Divisive ANC leaders ‘must step aside’
Zuma hits out at ‘racist Black Friday’ marches
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma‚ the keynote speaker at a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the 24th anniversary of Chris Hani’s death yesterday‚ honoured Hani’s legacy and made specific reference to his intolerance for racism.
Zuma said the anti-Zuma marches that took place last week were a clear indication that racism still existed.
“Placards at the marches depicting monkeys indicated that our white counterparts view black people as less of human beings or subhuman‚” Zuma said.
He said the racist onslaught against black people was more direct and racists no longer feared being exposed as they did in of South Africa’s democracy.
“We cannot allow racists to take our country backwards‚” Zuma said.
Zuma said the hate crimes law would criminalise several forms of discrimination, including racism. The crowd of supporters welcomed the president’s speech with loud cheers and songs in his honour.
Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini disassociated the trade union federation from all forms of action against Zuma on what was popularly referred to as “Black Friday”.
“We are not part of Black Friday or any marches. We will resolve our issues internally‚” Dlamini said. the beginning
Due to prevailing weather conditions the programme was called off just before second deputy general secretary of the SACP‚ Solly Mapaila‚ was due to speak.
Mapaila said he would still convey his message through other means and was met by boos from the crowd.
Hani’s widow‚ Dimpho‚ speaking at the event, rubbished reports that she was anti-Zuma.
Dimpho said she had attended a prayer session for the country after which reports surfaced that she was part of a faction that opposed Zuma. “Comrades I am a member of the ANC and there is only one ANC‚” she said.
She took a swipe at the media‚ quoting Malcom X as having said media were known for misconstruing facts.
She also praised Zuma‚ saying he was a pillar of strength to her when her eldest daughter was dealing with cocaine addiction problems.
Zuma announced that Hani’s grave site in Boksburg on Johannesburg’s East Rand had been declared a national heritage site.
The SACP, as well as ANC members among others, present at the Thomas Nkobi cemetery in Boksburg‚ welcomed Zuma chanting “Zuma-Zuma” as he was introduced.
Reverend Maphatsoe in his opening prayer said the ceremony was not to be tainted by political point-scoring‚ as the president requested‚ and that the message was no longer “Save SA” but rather “Defend SA”. — TMG