Letters that encourage racial division will destroy SA

THAMI Zwane (“Coherent plan needed to root out racism, otherwise we will all perish”, The Star) seems unaware that apartheid, white racism and colonialism were substituted with democracy when the Nationalist government handed over Africa’s most viable economic, prosperous and pristine country to the ANC in 1994.

Black people had gained their freedom and were entitled to all amenities and facilities previously enjoyed by whites. So where is this “scourge” that must be “rooted” out? If there is, in Thami’s mind, such a “scourge”, how does he propose to root it out?

Could Thami give some specific examples of apartheid still existing in South Africa? Thami states that “systems are designed to suppress, undermine and exploit blacks in this country”. Please explain these “systems” and how they actually work.

What proof has Thami got that whites “deliberately hire black foreigners instead of locals to stir up rivalry and animosity among blacks”. In most cases foreigners are hired because they are willing to work and don’t spend most of their time protesting. How, Thami, are “blacks set up to fail in business”? Please give examples.

Corruption in South Africa is, as can be seen from the numerous and ongoing investigations, mainly committed by black people, although there have been one or two isolated incidents of white corruption. Who, Thami, are the biggest perpetrators of crime in South Africa?

The DA believes that it is only “the connected and protected who prosper at the expense” of those who are “locked out of opportunity”. In other words, “a narrowing pool of citizens (who) will continue to amass all the private resources of the country” – the ANC.

In what way do our courts of law “still favour whites”? A serious allegation. Please be more explicit and give actual cases. The few white cases of racism have mainly to do with the K-word, while black racist comments favour genocide and the killing of whites – incitement to kill is a criminal offence, yet this is not regarded as racist.

Why not? How does “white racism fuel all other social ills”? Come on, Thami, when writing letters back up your arguments and opinions with verifiable facts and figures and not just neighbourhood gossip.

Letters that encourage racial division with nonsensical comments, arguments and provocative statements are destroying our country.

A change of attitude, condemning all racism (white and black), refraining from blaming whites for all South Africa’s ills, taking the blame for poor and incompetent governance and working together with whites, is the only way forward to “a better life for all”.

JOHN WHITLOCK | Sunnyridge, Germiston