Patience of black people diminishing: Sasco
Updated | By Catrine Malan

"The so-called 'blackface' incident where two white students... depict themselves as black domestics is not only distasteful but also racist to the extreme," Sasco president Ntuthuko Makhombothi said in a statement.
"Black women in our country continue to suffer from triple oppression as black, female, and working class. This incident ridicules the situation of black women in our country and reinforces racist stereotypes about our mothers."
The picture shows two female students in domestic worker outfits with black paint smeared on their faces and arms. They pose with headscarves and padded bottoms. The picture, which had reportedly gone viral on social networking sites, was published in Beeld and The Times on Wednesday.
The University of Pretoria (UP) earlier told Sapa it had launched an investigation into the possibly racist behaviour.
"The investigation began yesterday," UP spokeswoman Nicolize Mulder said.
"The university... will not tolerate any form of discrimination and/or racist behaviour by any of its staff or students. The behaviour by the students in the photographs is completely unacceptable."
Mulder said the picture was taken at a private 21st birthday party but because they were students at the institution, action would be taken.
"Because the students are registered UP students who by their actions brought the name of the university into disrepute, disciplinary steps against the students have been taken," she said.
Sasco said it felt "particularly angered".
"It is clear to us that the white community assisted by institutions of white privilege, like UP, are teaching white youth to disrespect and poke fun at black suffering," he said.
"Clearly the myth about reconciliation in our country, propagated by white reactionary media, is an illusion."
The continued existence of "institutions of white privilege" was an untenable "crisis".
"Black students will not fold their arms as their suffering and that of their parents is made fun of. The dignity of Africans cannot be trampled on without consequences to the perpetrators.
"We have absolutely no confidence in the supposed disciplinary action the university seeks to institute against their precious white students."
The SA Human Rights Commission said it was not investigating the case as it did not receive a complaint.
Surely the whole #blackface incident, even if it was "just a joke", raises a bigger issues: why do people find domestic workers funny?
— Lauren Dixon-Paver (@LD_P) August 6, 2014
Many of my black colleagues see nothing wrong with #BlackFace while my white colleagues are generally outraged. Sign of the times?
— Lynne O'Connor (@LynneOConn) August 6, 2014
White people, we need to do better. Yes, all of us. #blackface
— Sian Ferguson (@sianfergs) August 6, 2014
I find it hilarious that those who see #blackface as freedom of expression are probably the same voices who cried out over 'Kill The Boer'.
— Sam Cook (@cooklet) August 6, 2014
This blackface thing is funny to me. We blacks are OBSESSED with race. We are actually the racist ones!! Over sensitive! Everyone must burn
— Mama Thato (@MphoMaboi) August 6, 2014
So black females can bleach themselves but whites can't paint their faces black. #BlackFace #StudentRacism pic.twitter.com/pr1X4EyErA
— Nomzamo Madikizela (@iAmThatGuy__) August 6, 2014
But why are we offended by #BlackFace when #WhiteFace has been dancing like a clown at every intersection, re rata go batla "racism" e seo
— Mr.Snob™ (@OfentseZA) August 6, 2014
Leon Schuster has been doing Blackface on almost all of his movies
— Sihle Khanyile (@sihle_khanyile) August 6, 2014
This #blackface saga is putting a totally new spin to how we see Leon Schuster's movies, doesn't it?
— Sbonelo Hlophe (@SboneloHlophe) August 6, 2014
but leon Schuster uses a #blackface all the time...Tweeps be very selective about what irks them
— Thohira Mitha (@taineechan) August 6, 2014
Look at the Tukkies #blackface pic. The skin, doeks, big butts. It is performed stereotype of the black female body. pic.twitter.com/gyspkz2zyb
— T. O. (@TOMolefe) August 6, 2014
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