Keep debate on social cohesion alive
ONE of the country’s wealthiest businessmen, Johann Rupert caused a major stir last week with his arrogant and often racist remarks during a televised interview hosted by PowerFM.
He was roundly lambasted for his condescending attitude and particularly for the insulting remarks he made about black people who he claimed were less driven, preferring the high life at popular nightclubs to studying and saving.
This brand of racial stereotyping is dangerously divisive and can have no place in our new democracy. Rupert deserves every bit of criticism that came his way.
There was, however, one question he asked during the interview that all South Africans, concerned about the climate of political intolerance pervading the country, should be seeking answers for.
“Don’t you think it’s high time we as South Africans start talking to one another instead of shouting at one another?”
The issue of political intolerance was highlighted by Inkatha Freedom Party leader, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, when he spoke at an event in Durban at the weekend.
Expressing his concerns about certain politicians who painted Indian people as racists, he said: “This is completely unacceptable. This anti-Indian sentiment, like any social divisions, must be countered with truth and social cohesion. After all, Indians are not settlers in this country.”
Social cohesion is an issue we ignore at our peril because it is central to the survival of our democracy and the promotion of a common South African culture.
As Neeshan Balton, the executive director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, has pointed out, it was only after the demise of apartheid as a policy and the dawn of democracy 24 years ago that South Africans of different races and cultures started finding each other.
Apartheid and enforced separation was so entrenched, interaction between communities was virtually non-existent.
It is therefore encouraging that the debate over social cohesion is being kept alive.
Such dialogues must, however, not be restricted just to political and civic leaders. It needs to be extended to all members of society, in all communities – through the workplace, social gatherings, at schools, places of worship and in people’s homes.
Yes, our public representatives can certainly lead by example, but for meaningful change to take root, everyone of us has to become involved in fostering dialogue towards a peaceful and tolerant political climate. To this end, we shouldn’t merely be pursuing social cohesion but practising it every day of our lives.