Was Malema really wrong?

WASN’T Julius Malema telling the truth?

Julius Malema is known for his blunt, forthright and controversial outbursts. He has already been in trouble with the law with his racist song Dubul’ iBhunu (Shoot the Boer) which was declared hate speech and therefore illegal by the court, and for his controversial call for expropriation of vacant land without compensation.

Now he comes to Durban, the heart of the Indian community in the country, and opens his big mouth accusing Indian businessmen of exploiting black workers. Obviously, Indians are incensed and have lashed out at the controversial and inflammatory outburst by the rabblerouser. He could be in trouble with the law again. The South African Minority Rights Equality Movement (Samrem) has laid a charge of crimen injuria against Malema at the Mountain Rise police station in Pietermaritzburg (Indians set to tackle Malema, POST, August 2-6).

His comments do not bode well for race relations as they are racist and divisive, and could fan the flames of racism in the country again. Indians and blacks once lived side by side harmoniously under the harsh apartheid laws. But, even now, many of us still regard blacks as inferior.

Many thousands are employed in Chatsworth as gardeners, domestic and casual workers. Even though they may not get the minimum wage, they are at least able to find employment. But Indian businesses? Are we sure they are not exploiting the workers? They are known to exploit their own.

I had a friend who worked for an Indian firm and had to return half his wage on Monday. Are there any honest businessmen?

Was Malema then not telling the truth? When he called Jacob Zuma a criminal to his face in Parliament, we enjoyed it. Now when he criticises us for our unethical business practices we don’t like it. Maybe it was the manner in which he said that angered us.

Are we not behaving like the Arab nations who demand that Qatar close down Al-Jazeera because it pricks their conscience?

THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN

Silverglen