Uthukela District Municipality

During the old apartheid days there used to be segregation of people along racial lines where blacks and whites were treated differently because of the colour of their skins.

When the country entered into a democratic dispensation many people crossed over with that demon still deeply embedded in their minds.

Recently our country has witnessed the worst forms of racial slurs directed towards a certain group by another or individuals.

It is against this backdrop that uThukela District organised and held an Anti-Racism Breakfast with various stakeholders on Wednesday last week at Sandford Lodge in Bergville.

Its aim was to call together stakeholders from different formations to discuss the issue of racism that we experience every day and find common ground to curb it.

The event was held under the theme: ‘South Africa United Against Racism‘. In his opening remarks, Okhahlamba Municipality Mayor Councillor DT Sibeko said that the issue of racism is one of those draconian laws put into place by apartheid government to treat one race superior to the other.

He made a typical example about harsh treatment suffered by black farm dwellers at the hands of the farmer. Cllr Sibeko said farm dwellers and workers are subjected to second class citizen treatment by their employers.

He then encouraged people not to despise themselves, particularly black people but must work together to find common ground. The keynote address was given by uThukela District Mayor Cllr DCP Mazibuko who outlined the origins of the anti-racism campaign.

The Mayor stated that during the State of the Nation Address in February, President Jacob Zuma declared the month of March to be dedicated to Anti-Racism.

“This year’s focus was largely informed by incidents of racism that have been on media and other platforms since the beginning of the year. We are all racists in our own way. However, our Constitution stipulates that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, blacks and whites. Chapter one talks of non-sexism and non-racialism,” said the Mayor.

The Mayor was also concerned about the fact that in 22 years of democracy people still look down on each other simply because of their race.

“We do this consciously and unconsciously. Let’s engage ourselves on this and work together to kill and bury racism. We must then teach our children about racism,” the Mayor concluded.

Stakeholders engaged with each other about issues of racism within the society.  They talked about the negative impact it has in our daily activities.

They also encouraged each other to fight all forms of racism together to build a prosperity country free of hatred.

The event culminated with a convoy of vehicles in Ladysmith, which started from Kandarhar Sports Fields and ended at the Indoor Sports Complex where people were entertained by Micasa and Big Nuzz.