Alleged racist remarks anger family
THE family of the late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela have hit back at Eskom chief executive Andre De Ruyter over his and other executives alleged racist remarks while he was employed by Sasol.
Madikizela-Mandela’s family spokesperson Thembelani Madikizela, said yesterday that his family was not shocked by the remarks allegedly made.
In reports revealed by the media, it is alleged that Werkman’s attorneys uncovered emails in which De Ruyter and his colleagues at Sasol made racists jokes about Madikizela-Mandela, insinuating that while the late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher was the Iron Lady, Madikizela-Mandela was an ironing lady.
“It is expected that as a struggle icon, many racists would have created perceptions to create a narrative that she was a nobody. The remarks (allegedly) expressed by De Ruyter clearly indicate that he would have stood on the side of those who oppressed our people during the difficult times of the struggle. “Therefore, we are not surprised as the family"
Madikizela said they took exception to these “serious derogatory remarks on our aunt”. “Africans, in particular, know and understand that Madikizela-Mandela would have stood up to defend herself from such racist attacks from those who don’t value black lives.”
EFF president Julius Malema was also apparently not spared from the attacks. De Ruyter and his colleagues allegedly called him a “white-kicker” when white people were according to them white taxpayers.
In response, the red berets said that in this country there was a long history of objectifying black women, rooted in the colonial and apartheid history in the South African economy.
“Black women are seen as nothing more than domestic workers, who deserve no respect and honour for the sterling work they do across all sectors of society.
“De Ruyter and his colleagues had no appreciation of the invaluable contribution that Winnie Madikizela-Mandela made in the fight for freedom in this country.”
The EFF said: “It does not matter what contribution black women make to society, the level of their qualifications and skills, for white men like De Ruyter, black women will forever remain ironing ladies.
“They hold this perception for all black people, and even in the corporate environment, racists like De Ruyter treat black professionals in a derisive manner.
“We know this to be true even today when it comes to De Ruyter because he has been relentless in mistreating and even dismissing black executives since he arrived at Eskom.”
The EFF called for the Eskom Board to dismiss De Ruyter and said the protection he continued to receive from Eskom and the government was “disgusting and an insult to Madikizela-Mandela and those who died fighting to liberate this country”.
Eskom spokesperson Sikhonathi Mantshantsha said De Ruyter had yesterday received an email from David Hertz, chairperson of Werkman’s law firm, denying knowledge of the report.
“André de Ruyter first became aware of the alleged existence of this alleged Werksmans report as a consequence of questions Eskom received from Bloomberg News on December, 4 2019 – six years after such alleged investigation.
“To this day, Mr De Ruyter has never been presented with any report, or draft thereof.
“It is very disappointing but not entirely surprising that such an alleged report that appears to be an incomplete hatchet job is now being circulated with a view to inflicting maximum damage to his reputation.
“In dealing with such an alleged report, we would hope the media applies proper standards of journalism ethics and be fully aware of its own role in perpetuating and aiding such a nefarious agenda,” said Mantshantsha.
Attempts to reach Werkman’s law firm were unsuccessful as they did not answer their office’s telephone calls.