‘Racism is still an issue in South Africa’ – Kotze

ALBERTON – At home he is a family man who enjoys spending time with his children, in public he is seen as the ‘Afrikaner with the red beret’.

Although he is concerned about his safety, Alberton resident Wiekus Kotze is proud to be a member of the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Many people may still share certain values in common with him, the love he has for South African cricket and rugby among that list.

He is a man who loves his children and values family life highly. However, recent events had him slightly worried about his safety and that of his family. Kotze told the RECORD, “A man sent me a message telling me he has a bullet with my name on.”

Although Kotze does say he continues to ignore threats directed at him, he is more vigilant about his security since an interview he had with Beeld newspaper.

He says, “When I attended the launch of EFF, I did not expect the kind of media frenzy that came afterwards.”

Within hours, Kotze was labelled a traitor by the Afrikaans-speaking public. Some of Alberton RECORD facebook fans questioned, “What are you smoking, or did he promise you a big farm or maybe Zuma’s mansion?”

According to Kotze, “What happened to me is a sign that racism is still an issue. White people need to play their part in reconciliation. In his time Beyers Naudé also took a stand against apartheid and was attacked.”

He believes South Africa is a country where people need to be given equal opportunities. “South Africa has people who live in utter poverty; if nothing is done, we may face a revolution by the people on the ground.

“People need to be treated with dignity, they need to be given jobs and adequate housing,” Kotze concluded.