Letter: Media causing the trouble

Dave Williams of Ballito writes:

Did the public get the full story of Eben Etzebeth’s (a rugby hero) remark of calling someone a ‘hotnot’? I had never heard before of the word hotnot and do not know its definition. However, if it is derogatory when used by one race group against another then it should be prevented! However invariably the media often get the complaint taken out of context of the full story.

If Eben made the remark what caused him to do so? Were derogatory remarks first levelled at him beforehand? The media often not only do not give all the facts but frequently distort the story. Remember the old adage that the truth should never get in the way of a good story often applies! No wonder as quoted on SABC TV only 49% of the public believe the media.

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As far as I am concerned, as Eben Etzebeth’s case has not been fully heard or conducted in court the media person first reporting this story should be taken to task for premature publicising it, as this only encourages and increases racialism in this country! Maybe the media should follow the example of the illegal use of the ‘K’ word by also considering only using ‘B’ for Blacks, ‘W’ for Whites, ‘I’ for Indians and ‘C’ for Coloureds when discussing racial matters.

This would certainly contribute to decreasing racialism as Nelson Mandela advocated in this country. There are even advertisements aimed at only one race group which I do not like! Where do we draw the line?

EDITOR’S NOTE: ‘Hotnot’ is a bastardisation of the term Hottentot, as applied to persons of mixed race or Coloureds. And Dave, not to cause any trouble, but the next time some Vaalie visitor calls you a ‘rooinek’, punch his lights out.

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