The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has slammed a racist TikTok video that branded South Africans of Indian descent as unpatriotic and having an alternative country to go back to, as racist and bordering on incitement.
Image: IOL / Independent Newspapers
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has slammed a viral TikTok video that claims South Africans of Indian origin “have another country to go to”, calling the statement racist, inflammatory and a direct threat to the province’s fragile social cohesion.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the party said the remarks were “reckless, ignorant” and had no place in a democratic society founded on equality, dignity and non-racialism. The ANC cautioned that such comments not only offend but also amount to “dangerous incitement” that undermines the unity the province has worked hard to build.
The party stated that, the insinuation that Indian South Africans do not contribute to or support the country is “factually wrong and deeply unjust.”
The ANC added that South Africa, as a young democracy, requires responsible dialogue, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, a province with a painful history of racial tension. It warned against sensational online content designed to provoke division.
The party welcomed widespread condemnation of the video by academics, religious leaders, civil society and community structures, saying these groups were correct to label it offensive and contrary to the principles of the Constitution.
The statement suggested that the offensive remarks may have been a reaction to the warm reception Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received during the recent G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
Modi’s presence, the ANC said, highlighted the longstanding solidarity between India and South Africa, particularly India’s support during the anti-apartheid struggle, solidarity that “should never be distorted or ridiculed.”
The ANC reminded the public that hate speech is not protected by freedom of expression and urged leaders, residents and content creators to act responsibly.
“KwaZulu-Natal cannot afford rhetoric that jeopardises peace and unity,” the organisation said.
“We must reject commentary that undermines our shared future.”