Speech by Dr. Pieter Mulder, MP , FF Plus Leader, human rights day debate, parliament, March 16 2010

If one reads the Afrikaans and English newspapers of the past weeks, the Sowetan and City Press it is clear how our society have become polarised and how totally differently we view issues in South Africa.

When I follow internet debates, I read white racism and black racism in the majority of the debates.

At a previous Human Rights Day celebration in Lebanon Township , the speaker, Faraday Nkoane, said: "Stop stealing from black people because they will deal with you in an African way. They will bewitch you ... Go and steal from the Whites because it is right. Taking from whites is not a crime ..."

Shocking!

In probably his most famous quote Nelson Mandela said at his trial and again at his release:

"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

The Bill of Rights in the Constitution tries to put this in legal terms:

"This Bill of Rights...enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.

2. The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights.

Section 16: Everyone has the right to freedom of expression...(This right) does not extend to - ...advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.

In 2003 the Freedom Front Plus laid a complaint with the Human Rights Commission about the singing of the song "Kill the Boer, Kill the farmer". The ANC argued that it is an innocent struggle song. The Human Rights Commission found that according to the Constitution it is definitely hate speech and prohibited it.

The context, within which such a song is sung, has to be taken into account the Commission found.

Mr. Julius Malema comes from the Limpopo province. What is the context in Limpopo within which Malema sings it?

At the beginning of February a farmer, Mr. Koos van Staden from Hoedspruit was shot dead while he was lying in his house watching TV. A week later Mr. Jozia Booysen and his wife were stoned to death on their farm near Mokopane (Potgietersrus). The following week, Mr. Ettienne Canmaerts, a Belgian citizen, had his neck cut off in Lephalale (Ellisras) district. Nothing was stolen. A day later Mr. Paul Dunne was murdered on his farm close to Tzaneen. He was shot four times. At the end of February, Mr. Ron Smit was murdered on his small holding outside Bela-Bela.

Three farm murders took place this past weekend. Mr. Danie Nortje was shot through his bedroom window, while his curtains were drawn, in his back. Nothing was stolen.

The previous weekend. Two farmers were murdered in cold blood. These murders come directly after the song "Shoot the Boere they are all rapists" was sung by Julius Malema on his birthday and at a meeting at the University of Johannesburg .

The ANC says it is an innocent struggle song.

Mr. Malema was nine years old when Mr. Mandela was released. What does he know of teargas, Casspirs and about the struggle? He however sings this song in the context of 2010 in Limpopo where suddenly every week farmers are being murdered. Murdered by young people who also know very little about the struggle. They hear the song in today's context.

Robert F Kennedy, American presidential candidate said:

"What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."

What would Mr. Mandela have said about this?

Malema is an ill-disciplined, rude and conflict seeking juvenile. Not only is he an embarrassment to the ANC and South Africa , but he is mocking each one of you sitting here.  Why does the ANC not act? Are you afraid of him?

Issued by the FF Plus, March 16 2010

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