Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, from left, Imraan Subrathie and Ram Maharaj.
Image: File
Community organisations and political leaders are demanding accountability from music executive Nhlamulo ‘Nota’ Baloyi and radio personality Ngwize Mchunu after they faced backlash for racist remarks.
The video, which was reported for promoting hate speech against Indians, was widely circulated on social media and has since been removed.
Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, founder of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, said racism divided where the spirit of Ubuntu sought to unite.
He called on all leaders, communities, and citizens to reject racism in all its forms and to choose dialogue, respect, and understanding, instead.
“South Africa is built on the strength of its diversity of Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Indian, Coloured, white, and all who call this land home. To attack any one community, is to attack the very fabric of our nation.
“Beneath skin, language and culture, we share one humanity. We cannot speak of peace, harmony, and togetherness while allowing prejudice and hate to take root,” he added.
“I have always respected people. Being humble sometimes makes people underestimate your power. At the end, we bow and say God is in control. We must act now, and make our environment a non- racial society,” he said.
ANC member of Parliament, Imraan Subrathie, said they were pleased that immediate action was taken by the Film and Publications Board after he lodged a complaint.
“Within 24 hours of me reporting the matter to the board, I received confirmation that a take-down notice was issued by the board.
“Additionally, the board issued a notice to draw the public to the seriousness of creating and sharing such posts which incite harm.
“They had laid it bare there is no place for such vile and harmful content in our media spaces. Disrespecting this has consequences,” Subrathie said added
He said he would further escalate the matter to Parliament and other constitutional oversight bodies to ensure it is dealt with, with the seriousness it deserved.
Ram Maharaj, the president of the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha, said his organisation received multiple complaints regarding the podcast.
He said they had written to the South African Human Rights Commission, calling for them to approach the Equality Court to charge Baloyi and Mchunu.
“This rabid racist rant targeting Indians patently constitutes hate speech. The ceasing of releasing of the interview or a disingenuous apology will not suffice as it would be excessively disproportionate to the magnitude and gravity of the pre-mediated crime committed.
“Mchunu’s derogatory and inflammatory word usage is tantamount to a gross violation of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act No 16 of 2023, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024, criminalising hate speech and hate crimes in South Africa.”
Maharaj said Mchunu’s heinous conduct manifested his intent to hurt, humiliate and harm the Indian community.
“The overly offensive use of the word ‘c***ies' impairs the sense of belonging. Our indentured ancestors toiled tirelessly in slave-like conditions and, with the educational advancement as the apex lodestar priority, nurtured future generations who turned scars into stars and contributed sterlingly to the holistic development of South Africa for the improvement of the quality of life of all citizens regardless of race, religion, colour or creed.
“To distort or deny this legacy is to deny the truth itself,” Maharaj added.