Latest news with #Gouws
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Blairgowrie-based racer Johan Gouws shows resilience at Zwartkops Raceway
Blairgowrie racer Johan Gouws showcased grit, skill, and relentless pace to secure a pair of standout performances in Round 3 of the 2025 Formula Vee Championship at Zwartkops Raceway. Qualifying brought early drama when Gouws could only clock one timed lap before a sudden electrical issue struck. He said, luckily, it turned out to be just a battery earth wire that had come loose, and that single lap was good enough for 10th on the grid. Race 1 saw Gouws come alive off the line, launching past two cars before even reaching the first corner. With his car handling superbly, he took a hard-fought and well-deserved fifth-place finish. Read more: Sharonlea-based racer gets a taste of historic 1962 RE Alfa Formula 1 (F1) race car Starting fifth in Race 2, he wasted no time as he passed a couple of cars to slot into third early on. He said that while applying pressure on MD Bester in second place, he was under attack from a hungry six-car train behind. 'Midway through the race, proceedings were abruptly halted following a high-speed incident. Fortunately, both drivers walked away unscathed.' Also read: Sharonlea father and son racers deliver at the championship round of the Historic Single Seaters The restart brought fresh drama with Gouws involved in another chaotic contact and a high-speed spin. 'I was lucky not to hit anything; I managed to get the car started again and still passed two more cars to finish eighth. One of the best races I've ever had.' He added that his team did an amazing job prepping the car. 'It felt dialled in, a huge thanks to my sponsors for making this possible: Arcanjo Printer Repairs, Engineering, IRCA Global, and Advanced Fastening Systems.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Minor setback could not stop Blairgowrie racer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
eNCA
16-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Former DA MP acknowledges racist comments
JOHANNESBURG - Former DA MP Renaldo Gouws has issued an unconditional public apology for a racist video published in 2010. It contained racially offensive and harmful language directed at Black people. Gouws will also participate in workshops, public education and awareness activities. It's part of an agreement with the Human Rights Commission that includes him attending a diversity sensitisation session. READ: DA terminates Renaldo Gouws' party membership Gouws attacked Julius Malema, using the K-word, after the EFF leader sang the struggle song 'Kill the Boer'. SA Human Rights Commissioner Professor Tshepo Madlingozi had a discussion with eNCA's Gareth Edwards.
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Gouws issues apology after SAHRC hate speech complaint settlement over 2010 video
Former DA MP Renaldo Gouws has issued a public apology for his 2010 racist video after settling with the SAHRC. Former Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Renaldo Gouws has publicly apologised for his 2010 video, which contained racially offensive and harmful language directed towards black South Africans. Gouws and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) have reached a settlement in the complaint the commission lodged against the YouTuber-turned-politician before the Equality Court. The complaint was sparked by a video from March 2010 that resurfaced shortly after he was sworn in as an MP in 2024, where the controversial commentator is heard using multiple racial slurs. Gouws and SAHRC reach settlement The commission and Gouws announced on Friday that they had reached a settlement, resulting in the SAHRC withdrawing its hate speech case against him. As part of the agreement, Gouws is required to issue a full and unconditional public apology on video. Watch Gouws' apology video here: In the video, the Gouws read out the five-page apology. In the description, he said all the money raised from the video will be donated to the Coega Door of Hope in Nelson Mandela Bay. ALSO READ: Musk, Roland and Renaldo up in arms about Malema's latest 'Kill the Boer' song and dance [VIDEO] Gouws acknowledged that it was unacceptable for him to have used violent language while criticising Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema for singing 'Kill the Boer'. He acknowledged that the racial slurs he employed were 'unutterable and racist'. 'To all South Africans, especially black South Africans and black people globally – I am sorry. I am sorry for the pain, anger and trauma my words have caused. I am sorry for trying to justify, minimise and sanitise them,' he said. 