Stand up and say no to racism

RACISM is continuing to rear its ugly head, especially on social media. Details emerged last week of De Goode Hoop, an “Afrikaans and Christians only” private residence in Pretoria. The University of Pretoria distanced itself from this.

Others have wrongfully compared De Goode Hoop to mosques and churches saying only some sections of the community are allowed in. De Goode Hoop is not a church! And, by the way, mosques and churches are open to all races.

De Goode Hoop is nothing more, in our view, than a disguise for segregation and discrimination. As far as we know, not a single person of colour has been accepted to this residence.

I have nothing against Afrikaans. In fact, I speak the language and am a former Afrikaans teacher.

We cannot allow segregation based on race, religion, language or colour in a rainbow South Africa. It’s simply unacceptable.

Mantoa Selepe, whose daughter studies at Tukkies, and I have lodged a formal complaint with the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities and are scheduled to meet the commission next week. I recently also opened criminal charges against Facebook hater Obatala Mcambi.

There is no place in South Africa for racism. We must all continue to stand up and say #NoToRacism and we must all #TakeOnRacism.