RANT SPARKS CALL FOR ANTI-RACISM POLICIES

THE AHMED Kathrada Foundation has called for policies to be adopted so immediate action can be taken against racists.

The foundation commented yesterday as Kessie Nair made his first appearance in court in connection with a racist video in which he invoked the K-word in an attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa. The foundation said businesses and schools should adopt anti-racism policies and families needed to discuss what their stance would be against members who clearly harboured racist views.

Nair’s family denounced his views in a statement on Wednesday and said he was “mentally unwell”.

Nair appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of crimen injuria after he was arrested at his home in Phoenix on Wednesday night.

In the almost five-minute long video rant, Nair demanded that Ramaphosa be charged for failing the nation and declared that he was prepared to go to jail for his comments.

Nair’s video went viral on social media, fuelling racial divisions, with some saying that all Indians were racist or that they agreed with what Nair had said.

However, Phoenix residents said yesterday that they did not share his views.

Sundree Kisten, from Shastri Park, said that although she was born and raised during the apartheid era, she had chosen to teach her children the values of respecting all people.

Nair was remanded in custody until September 26 when he will apply for bail.