MEDIA STATEMENT BY CONCERNED SOUTH AFRICANS MEETING ON 29 FEBRUARY 2016 IN PRETORIA
As concerned South Africans, coming from churches, unions, business and civil society organisations, we are deeply disturbed by the increasingly strained relationship among South African communities and the escalation of racist incidents, including recent protests at universities.
We unequivocally reject racism from any quarter and warn that any exploitation of racism for political purposes is extremely dangerous. We call on all South Africans from all our communities to treat one another with respect for their human dignity, tolerance for differences and consideration for their concerns, interests and aspirations.
We are worried about the consequences of anger and fear and the further escalation of racial tension. In particular, our young people are vulnerable. We recognise the real hurt that can be caused by arrogant, aggressive, thoughtless and insensitive attitudes and we commit ourselves to combatting this. At the same time, people from all races must be judged by what they as individuals do and say, not according to their race.
We commend instances where various organisations and communities have formed alliances with universities to combat violence and racism in order to seek stable, peaceful and sustainable solutions.
We identified a need for a renewed reconciliation and peace building process through which South Africans across a broad spectrum can deliberate a shared vision and the societal challenges we face. For this reason, we will collectively and individually engage with our fellow South Africans to promote this process. We appeal to all South Africans to support our call for renewed reconciliation.
We shall seek an urgent high-level meeting with government to discuss our deep concerns in a spirit of mutual recognition and respect.
The following organisations and persons were present at the meeting and decided to sign the statement (in alphabetical order, according to organisation):
Afriforum - Kallie Kriel
Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI) could not attend the meeting, but decided to support the statement through their president, Christo Botes.
Afrikaanse Taalraad - Dr Conrad Steenkamp
Afrikanerbond - Jaco Schoeman and Jan Bosman
Afrisake - Cornelius Janse van Rensburg
AgriSA - Omri van Zyl
ATKV - Japie Gouws
Executive of the Convocation of the University of Stellenbosch - Adv Jan Heunis
FAK - Prof Danie Goosen
Fedsas - Paul Colditz
FW de Klerk Foundation - Dr Theuns Eloff
Gereformeerde Kerke in SA - Dr Cassie Aucamp
Hervormde Kerk - Prof Wim Dreyer
National Employers Association of SA (NEASA) - Gerhard Papenfus
NP van Wyk Louw Sentrum vir Gemeenskapstudies - Dr Danie Langner
Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU) - Chris Klopper and Dr Jopie Breed
Solidarity Movement - Flip Buys and Dr Dirk Herman
Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns - Dr Dione Prinsloo and Prof Irma Eloff
Voortrekkers - Dr Danie Langner
Die Dutch Reformed Church (Dr Nelis van Rensburg) also attended the meeting. Although the DRC decided rather to focus on initiatives they have already embarked on in this regard, they did state that they can identify with the media statement.
Individuals from the initiative are also in discussion with various civil society organisations, including the Helen Suzman Foundation, to get their agreement.
A continuation committee was also appointed to take forward the issues on which decisions had been made, in particular discussions with the government and other concerned organisations and individuals. The committee consists of: Prof Irma Eloff (SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns), Paul Colditz (Fedsas), Flip Buys (Solidarity), Dr Nelis van Rensburg (DRC), Jan Bosman (Afrikanerbond) and Dr Theuns Eloff (FW de Klerk Foundation).
Statement issued by Dr Theuns Eloff, FW de Klerk Foundation, 2 March 2016
