We don’t want racism

Nobody can deny that we are currently experiencing a time of heightened racial tension – not only in our nation but also worldwide.

This is precisely why it is appropriate that justice was seen to be done this week in the wake of estate agent Penny Sparrow’s infamous racist remarks earlier this year. After she pleaded guilty to a charge of crimen injuria and entered a plea bargain agreement with the State, she was fined R5 000 with the alternative of a 12-month prison sentence.

In his sentencing, Magistrate Vincent Hlatswayo said we cannot allow ourselves to be taken back to the years of apartheid after 20 years of democracy. In June, the Equality Court also ordered Sparrow to pay R150 000 to the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation after her racist Facebook diatribe.

All this sends a clear message to all South Africans that racism will not be tolerated in our country.

In stark contrast to the global picture of growing intolerance of people who are not the same as you, a very different picture emerges when we look at our local Joburg communities. The amount of goodwill generated in these diverse community groups is inspiring, to say the least. Neighbours are reaching out across colour and language barriers to support, help and care for one another.

Anti-racism stalwart, Ahmed Kathrada, recently spoke about a similar experience when he was invited to speak at a local school. “I saw a gathering of young people of all races attending the same school, sitting next to each other on the same floor, attentively listening to talks about racism, discrimination and human rights.”

For him, this was ‘a snapshot of what South African society is capable of practically achieving through the bridging of racial divides’.

He also added that these young people could teach their parents a thing or two about non-racism.

We echo Kathrada’s words.