We must not be deterred by few divisive detractors like Ngwize Mchunu and Nhlamulo "Nota" Baloyi who sparked national outrage with their rabid racist rant.
Image: X
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
These are the wise words of the father of our nation, Nelson Mandela. Our challenge as South Africans is to educationally instil love, and stop the fanning of flames of hatred.
We must not be deterred by few divisive detractors like Ngwize Mchunu and Nhlamulo "Nota" Baloyi who sparked national outrage with their rabid racist rant.
In the best interests of peaceful co-existence, the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has escalated the matter to the national Parliament as well as the portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies, and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
The peddling of flawed or fake narratives through overt or covert dissemination of misinformation or disinformation perpetrating misconceptions and malicious mindsets, must stop or be stopped. The flagrant falsifying of the true position of Indians can spawn resentment, ignite hatred and incite violence. Baloyi’s assertion that Indians “have been treated like kings in this country from the beginning” has to be corrected, particularly among our black brothers and sisters.
In pursuance, we have embarked on a concerted outreach educational process. South African Indians have made monumental contributions to the development of our country for the benefit of all, regardless of race, religion, colour or creed.
To distort or deny this legacy is to deny truth itself.
Indians were also previously disadvantaged and oppressed through more than 30 anti-Indian pieces of legislation.
It is a historical fact that it was the Indians who started the epic liberation Struggle against draconian laws and social injustices by forming the Natal Indian Congress on August 22, 1894.
It later dissolved into the ANC. We have requested the South African Human Rights Commission to approach the Equality Court to ensure justice. Hate speech is now a criminal act punishable by law, not just a civil offence under the Equality Act. The use of the overly offensive word “Ama****” impairs the sense of belonging.
We cannot and will not allow any person or persons to trample upon Indian sensitivities with impunity. Intolerance should not be tolerated.
There is no place for racism, racist slurs and slanders in our all-embracing democratic South Africa. Public discourse must be defined by harmony and healing, not acrimony and alienation.
Every patriotic South African can and should contribute, in ways big or small, to social cohesion, unity in diversity, nation building and human solidarity in our beloved country, South Africa.
RAM MAHARAJ
President of the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha