Sir
It is utterly disappointing to see a surge in racism in our country.
For the once internationally respected liberation movement to resort to racism, to garner support for the upcoming local government elections, is totally distressing.
The work of President Mandela and of FW de Klerk is being destroyed by the present government. Mandela’s vision of a colour blind South Africa, where skin colour would no longer determines ones destiny, is being shattered.
In 1994 South Africa embarked on an extraordinary project to celebrate our common humanity. Its high priest was the great reconciler Nelson Mandela. Humanity prayed for us to defeat the demon of racism and serve as a role model for constructive coexistence where Ubuntu prevailed.
Sadly, the demons that were sleeping have been awakened.
This is so ironic. If we go back in time, all of us are really and truly the sons and daughters of African ancestors. All of us can scientifically trace our roots back to Africa.
Therefore, it is by asserting our Africanness that we can reach for the dream of a common humanity. University students are better placed than most in society to defeat racism. As there is a strong nexus between colonialism and racism, university students must take the lead in intellectually defeating the colonial mindset that nurtures and keeps alive racism.
Students cannot be intellectual and racists at the same time.
These are mutually exclusive things. Neither can students employ violence and arson to achieve transformation.
Science easily defeats all racist postulations.
History reviles racism. Racism is soul destroying.
Steve Biko was right to assert that there is only one race: the human race.
South Africans are a diverse people only through looks and cultural practices. Otherwise we are one people. Racism harms our cause enormously and loses us international credibility. Apartheid is dead and therefore racism should be dead.
Leaders must assert that racism will be given no quarter whatsoever. Racism must be anathema to every one of us. We are Africans, each and everyone one of us.
Let us decolonize our minds and thoughts.
We need to see ourselves as Africans and we need to assert ourselves as Africans. It is only evil politics that seeks to thrive on bigotry, racist malice and xenophobic hostility. Let no party seek to prosper from racism. Its existence is detrimental to us.
Willy Madisha MP
COPE Deputy President