Malema seeks to divide SA over race
JULIUS Malema has done it again – the man is incorrigible!
Despite two convictions for hate speech, Malema has found it expedient to now target the Indian community of Kwazulunatal (“Malema angers Indians”, Tribune, July 30).
Yes, this dangerous, populist, rabble-rouser will certainly be hauled before the Equality court and the Human Rights Commission for his antiindian outburst at the EFF’S fourth anniversary gathering at Curries Fountain. For some, Malema’s antics are a bad deja vu experience, to which they have become immune.
But beware – his intention to sow the seeds for promoting and inciting racial hatred should not be brushed off lightly.
Even the controversial Schabir Shaik has joined the fray and lambasted Malema, and rightfully commented that those disgruntled shop employees and domestic helpers who were purportedly “interviewed” by Juju (Malema’s nickname) should have directed “their plight” over allegations of poor treatment/ underpayment to the CCMA or to the Labour Offices found throughout our country.
Will Juju be able to identify at least five of those Indian shop owners who allegedly pay their black employees with food parcels in lieu of wages? Or were these outbursts based on hearsay?
On the big white sheet, Malema has chosen to focus on the few black dots. Yes, there may be some Indians (like those from other race groups) that flout the labour laws of our country.
His negative, calculated rhetoric is seriously damaging years of sound Indo-afro relations.
Why does ignoramus Juju not sit with our revered elder statesman, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, whose late daughter chose to be an inmate at the Divine Life Society of South Africa? This organisation notably has done/is doing yeoman voluntary service towards the upliftment of poor blacks in South Africa (building of schools, crèches, health clinics, skill centres, feeding schemes, etc). There are many other Indian bodies (Ramakrishna Centre, Sarva Dharma Ashram to name a few) of similar ilk.
Judge Colin Lamont, in his September 12, 2011 conviction over Malema’s “Shoot the Boer” hate speech song stated: “The right to freedom of speech does not trump the right to dignity.”
The Johannesburg Equality Court convicted Malema on March 15, 2010 of hate speech following his remarks that President Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser had a “nice time”. Mbuyiselo Botha of Sonke Gender commented: “Our country’s leaders need to be more responsible in their public statements.”
After Malema was fired from the ANC on February 29, 2012, the erstwhile chairperson Derek Hanekom stated: “It is unlikely that Malema could be rehabilitated. He was found guilty of two serious offences and has shown no remorse.”
Malema’s stereotyped comment that Indians treat Africans as “sub-humans” is hypocritical and currently just an allegation. Many of us remember Juju’s outbursts bordering on fascism when he hurled abuse at Jonah Fisher, a young white BBC journalist at a press conference on April 8, 2010. Some of Malema’s outbursts: “You are a small boy. Go out. B ***** d. Bloody agent. Don’t come here with that white tendency. Get security to move this thing.” Labelling a human as a “thing”?
Now, free from the reins of the ANC, Malema rules the EFF like a personal fiefdom. Surely adequate legislation should be enacted to quell leaders with a penchant for such deliberate and opportunistic outbursts, intended to stir the racial cauldron repeatedly.
Malema is a recidivist of note. Our beloved country, still battling to come to terms with racist rants and attitudes, must act fast and decisively.
Gona Govender La Mercy