As we celebrate Freedom Day tomorrow, our country continues to be devilled by racism

26 April 2018

As we celebrate Freedom Day tomorrow, our country continues to be devilled by racism. There is hardly a day that passes, in which there isn’t an incident.

At the same time, we have a strong democracy that allows for different opinions on all matters. It is something that we can be proud of.

Yet the recent “hanging” of an effigy of Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, is an offensive and inappropriate way to express differences. Our violent past, including the cruel and degrading punishment of so-called political prisoners, through hanging, is an image that is unfortunate and conjures up our racist past.

Our rainbow nation is in sight, we are still forging a common identity, and we can only do so if we are sensitive to our collective history and pain. 

Issued by Marc Pozniak
Chairman Gauteng Council,
SAJBD

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