Daily Dispatch

No place for new racism

AN EAST London couple may be the epitome of racial integration, but their business philosophy appears to be at odds with what is deemed acceptable – even constitutional – in a democratic society.

Jannie and Khanyisa, a married interracial couple with children, run a pub where the racial divide is still evident today. One section, which is considered a more comfortable environment to enjoy a drink, is for white patrons while a shabby structure is dedicated to the pub’s black clientele.

The Daily Dispatch was alerted to the happenings at Swarrie’s in Lennox Estate – where an old South African flag proudly adorns one of the walls – by a few disgruntled locals. The owners have denied their establishment is racist, saying the split was just a mere consequence of how the bar came to be.

According to the two, it was initially a place where Jannie’s friends would gather for a drink and it was only much later, when Khanyisa registered her liquor trade, that it became a full-fledged bar. However, her clients, who were mainly black, continued using the back structure while the white patrons continued using the front section.

However, a team of undercover reporters, who visited the pub last week, were told how black clients were not allowed to use the socalled ‘whites only’ section. A bartender claimed Khanyisa insisted on the split. The Eastern Cape Liquor Board said it would investigate and if allegations of racism were found to be true, the Human Rights Commission would be approached for intervention.

It is shocking to think such racial intolerance still exists today. South Africa’s road to emancipation has not been without its hardships and casualties.

In a few days, the country will commemorate the death of Black Consciousness Movement founder Steve Biko. Biko – an anti-apartheid activist – died of a brain haemorrhage while in police custody on September 12 1977.

Today, the country also remembers the 29 people who died during what has now been termed the Bhisho Massacre. An 80 000-strong group of ANC members and supporters marched to Bhisho on September 7 1992, demanding an end to the apartheid homeland system, which promoted racial segregation. On that fateful day, 28 ANC members and one soldier lost their lives.

No one should be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of their race, colour, gender or language.

Racial segregation – in all forms and regardless of how insignificant it may appear to some – should not be tolerated.

Too many people have paid with their lives for the freedom we now enjoy.