STAND AGAINST RACISM
THE Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has thrown its weight behind growing voices within South Africa and around the world in condemning the violence and racism meted out against black people.
This comes as the #BlackLivesMatter campaigns and marches continue in different countries across the world. The protests follow the death of US citizen George Floyd at the hands of the police last month.
Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes as he was suspected of having used a counterfeit $20 (R335) bill at a shop.
The foundation held a symbolic picket at the Hector Pieterson Memorial Site in Soweto at the weekend as it highlighted both ongoing racism and police brutality here and abroad.
ANC MP Nompumelelo Mkhatshwa, who addressed the picket, said black people were tired of calling for equality and dignity.
She added that beyond advocacy, more action was needed to bring racism to an end.
She also slammed the violence of South Africa’s security forces against civilians, adding that its role had to be revisited.
The brutality shown by some members of the SAPS and SANDF came under scrutiny after the deaths of several civilians, including Alexandra resident Collins Khosa, allegedly at the hands of security forces.
The foundation’s Kristen Abrahams said that while Kathrada fought for ideals of non-racialism and equality, these had yet to be a reality around the world.
“For us to recognise that there is no justice at the moment, that there is no equality and that these things don’t exist in our world is necessary,” Abrahams said.