Dr. Reneva Fourie
THE history of apartheid in South Africa has brought attention to conservative, white, right-wing extremism. This has led to a prevailing myth that those from the oppressed sections of society cannot be racist.
However, it is important to recognise that the abuse of racial tensions and conditions of poverty by right-wing populist leaders witnessed in Europe and the Americas can also occur in South Africa. This potential for abuse by any leader is a significant reminder of the imperative to remain vigilant.
Some domestic political party leaders, akin to right-wing populists in other nations, are dangerously inciting racial discord. This divisive rhetoric not only inflicts harm but also poses a grave threat to the social fabric of our society, as demonstrated by the racial direction that the July 2021 uprising took in KwaZulu-Natal.
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has faced accusations of hate speech and inciting violence. Mzwanele Manyi, the Chief Whip of the MK Party and a former member of the EFF, has been associated with controversial, racially alienating expressions. Most recently, there have been concerns about the conduct of Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, a prominent leader in the EFF and a member of Parliament, due to her racist insinuations.
In response to an unfavourable ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal regarding The Public Protector of South Africa vs The Chairperson of the Section 194(1) Committee and Others (627/2023) [2024] ZASCA 131 (1 October 2024), Adv. Mkhwebane tweeted, ‘My ongoing struggle has consistently involved key figures, predominantly of Indian descent, who have positioned themselves as my persecutors.’ In expressing her frustration with the finding, she reduced her arguments to race rather than facts. She also inferred that our justice system, in which she should be bestowing trust as a public figure, has a racial bias.
It is undeniable that our country faces immense poverty, unemployment, and inequality, which reflect the legacy of apartheid. However, our engagement with the challenges plaguing our society must be located within an acknowledgement of its source. Similar to how the interests of international and domestic businesses underpinned apartheid racism and patriarchy, the current fundamental base of impoverishment and other social crises can be traced to an economic system that prioritises profit over people.
Most banks prefer investing in capital markets rather than programmes that would build our economy. Many businesses contribute to the problem by paying lower wages, employing fewer people, using labour brokers to circumvent labour laws, and offering short-term contract jobs instead of guaranteeing reliable, sustainable, and decent incomes. Furthermore, the business sector is pressuring our government to adopt neo-liberal policies that will only increase the inequality and poverty in our country. These actions of banks and businesses are exacerbating the economic hardships experienced by South Africans.
A political party that projects itself as left-leaning, such as the EFF, should be conscious of the root causes of our afflictions, yet they project a superficial analysis of our socio-political dynamics. As we recall the hurt caused by the Democratic Alliance’s flag-burning elections advert, it is crucial to recognise that statements by various EFF leaders are no less damaging.
These actions are two sides of the same coin. The difference is that the DA does not hide its racism and openly aligns itself with business, while the EFF pretends to be pro-poor, yet elevates race to exploit our people’s suffering for its political gains. They started with great promise, vowing to tackle corruption and greed. However, time has proven that they, too, seek only a piece of the cake and are aggravating what they claim they wish to change.
Parliamentarians spewing hatred to defend their poor performance is in complete violation of our Constitution, which talks about building a non-racial, united South Africa. Given the centrality of racism in our oppression, public representatives should be cautious of making utterances for the sake of expediency. They have to transcend their apartheid-infused lenses and consciously promote national unity and social cohesion while continuing to reject injustice. We must condemn these actions, stand against such racist attitudes and hold such populists to account.
Racism violates our fundamental human rights. The Human Rights Commission, with its constitutional mandate to hold violators accountable and provide adequate redress, plays a crucial role in the fight against racism. Noting, monitoring and cautioning violators are inadequate. It must implement measures to prevent and combat xenophobia and prejudices that lead to racial discrimination. Consistently admonishing the antagonistic behaviour and statements of all public figures is crucial for the Commission’s credibility and effectiveness.
Moreover, there is a need for dedicated state-led efforts to foster true reconciliation, national unity, and social cohesion. The all-inclusive National Dialogue process, which was proposed during the formation of the GNU, offers a necessary platform for civil society, labour, business, and other sectors to discuss the critical challenges facing our nation. It presents a unique opportunity for diverse groups to collectively take ownership of these issues and work towards their resolution. However, this essential process has been overlooked. It may be time to revive this concept and give it the attention it deserves.
The remnants of apartheid and the ongoing fight against racism and inequality in South Africa demand continuing attention and proactive steps toward healing and togetherness. Leaders need to consider the impact of their words and actions and prioritise state-led initiatives like the National Dialogue process.
This process could be crucial in tackling our country’s significant issues and be a key tool in our fight for social justice. By promoting genuine reconciliation, national unity, and social harmony, South Africa can work towards a future free from the rifts of the past.
Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security.