POLITICS

Xingwana: The Afrikanerbond's letter to Zuma

Pieter Vorster says his organisation is astounded by minister's unwarranted attack on Afrikaans community

LETTER AS FAXED TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT THIS MORNING

MR JACOB ZUMA

THE PRESIDENT

THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA 

Dear president Zuma

MINISTER XINGWANA'S PRONOUNCEMENTS ON AFRIKANERS DURING AN ABC INTERVIEW

MS LULU XINGWANA: "Young Afrikaner men are brought up in the Calvinist religion believing that they own a woman, they own a child, they own everything and therefore they can take that life because they own it."  Extract of ABC Transcript

The Afrikanerbond, as an Afrikaner interest organisation, objects in the strongest possible terms to the pronouncement made by  Ms Lulu Xingwana Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities during  an interview with theAustralian television channel ABC on Monday 25 February 2013. Ms Xingwana made the above extraordinary and astounding pronouncement during the interview and with reference to gun ownership and the tragedy surrounding Mr Oscar Pistorius.

In various meetings and discussions with you, the ANC leadership and other political parties we have continuously warned of the growing polarisation in the South African community due to hate speech and verbal attacks on communities and cultures. This was especially an issue during the leadership by Julius Malema of the ANC Youth League. We are therefore astounded by the unwarranted and baseless allegations against the Afrikaner community by a minister of your government. This is uncalled for and without any substance and aims to further drive a wedge between the different South African communities.

In our media statement we have said that at the very least she owes an unreserved apology to every Afrikaner, man, woman and child. There is however all the potential of a breach of trust in the relationship between cultural communities and the executive, if this matter is not addressed. We are of the opinion that she is undeserved of the continuance of her position in your cabinet. We believe that she has now used this unwarranted attack on Afrikaners to defend her lack of progress in her department and any substantial progress with a programme of action on the status of women and children.

We trust that you will open your heart and mind to our objection.  We believe that she has abused her position in government and must be called to order and for purposes of the defence of our constitutional democracy, it must be seen to be done.

Sincerely yours

Pieter Vorster

Chairperson of the Afrikanerbond

Issued by the Afrikanerbond, February 27 2013

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