the economy before, everyone is excluded that isnt educated, and once again whites cannot be the solutionand problem at the same time for all the issues in africa, in africa time and time again they have killed the goose that lays the golden egg, watch how south africa goes. BEE is pure theft, it is communism and they are using every excuse to get it right and pull it off, well you see what happens to countries that implement communism - They all fail!!

Well done Mr Richard Branson, we certainly don't need such scum among us! yerrr...these people can be so negative and backward.

When will we grow as a nation and see each other as human beings not classify each other through colour?I guess some people cannot move along with times.

@Anon at 10:45. Please try to understand that Virgin Active is not a court of law. There is not even a thin mention that Justice's ban was initiated simply because a criminal case has been opened. I wasn't there and i won't comment on the incident hence is all about 'racism. @Anon at 10:40. I agree with you. Nomakhaphetshu's comment was uncalled for thus irrelevant.

@Anonymous 10:45am on 14 February 2012 As it occurred to you that there were witnesses? That the man may have admitted it? by the way "Innocent until proven guilty" applies to criminal law not rules of the gym.

So he was banned just because a case was opened. What happened to innocent until proven guilty.

Richard my Boy, i know you will relate to that slur "my boy" coming from Europe and all. The masses in Sa think that when you call them "boy" think its a major slur boy. So me man as a Langer from Cork what do you think of the word uMlungu? Can people bandy this around boy. without offence being taken? Top of the morning to all yer racist complainers out there.

@ Nomakhaphetshu - I have had my glasses stolen from VA and i'm white and nothing has happened. What exactly was the point of your comment. Stuff getting stolen at the gym is completely non related to this story. If you so upset about your shoes getting stolen and the lack of response from your gym report it on Hello Peter or something. Don't complain here about it and make a comment like that. It is really not necessary.

@Martin, I hate racists - well, there should be time limits on all equipment. The likes of you take 5 minute breaks between sets anyway, so why not let someone else use it while you wait? (Oh, noo, you have to reset the weight! Gasp!). There are those of use who are serious about staying in shape, without trying to build our bodies until we look like freaks. We pay the same fees you do. We have as much right to use that equipment as you do. I haven't seen any signs specifying that certain equipment is for "elite members" only...

It is good that Virgin Active has taken a dim view of "racism" and calling people names, and acted decisively! Race relations in SA will take some time to normalise, when all those born before 1994 are gone! As for now, its really hit & miss! A relative of a friend living in the US was only alerted by a Security guard at a complex hospital of more than 1000 employees - she's a doctor born of SA parents, studied in the UK, then works and resides in US all her life! The guy said to her, doctor we are the two black people in this hospital, to which she had never noticed it that way! @Fred, just stop there before you go far BEE is not racist - its a "redress" for past imbalances, there is nothing like job or place reservation for black people in SA! Please do not lie to those who do not know better. If that employer ACSA is discriminating against white kids who want opportunities to train as Air Controllers, it is against the law and you can take them to court! As for you @Peter discontinuing your membership, it is maybe good riddance - but again, dont exergerate black people will be equally guilty of racism if they insult a white person!

Dear No Lnger South African take off your noiseth Africa, we don't need you, you wished South Africa bad when you departure and you always leasoning anything about SOuth Africa, you will never see the Old South Africa, We are proud South African and Virgin Active showed that, South Africans, you will never loose anything to say sorry to your fellow, and that will never change what you are.But those are not sure about this country , please go to your heavenly Country and leave us alone. Thanks Virgin Activate.

Hahahahaha, some comments here are funny. "I will be cancelling my membership"-as if Virgin Active will go bankrupt if you do. Get off your high horse, please

@Judy 9.44 – Judy did not run away, she just went back where she came from and where she belongs. I am going to follow her soon. If you are white you will also be following her in a few years from now. If you disagree with me then you are blind like most of the whites in SA.

This is why I train at home. No smelly bodies, no overfed and unattractive patrons, no loud music, no arrogant staff, no confrontations, pure blisssssss !

Can't these Complainants grow up and show a little courtesy to others!!! Just like the John Terry fiasco!!! Whites are never right or are they?

I think that although Planet Fitness is a competitor they should get the name of this person and blacklist them too. As a younger white South African I cannot wait till we are older and all the generations with hang ups have "moved on". Being positive and knowing my generation will make a difference!