Racial harmony begins with you

THREE unrelated incidents involving the sensitive issue of race made major headlines this week.

The first involved a disgusting anti-Indian posting on Facebook in which a user called for members of the Indian community to “go back to India” or be killed “like that girl shot in Chatsworth”, in obvious reference to the tragic killing of a 9-year-old Shallcross schoolgirl in a hijacking a fortnight ago.

Not only was the posting insensitive and blatantly racist, it had all the symptoms of a sick and depraved mind.

What was however encouraging was the prompt response from political leaders, including KZN Premier Willies Mchunu and provincial task team co-ordinator Sihle Zikalala, who denounced the remarks as “callous, reckless and despicable”.

“We must not allow a small, destructive element to divide our communities,” the premier urged.

In the second incident, Indian patrons visiting a restaurant at the previously all-white Durban Bowling Club in Greyville have complained they have been subjected to glares, insults and racial taunts by some white members who object to their presence at the club.

When will these bigots come to their senses and realise that clubs and public venues are no longer segregated or reserved for any particular race group; that the days of the old separate “Indian bar” tucked away in some remote corner of clubs and hotels is now a thing of the past?

The third incident occurred last week when EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu sparked a huge row after suggesting that a former anti-apartheid activist and senior Treasury official, Ismail Momoniat was “un-African”, claiming he undermined African leadership by repeatedly appearing at parliamentary finance committee meetings in place of black colleagues.

Although all three incidents are disturbing, they are certainly not reflective of the feelings of the majority of South Africans who support non-racialism and wish to see harmonious relations thrive among communities.

A commendable example was set by King Goodwill Zwelithini last week when he called on people to ensure relationships were built at schools around the common goal of uplifting the country.

Another was the launch of the We Are One festival which promotes positive relations between residents of KwaMashu and Phoenix in Durban.

If we wish to develop South Africa into a stable and peaceful non-racial democracy, we need to start looking at each other as fellow citizens and stop this mindless obsession with race.

So what are you doing to promote better race relations in our country?