Join forces to wipe out racism – Mkhize

ANC Treasurer General Dr Zweli Mkhize used his visit to KwaZulu-Natal this week to speak out against racism.

Mkhize, the former premier of KZN, said racial intolerance dented the image of the country as an investment destination. If not tackled, it could overshadow the work of nation building done by people like Nelson Mandela, he warned.

Speaking during the memorial lecture of struggle activist, Archie Gumede, at Durban University of Technology on Thursday, Mkhize said South Africans must work together to wipe out racism.

“Non-racialism basically means a situation where all of us are able to accept ourselves as equals, as South Africans, brothers and sisters, and as a family. There is no need to fight just because we have some differences of opinion,” he said.

Despite the apparent deterioration of race relations, Mkhize said there was hope for South Africa. “We have faced bigger challenges as a country previously and we emerged victorious. What could stop us now from curbing the scourge of racism? Together we can. We need to admit that we are all South Africans and we belong here regardless of the colour of our skin,” he said.

He described Gumede, leader of the United Democratic Front, as a person who “epitomised peace”.

On Friday, Mkhize, accompanied by his wife, Dr May Mashego, attended the launch of a new Durban office of chartered accounting firm Morar Incorporated at the Maharani Hotel. Speaking at the event, Mkhize again preached peace and unity, saying racial rows prevented the country from moving forward.

“Disunity means you are going to have instability all over, you are going to have people fighting all over,” he said.

He urged private businesses to partner with government to lift the country out of the economic downturn. Mkhize said democracy must come with opportunities for everybody not just a few.

“We shouldn’t have a democracy wherein people would keep wondering what democracy delivered. People must say yes, we have seen the change, that’s why when we vote we know it is to make our country a better country.

“We need to forge ties, hold our hands together and move forward. We must fight to eliminate poverty and create more jobs,” he said.

ANC provincial chairman, Sihle Zikalala agreed. He pleaded with business people to contribute to skills development programmes, especially for people who came from impoverished families.

Managing director of Morar Incorporated, Roshan Morar, said he was happy with the achievements it had made over a period of 21 years. He said the expansion of the company meant that more jobs would be created for young people.

Morar, who was lauded for his belief in young people, said he would continue to devote his time and knowledge to helping young people to break into the world of accountancy.

Mkhize was in the province as part of the voter registration weekend.