'No place here for racists'

20 January 2016 - 02:38 By Neo Goba

DA leader Mmusi Maimane has warned that racists are not welcomed in his party - and he does not want their vote. In a passionately delivered speech yesterday at the Apartheid Museum, in Johannesburg, Maimane said he felt that, two decades after the fall of apartheid, black people were still made to feel inferior."Racists are not welcome in the DA. If you are thinking of voting for the DA and you are a racist, please don't," Maimane said to applause.Maimane said racism had continued even though apartheid was history."We have a duty to act against those who engage in racial discrimination and racial mobilisation," he said. "There is no place in the DA for people who believe that the colour of their skin renders them superior to others."No DA member must be satisfied until we fundamentally address the structural inequality of our society. No DA member must ever turn a blind eye to racism, no matter how subtle or coded it might be," Maimane said.He said he would introduce an anti-racism pledge to be signed by all DA members.The pledge would require the signatory to uphold the values of the constitution, reject discrimination and agree not to perpetuate racial division or undermine the dignity of others."Members found to be in violation of this oath will have their party membership revoked immediately, no questions asked," Maimane said.He compared the signing of the country's constitution to a marriage. When the constitution was signed, the people vowed to stick together in sickness and in health and throughout all its struggles, he said.He said every time racial insults were posted on social networks it took the country backwards."We must be angry at the acts of racists. It's time to draw a line in the sand against racism."Political analyst Steven Friedman said Maimane's speech, while showing noble intent, would not satisfy a sceptical public."[The speech] does help [the DA] show that they acknowledge the problem and want to deal with it, but I'm afraid it won't really get rid of scepticism because people will say: 'Well, you need to show us'," said Friedman."I don't believe it will allay the concerns of those who believe that racism within the DA is a lot more prevalent than its leaders would care to admit."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.