Durban – The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on Friday urged all South Africans to speak out against racism and to lay charges against those guilty of making racist utterances.
IFP national chairperson Blessed Gwala said in a statement released on Friday that the focus of the National Day of Reconciliation should be on nation building and the eradication of racism in the country.
“The IFP calls for concrete action to eradicate the sources and causes of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It further calls upon all citizens to speak out against racism and to lay charges against anyone who promotes racism. These individuals who promote racism must not destroy our peace and the joy in our country,” he said.
He said that there had been an increase in the past year in the number of reported cases of racist utterances.
“If there are people who still discriminate against others on the grounds of their race, religion and colour, it means that we are still far behind in reaching the goal of a united nation. We need to build a nation free from racism and from any form of discrimination. We must condemn this scourge, not offering a safe haven, to those with racist attitudes in our society.”
He said that while the Constitution guaranteed the right to free expression, this was not an unfettered right and had to be exercised within the confines of the law.
“You cannot make remarks contrary to the Constitution and offend South African society. Condemnation against this kind of behaviour is not enough, but such rotten elements must be arrested and prosecuted. We must not allow people to be treated in such a manner in a democratic country by self-centered racists. South Africa is a glass house that must be guarded and protected against such practices,” said Gwala.
He said the IFP condemned the “the persistence and resurgence of violent ideologies based on racial or national prejudice”.
“We also condemn political platforms and organizations based on racism; xenophobia or doctrines of racial superiority and related discrimination. Such attitudes are incompatible with democracy and freedom,” he said.