Racism is still alive, 22 years on – Mbeki

The two-day conference at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand saw a panel of speakers from political and non-governmental organisations, the media and members of the public address the issue of racism. The objectives of the conference included reflecting on the commission’s service to human rights and constitutional democracy over the past 20 years, and to provide a platform for open evaluation of the progress made in light of racism.

Referring to the infamous Penny Sparrow who took to social media to label black beachgoers as monkeys, Mbeki said such utterances were shocking, especially 22 years after South Africa’s democracy.

“We do not deny that sustained efforts that have been made and progress achieved during the last 22 years, however, over the years we have spoken less and less about the fact of the racist legacy whose eradication must constitute the heart and the focal point of the struggle to create a non-racial society visualised in the Constitution,” said Mbeki.

He also mentioned that South Africa was a country of two nations, the rich and the poor, and there was a need to work on reducing the disparities in the quality of lives of all South Africans.

South African Human Rights Commission chairperson, Advocate Mabedle Lourence Mushwana, gave some background to the work done by the commission and said, in spite of the challenges, there were reasons to celebrate the strides made by South Africa in efforts towards human rights issues.

He emphasised, “Racism incidents mean the commission has to double its efforts.”

Other attendees at the conference included Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete, Justice Minister Michael Masutha and Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang.

Details: www.sahrc.org.za