Cape Town - Accusations of racism flew during Thursday’s council meeting, just minutes after the acting mayor outlined the progress of the City of Cape Town’s “Inclusive City” campaign.
During his mayoral speech, Brett Herron said the city had spent the past five weeks in “intensive engagement” with sector bodies and the community about ways to deal with racism.
“We wanted to understand, by asking as many people as possible, what we can do to make the business of fighting racism part of the everyday business of government and of other institutions.”
But minutes later, Tony Ehrenreich of the ANC accused the Speaker, Dirk Smit, of being a racist.
Outraged, Smit asked Ehrenreich repeatedly to withdraw the remark.
Eventually, he asked Ehrenreich to leave the chamber.
As the DA councillors applauded, Ehrenreich said: “Are you not a racist?” Smit responded, saying: “I’m not a racist.”
Ehrenreich agreed to withdraw the remark for the purpose of the meeting only.
Later in the meeting, the ANC’s chief whip, Xolani Sotashe, said the city council was an evil organisation characterised by satanism.
He also accused the DA of being “political prostitutes”.
DA councillor Belinda Walker immediately asked: “Who among us are murderers and satanists? It would be helpful to know.”
To which Sotashe replied, “All those who perpetuated the injustices of the past.”
Herron said: “The mayor’s racism campaign, and the success of it, has touched a nerve with the ANC.
“The party’s comments were an attempt to trivialise the campaign,” he added. “The ANC is making no contribution and (the party) is becoming increasingly irrelevant in the City of Cape Town.”
During his speech, Herron said the city therefore planned to hold diversity workshops between and among management and staff as part of its commitment to promoting rights.
The city would also allow Capetonians to complain about racism by contacting the mayor’s office directly via e-mail.
Other proposals include fighting racism on a scheduled basis in its various structures and displaying the city’s anti-racism message at all public events.
“These commitments are part of the lasting legacy of the City of Cape Town against racism,” he said.
Cape Argus