EFF abuse of Indians chilling

AT THE SITTING of the Gauteng legislature on Tuesday, before I could stand up to deliver my speech on unemployment, EFF MPLs thought it apt to start screaming “Gupta!”

As I rose to speak, I was met with, “You must give us back the land” and other racist jabs.

Upon conclusion of my speech, in which I pointed out the absurdity of nationalisation, Mandisa Mashego stood up to attack my accent.

I received no protection from the ANC speaker.

Previously, EFF members in the legislature have told me to “go back to India”.

I am one of two Indian MPLs in Gauteng, and this barrage of racial abuse demonstrates the true attitude of the EFF towards Indian South Africans.

Firstly, despite the fact that Indians were brought to South Africa on indentured labour contracts with conditions barely above that of slavery, the EFF believes that Indians do not know poverty.

Secondly, despite the fact that Indians were active in the anti-apartheid movement and have contributed immensely to the economic development of South Africa, the EFF believes that Indians are not legitimate South Africans.

The fact that most Indians are fourth or fifth generation South Africans and identify as South African first and foremost is irrelevant.

The EFF does not really want us here.

This attitude is not new. Idi Amin blamed Indians in Uganda for the country’s prob- lems, and Julius Malema seems to be borrowing from this playbook.

In October 2011, Malema referred to Indians using the racial slur “Makula”. In July last year, Malema accused Indians of being partially behind his tax troubles.

The EFF in the Gauteng legislature seem to be following the same playbook.

They have no interest in disagreeing with my ideas, they seek to attack me for the colour of my skin and only the colour of my skin.

This does not bode well for democracy or social cohesion, and should rightly send a chill up our spines.