THE ANC's CONDONATION OF RACIST HATESPEACH SONGS AND UTTERANCES MAKES IT AN ACCOMPLICE IN RACE BASED ATTACKS

The senseless Eugene Terreblanche murder once again puts the farm attacks in South Africa in the spotlight.

Farm attacks, especially in the North West Province have striking resemblances:

• Victims are mostly aged and vulnerable
• They are usually surprised by their attackers
• They are sometimes brutalized and tortured for hours
• The attackers are usually young, particularly brutal, cruel and vicious
• The SAPS`s immediate reaction is usually predictable in saying: "there is no political motive"

In the light of the above it is not strange that the perception exists that farm attacks are politically motivated and ever increasing.

This creates a sense of mistrust and polarization on the base of race amongst the farming community.

These farm attacks take place within a climate and culture created and promoted by irresponsible statements like those of NW Cosatu`s secretary Solly Phetoe, whom has repeatedly accused farmers of torturing and murdering farm workers. Contributing to this environment is the singing of racist inciting songs by the ANC Youth League Leader, Julius Malema.

The ANC's stubborn defense of "struggle songs" containing words such as "shoot the boer" not only condones its use but also gives a message that it supports the use thereof. The ANC viewpoint that these songs are part of it's struggle history does not take into account the reality that these songs are being sung by emotionally incited young men who never had any part of the "struggle".

These songs are sung with a clear intention of racially polarizing ethnic groups. It creates the breeding ground for cowardly farm attacks on vulnerable elderly farmers. This environment might even contribute to a perception that these individuals are gaining hero status by their actions.

The intentional provocation of the farming community heightens the racial stress, especially in rural areas.

It is noticeable that the same groups singing these songs, and defend it as part of their history take personal offense whenever other symbols hailing from the past of South-Africa are being exhibited i.e. the old flag.

This controversial ANC song that has been prohibited by the High Court (Ayesaba Amagwala) in which whites and farmers are being described as dogs, cowards, thiefs and rapists which should be killed would be banned in any democracy other than that of South Africa and

Zimbabwe. This makes the question arise::"what is the agenda of the ANC if they are not only willing to keep these songs alive - but to defend the continuous use of it in the highest court?"

The consequences of this increasing racial polarization through extremists like Malema has indeed become a time bomb which cannot be ignored any longer.

Until the ANC unambiguously expresses itself against this racist provocation as contained in these songs racial tensions and related incidents will increase.

This will have significant implications for South-Africa and consequently the ANC can no longer claim innocence in these incidents.

Statement issued by Chris Hattingh, Democratic Alliance North West provincial leader, April 5 2010

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