Anti-Indian song fosters tension

Top officials threaten to take action against local hip hop group over racist lyrics

TOP officials in KwaZuluNatal have warned a Durban hip hop group that they will be taken to the Human Rights Commission and Equality Court if they do not stop distributing a song that promotes anti-Indian sentiment.

Ravi Pillay, MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, and uMgungundlovu district mayor Yusuf Bhamjee said the song Umhlaba Uzobuya (the land will return) by the group AmaCde, fosters tension between Indians and Africans.

Pillay and Bhamjee said they were ready to take the issue to the commission and court if AmaCde did not back down.

The song calls Indians exploiters and demands they return to India, but AmaCde claims the music aims to raise awareness of issues that affect the African community.

“The song targets Indian employers who exploit African people. If there are Indian employers who don’t exploit their African employees, then this song is not directed at them,” said Mnqobi Ndlovu, a mem- ber of the AmaCde group.

“Our group is recording many songs that use lyrics to raise issues that affect the African people. In KwaZulu-Natal, the issue of Indians exploiting and mistreating Africans is historical and it’s about time a solution was found. AmaCde are not politicians – we are lyrical activists.”

Verses of the song accuse Indians of exploiting African workers, call on Africans to take control of the wealth of the country and send Indians “across the ocean”.

“Indians should back off because this wealth belongs to us,” the group sings.

It is unclear whether any radio stations have aired the song yet, but Umhlaba Uzobuya is said to have been widely distributed on CD.

Pillay and Bhamjee described AmaCde as “reckless” and said their lyrics must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

“They are not radical. They are racist. Any attempts to divide our people on racial or ethnic lines must be resisted. We will not be stereotyped. We must rise and defend our space in a free and democratic South Africa.

“This is clearly reckless use of the internet and social media to sow division. Those who take their chances must know that there will be consequences. If need be, we will take action through the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Court. There are stiff penalties for hate speech crimes.”

The Lotus Chamber of Commerce said the song could create further barriers between the African and Indian communities.

“I can’t believe it. This is an attempt to polarise, threaten, generate fear and win popularity for these pathetic fools,” said Dr Ragnish Singh of the chamber.

Ashin Singh, convener of the SA Minority Rights Equality Movement, said anti-Indian hate speech had become common in the past few years. “The government cannot broadcast these songs as it would be guilty of aiding hate speech,” he said.

Mazibuye Forum member Phumlani Mfeka, responding in his personal capacity, said he was not surprised artists were using their talent to voice concerns about issues affecting Africans.

“African youth witness their fathers, mothers, siblings and friends being exploited, abused and treated with indignity daily.

“Our duty is to protect groups such as AmaCde from those who may want to suppress them or stop them from voicing the people’s truth.”