Shocking racism shatters boys’ holiday plans

THEIR dream of a holiday together was shattered when two Cape Town best friends were exposed to racism.

The primary school boys, one white and the other black, had planned to camp this week at Lepel Lê – a private beachfront camping site in East London. But the black boy, aged 11, had to be left behind after his friend’s family were allegedly informed that only white guests were allowed.

Jaunelle Landman, the white boy’s mother, contacted The Star’s sister paper, the Cape Times, from Lepel Lê, saying it was “like apartheid from the past”. Her mother had paid for a sixday trip for two adults, her 12-year-old son and his friend, she said. She continued the trip because it was paid for.

“I only see my mom every second year. It was her choice of spot. It’s the first and last time that I go there. It’s like when only white people were in white areas. It’s not cool,” she said.

Her uncle had advised her to phone Lepel Lê. “He had heard that only whites were allowed. The owners said no other races were allowed. They are only allowed to work there,” she said, adding she was shocked when she had to tell the black boy’s mother.

“I had to look her in the eyes and tell her I can’t take her child with us because he’s black. The hurt I saw in her eyes was terrible.”

The boy’s mother, Coressa Wells-de Almeida, said: “I wanted to lie and say it’s me who didn’t want him to go. But then I told him it was because of racism. I would not be there to protect my son.” The boy was very disappointed, she said. “He and his friend are like brothers. We had to explain why it was happening,” said WellsDe Almeida. “We are black. I am a coloured married to a black man. My husband is from Angola, and that makes it worse for my children. Black people are racist towards us too.”

A Lepel Lê co-owner, who refused to give her name, said: “This is a private resort. If I advertised, then it’s another matter.” She would not say directly if people who were not white could stay there. “As a matter of fact I don’t have friends in other race groups,” she said when asked.

She was “not aware” of the alleged racism. “It might be somebody wanted to bring a friend. Or maybe they didn’t want to bring the child.”