'I am sorry for the pain, anger and trauma' 'I know that this apology does not erase what I said or did, but it is a step I must take to acknowledge the effect of my actions and begin to account for them.' Gouws also stated that while he still believes affirmative action and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) require improvement, he regrets and apologised for having previously equated them with apartheid. ALSO READ: DA defends Renaldo Gouws' appointment as deputy spokesperson in Parliament He also listed various charitable activities he undertook in the 15 years since the video was published, including raising funds for orphanages and assisting underprivileged communities. SAHRC confirmed that the matter was settled through its alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process and welcomed Gouws' apology. 'The commission welcomes Mr Gouws' acknowledgement of the impact of his past conduct and reiterates that the right to freedom of expression must be exercised in a manner that respects the dignity and equality of all people,' SAHRC said in a statement. Diversity sensitisation sessions It added that Gouws will participate in two sessions convened by the SAHRC, which will consist of workshops, public education and/or awareness-raising activities aligned with the commission's mandate, as well as attending a diversity sensitisation session The DA Federal Executive suspended Gouws with immediate effect in June last year after the video, which was removed from YouTube in 2013, resurfaced in an IOL article, triggering national outrage. ALSO READ: Suspended DA member Renaldo Gouws facing Equality Court battle In his apology, Gouws maintained that the article misrepresented the context of his words, but he admitted that he was defiant and dismissive of the public outrage, which diluted his initial apology. The commentator also retracted his previous accusations against the SAHRC and acknowledged their vital role in combating racial hostility. Gouws hopes to close this chapter 'In the past year, I have recently been made aware that other social media users vilify and dox specific SAHRC officials. I condemn such actions to all South Africans, especially black South Africans and black people,' he said. Gouws concluded that he hopes the settlement and his apology will close this chapter of his life and allow for personal and national healing.
Eyewitness News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Former DA MP Gouws apologises for racist remarks after settling out-of-court with SAHRC
JOHANNESBURG - Former Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Renaldo Gouws has apologised for his racist remarks after settling out of court with the South African Human Rights Commission in his hate speech case. Gouws landed in hot water in 2024 after a video he took in 2010 resurfaced. In the viral footage, Gouws could be seen using racially offensive and harmful language directed at Black South Africans. He was recalled by the DA from the National Assembly before severing ties with the party. In the five-page-long apology dated 14 May, Gouws said that he acknowledges now that the language he used in that video was unacceptable, degrading to Black people and harmful to social cohesion. He also apologised for taking 15 years to take full responsibility for his remarks. 'To all South Africans, especially Black South Africans, and Black people globally, I am sorry. I am sorry for the pain, anger and trauma my words have caused. I am sorry for trying to justify, minimise and sanitise them. I know that this apology does not erase what I said or did, but it is a step, I must take to acknowledge the effect of my actions and begin to account for them. I remain committed to learning, listening, and doing the difficult work of repair.' Spokesperson for the commission, Wisani Baloyi, said, 'The commission welcomes Mr Gouws's acknowledgement of the impact of his past conduct and reiterates that the right to freedom of expression must be exercised in a manner that respects the dignity and equality of all people.' The SAHRC said that Gouws still has to attend two public awareness workshops as part of his settlement.
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Did Renaldo Gouws get off too easily or does he deserve a second chance after apology?
Former DA MP Renaldo Gouws has issued a public apology after reaching an out-of-court settlement with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which will withdraw a hate-speech case lodged against him in the equality court. The controversy stems from resurfaced footage from 2010 in which Gouws reacted angrily to EFF leader Julius Malema chanting 'Kill the boer, kill the farmer.' In the video, Gouws used the k-word, called Malema a 'black idiot' and described those who sang with him as 'barbaric people'. After the backlash and legal action, Gouws posted an apology video on X and YouTube, stating: 'The commission and I have reached an out-of-court settlement. This means they will withdraw the hate speech case against me before the equality court. One of the requirements is to make an apology video.' In his apology, Gouws admitted his words were 'deeply hurtful' to black South Africans, though he stood by his view that the chant itself was insensitive and divisive. The SAHRC is expected to issue a statement on the matter soon.
