Zuma: Marches show racism still exists
President Jacob Zuma says the marches held across the country last week, calling for him to step down, is proof that racism in South Africa “is real and exists in our country”.
Zuma was speaking at the 24th annual commemoration of the murder of former South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani in Boksburg.
“Many placards and posters displayed beliefs that we thought had been buried in 1994, with some posters depicting black people as baboons. It is clear that some of our white compatriots regard black people as being lesser human beings or sub-humans.”
Zuma says racism is no longer hidden away, like it was in the early years of democracy.
“Racists no longer fear being caught or exposed. This must be saying something to us as a country. It is important that we win this struggle so that South Africa can become a non-racial, non-sexist society,” Zuma says.
Zuma believes the impact of policies which enable the emergence of black-owned businesses have not been sufficient.
“We have created pathways for the emergence of black-owned business in various sectors of our economy. However, the impact of these changes has not been to the desired effect. Twenty-three years into our freedom and democracy the majority of blacks are still economically disempowered and are dissatisfied with the limited economic gains from our liberation. This is why we have chosen to focus on radical economic transformation in the remaining term of this government.”
Nine opposition parties, including the EFF, UDM and DA will march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday to demand President Zuma’s removal. Wednesday also happens to be the President’s 75th birthday.