Apology to Ndebele and the ACTION Support Centre

UPDATE: 12 August, 12.30

Alex News reported on the Africa Day Celebrations and Cultural Festival that took place on 23 May 2015 at the Alexandra Stadium, headlined “Africa Day Festival is boycotted” (week ending 29 May 2015).

The day started off at 9am with a march from Pan Africa Mall to the Alexandra Stadium. The aim of the event was to make a stand against xenophobia, Afrophobia and criminal violence. The event was co-organised by the ACTION Support Centre, and was also aimed at promoting diversity and social cohesion. Co-hosts of the event included the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Department of Sports, Art and Culture, COSATU, the Somali Association of South Africa and  the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa.

Mr Philani Ndebele, who has lodged a complaint about the story with the Press Ombudsman, was one of the organisers, and also the MC.

Alex News stated as fact, both in the story and in the headlines (both on the front-page and on an inside page), that the event had been “boycotted” – a statement which was fiercely contested by Ndebele. At a meeting held with the Ombudsman it became clear that Alex News should have attributed this statement to a source (if someone indeed has said it).  The newspaper did not do so, thereby unfairly and unjustifiably presenting our assumption as fact.

Alex News also did not contact Ndebele or the ACTION Support Centre for comment regarding the alleged boycott before publication, as prescribed by the Press Code.

Alex News retracts the statement made about the event having been boycotted by community members, and apologises for the serious, unnecessary harm caused to Ndebele and the ACTION Support Centre as a result of the article.

INITIAL REPORT: 25 May 2015

Conspicuous in their absence on the 23 May celebrations were the residents of Alexandra and the immigrant community which bore the brunt of the xenophobic violence which claimed the life of Mozambican national, Emmanuel Sithole alias Manuel Jonas.

Sithole was stoned and stabbed to death allegedly by four youths from the Madala Hostel who are currently awaiting trial for his murder.

Only the organisers, performers and a handful of grannies attended. Not even the councillors from the City of Johannesburg turned up, despite being invited.

“I don’t blame the community of Alexandra for not attending the event. I blame our government for not recognising this day and declaring it a public holiday like the rest of Africa. That alone does not place the required importance on the day,” said Cosatu communication officer, Norman Mampane.

Known as the Africa Day Walk and Cultural Festival which marks the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, it was billed as an event that would showcase traditional African dress from various countries, and feature their traditional foods at stalls and other exhibitions, all of which were non-existent.

Philani Ndebele, campaign manager from the Action Support Centre, said in an interview that Alex people had gone to work, hence their absence; while the immigrant community too had decided to continue with their usual chores.

“I agree with the idea that the South African government must consider declaring this day a public holiday so that South Africans, too, can attach the great importance that the day holds in other African countries,” Ndebele said.

One of the organisers, who preferred to remain anonymous, was concerned by what she called ‘the hijacking of the day’ by the ANC and its alliance partners. “Why should people come to a community event wearing their party shirts and colours?” she asked

“This is not a political rally of the ANC but a community event at which people of various political persuasions are expected to attend. If I am not an ANC member why should I attend an ANC event or better still, one that has been hijacked but punted as a community event.”