Racism whistle-blowers praised amid ANCYL leader k-word slur
THE Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has lauded those who did not turn a blind eye to racism when it rears its ugly head.
After Adam Catzavelos’ racist video was leaked this week, a private Whatsapp conversation between two ANC members was also leaked online, revealing that one member used the k-word.
Suzanne Govender has since resigned from her position as a member of ANC ethekwini regional executive. Govender was also branch secretary of the ANC Youth League in ward 73 in Chatsworth.
A criminal case was opened against her by the ANC.
In the conversation, which was caught on a screen grab, Govender apparently refers to a woman named Thandeka, using the k-word.
Govender’s comments were of grave concern for Prema Naidoo, a board member of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and anti-apartheid Struggle veteran.
“It is deeply concerning when a member of the ANCYL – an organisation that was at the forefront of fighting racial discrimination and apartheid – has a member who is accused of using the word k ***** ,” Naidoo said.
The foundation’s executive director, Neeshan Balton, said: “Racism must be made expensive for racists. The Vicki Momberg case has set a precedent in that racists can serve jail time and we urge the state to pursue criminal charges against these individuals.”
“What’s important about these cases is that people aren’t just letting them slide,” he said.
Balton commended ordinary people who had called out racists. “It’s only if we tackle racists head-on that we’re going to cut to the core of the issue,” he said.
The ANC said there would be a disciplinary hearing and a criminal charge and the party would take the matter to the SA Human Rights Commission.
ANCYL secretary in ethekwini, Thinta Cibane, said: “We are not going to let racism infiltrate our organisation.
“We want Govender hauled over the coals.”