PHUTI MOSOMANE
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has lashed out at a group of white Free State racists after an alleged racist incident at the Maselspoort Resort in Bloemfontein on Christmas Day.
Addressing thousands of ANC rank and file at the party’s 111th birthday anniversary celebrations in Mangaung on Sunday, Ramaphosa, who was re-elected ANC president in December, described the racist incident as shameful.
“I want to send a clear message that racism will not be tolerated. It was such a shameful act to see an old white male trying to drown a young boy into a pool” said Ramaphosa.
The Maselspoort racist incident made international headline after a video emerged on social media wherein two teenage black boys were reportedly attacked and assaulted by a group of white adults.
In the video, the adults seemingly tried to prevent the boys from using a swimming pool at the resort which they allegedly claim is reserved for the use of white people only.
Ramaphosa invited the two boys and their family to attend the party’s anniversary celebration, as special guests of the president.
“Today I have invited the two brothers who were subjected to cruel acts of racism and
humiliation as my guests. What happened must not discourage you. May the spirit of our forebears who fought racism fill you with strength. The president praised the two boys for their bravery after they put a strong fight against their racist attackers.”
“Don’t fear white people, their time has passed, and they no longer have power, their apartheid project is gone,” said the ANC president to a loud applause.
Ramaphosa urged other young people across the country to resist racism.
Speaking to Inside Politics on the side-lines of the 55 th anniversary celebration, Brian Nakedi, the father of the two boys said the impact of the incident had been “horrific and hectic”.
“Racism is not a problem for Free State only, it is a challenge across the country,” said Nakedi, adding that the country needed to revive and strengthen the non-racial project to end racism.
He said the family was happy President Ramaphosa was providing leadership against racism despite the earlier criticism that he only reacted to the incident few days after it took place.
The racist perpetrators- Johan Nel and Jan van der Westhuizen, and Kobus Klaassen have
already appeared in court and are facing charges of common assault.
Klaassen is facing an additional charge of attempted murder (schedule five offence).
INSIDE POLITICS
