Protest at Hofmeyr show shelved
City of Tshwane rejected ANCYL request, because its application did not comply
FOLLOWING days of mudslinging, weapons have been laid down in the fight against the appearance of Steve Hofmeyr at the Afrikaans is Groot music concert in Tshwane.
The ANC Youth League’s Greater Tshwane region has postponed the planned protest action after the City of Tshwane turned down its application to stage a protest at the venue.
This was because the application was not submitted within the prescribed seven working days.
The youth league had called on all progressive Afrikaners to reject and isolate the popular musician, saying he insisted on spreading racial venom.
Hofmeyr has been in the spotlight following tweets about apartheid, after tweeting last month: “Sorry to offend, but in my books, blacks were the architects of apartheid.”
This caused a stir, with the popular Afrikaans singer being accused of being racist.
The youth league’s branch spokesman, Justin de Swardt, said it would have been counterproductive to nation-building if there was a physical confrontation between members and “racists” if the protest action was held unlawfully.
De Swardt said there had been consultations with the major stakeholders of the concert where the league made clear its absolute disgust with some statements attributed to Hofmeyr.
He said they were reasonably satisfied that the stakeholders did not condone his actions.
“It must be understood that it is extremely abnormal for a public figure to be making statements such as those made by Hofmeyr in the democratic era,” he said.
“To say that blacks were the architects of apartheid is not only ignorant, but also highly insensitive.”
Hofmeyr is performing at the concert series which ends this weekend at the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Moreleta Park before moving to Cape Town next week for the final two days.
After the youth league signalled its intention to protest, the Rubenstein Group – made of residents of the nearby Rubenstein Avenue – indicated they would challenge the matter in court if the application was approved.
But group co-ordinator Melany Legard said they were now relieved the matter was over.
She said they had no issue with the youth league fighting against Hofmeyr, but having a potentially dangerous march near their homes while 7 000 people piled into a concert venue would have been a formula for disaster.
Afrikaans is Groot spokesman Barnard Beukman said the organisers welcomed the situation where concertgoers could now enjoy the music.