Why a top-down approach is best

RACISM has no place in the new South Africa. That is the unequivocal message which has reverberated throughout the country at the start of the new year.

The Oxford dictionary defines racism as “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior”.

Thus, anyone can be racist, regardless of their skin colour, as long as their actions are directed towards another race. The Sunday Times main headline this weekend was, “Jail the racists!” as government took a hardline approach to the racism storm that engulfed South Africa this week.

Deputy Minister of Justice John Jeffery said the government was already working to add hate speech and racist behaviour to the current bill on hate crimes, which will now be redrafted and released for public comment.

President Jacob Zuma also lashed out at racists, saying that they had no place in the country and were “living in the past”.

Of course, if we have any hope of surviving and indeed, flourishing as a country, we need to nip racism in the bud – and that means being as critical of every racist action without considering the skin colour of the offender and of the victim. If we want to put a full stop behind racism, we need not to be hypocritical about it and find some racists “more justified” than others. We also – and herein lies a problem all on its own – need to not see racism in everything and everyone.

In showing that South Africa is serious about ending racism, let’s start at the top. Political party leaders – whether national, provincial or local – ministers and MECs should set the example when it comes to racial integration and harmony and so racist utterances by them should lead to immediate and serious action against the perpetrators.

As leaders, they have access to public platforms, which is the ideal place to either incite racial hatred and discord or to do the opposite. There should be a common standard in dealing with the man on the street and the politician or government representative when it comes to ending racism. Double standards will not have the desired result of a country living in harmony, understanding and tolerance and no longer should political leaders be able to get away with comments which are offensive and inflammatory to other races.

A non-racial South Africa will require the commitment of everyone – whether prominent or not.