DEAR Editor,-
With regards to the developments around the Indo-African tensions that emerged from very dangerous comments and threats made by a group of young people from an organisation called Mazibuye African Forum. MEC Ravi Pillay and the Kwa-Zulu Natal government went to court to interdict the individuals, in particular one Phumlani Mfeka for inciting racial violence. Mfeka called for a ‘curtain of blood to flow’ in KZN. A dangerous call given the recent xenophobic violence experienced just months ago.
A further development was when prominent businessman Vivian Reddy made comments at the Global Diaspora Conference that upset many Indian people in the province and on the coast. He made comments considered to be in support of some of Mfeka’s allegations, blaming Indians for being racist, treating blacks badly. This has serious implications for peace, for our people and development.
Senior professors like Jerry Coovadia and Yousuf Vawda and judge Thumba Pillay commented on Reddy’s utterances, releasing a statement arguing Reddy’s comments are counterproductive towards building racial harmony and promoting peaceful coexistence.
I issued the following statement: I have read the diaspora statement by professor Jerry Coovadia , Judge Thumba Pillay and Professor Vawda and am in general agreement with it. However, I think it may be necessary to look at the context in which Mr Reddy spoke and who he represented. If the information expressed in the media is true then these are my comments.
Mr Reddy did not represent me or my family. It is my firm belief that he did not apply his mind properly and chose the easier path of agreeing with the sentiments expressed by what I consider to be a rather racist and dangerous grouping. I wonder now if his motives were genuine, or driven by his need to protect his own business interest.
He may be big in business, but he certainly is no leader or spokesperson for the Indian community. Or me and my family for that matter. Whether he is politically connected or not is irrelevant.
If anything, the group Mfeka represents clearly singles out Indian business people and Reddy should speak on behalf of that sector. Indeed there are transgressions and exploitation by some business owners where Indians, blacks and foreign workers are exploited – I know, I helped establish Cosatu offices on the lower South Coast in the 1980s.
Any unfair labour practices must be dealt with firmly by the law. There are institutions in place to deal with that. To blame all Indians for racism and exploitation is unacceptable and unfair. It does not solve the problem of racial tensions or promote racial harmony and social cohesion. It compounds and feeds the frenzy that a certain sector now seems to enjoy. I will not allow that.
I am a South African of Indian origin. I am proud of my heritage and my culture. I will not apologise for that. Nor do other South Africans like me have to feel pressured into accepting responsibility for crimes we did not commit.
I agree – some tough questions must be asked. Are we doing enough? What can government, civil society and businesses do? We all have a responsibility to deal with any injustice, in particular the kind represented by self-appointed spokesperson Mr Reddy. To single out the Indian community is taking a shortcut – looking for a scapegoat. Reddy’s comments seem to be a ‘gift’ to those who wish to see ‘a curtain of blood flow’. This is irresponsible.
I have devoted my entire life to fighting against racism and injustice and will not remain silent. We still suffer at the hands of certain political thugs who abuse our democratic system to further their own personal, business and political agendas, neglecting the poor and vulnerable. This is a class and economic struggle and needs to be seen in that context.
With due respect to Mr Reddy, I cannot help but wonder if he is not trying to mask his own deficiencies and fears of losses by ‘currying’ favour with what I consider to be a rather misguided group of individuals who have the potential to destroy the unity in our diversity or the rainbow in our nation. We are many cultures, but one nation and need to build on the proud history of our ANC elders to take South Africa forward.
SELVAN CHETTY
Written in his personal capacity
