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The South African
6 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Julius Malema's EFF calls for immediate sacking of Gayton McKenzie
Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for the immediate removal of Gayton McKenzie as Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture following the resurfacing of a long history of hateful, racist, and dehumanising remarks he has made about black people. RELATED | Renaldo Gouws claps back at Gayton's K-word bombshell In a series of now viral tweets, McKenzie referred to black people using the derogatory and apartheid-era slur 'kaffir', describing them as having no ambition beyond 'collecting cattle to buy a wife' and living in 'indolence and nakedness,' a quote he attributed to Gandhi who was known for his racist sentiments. In other posts, he claimed that terms such as 'tenderpreneur' and 'Black Diamond' merely mean 'a better kaffir,' reinforcing the idea that black people are inferior and deserving of insult regardless of their achievements. Furthermore, he called our fellow Africans 'ape looking women.' ALSO READ | Gayton McKenzie responds to racism accusations The EFF claimed in a statement on Saturday that 'these are not minor lapses or slips of the tongue, they are deliberate, repeated, and deeply harmful expressions of anti-Black prejudice. 'They mirror the historical language of white supremacists and apartheid apologists, and they reopen the wounds of generations who have been dehumanised in their own land. 'The removal of Renaldo Gouws following his racist remarks set a clear precedent: those who openly degrade black people should have no place in leadership, especially in positions that require engagement with diverse communities. 'McKenzie's words have the same impact, if not worse, because they come from a coloured man weaponising the language of the oppressor against black people.' The EFF added that 'it is also the height of hypocrisy for McKenzie to demand accountability from others when he himself harbours the same hateful attitudes. 'Recently, when podcasters on 'Open Chats' made offensive remarks about coloured people – calling them 'incestuous' and 'crazy' – McKenzie expressed outrage, opened a case against them, and demanded a public apology. 'While he was right to be offended by prejudice directed at his community, this double standard strips him of any moral or ethical standing to lead on issues of non-racialism and social cohesion. 'It is important to note that these remarks were made years after his release from prison, demonstrating that he is not 'rehabilitated' as he claims. 'His words prove that his outlook remains rooted in division, hate, and disdain for the very people he now claims to serve. 'As the EFF we have consistently called attention to the risks of employing former gang members and criminals into positions of power, and we are unfortunately consistently vindicated every time McKenzie opens his mouth.' The EFF went on to add that 'the Ministry of Sports, Arts & Culture is entrusted with promoting unity, inclusion, and pride in our diverse heritage. 'It must lead outreach to the very communities McKenzie has called kaffirs and portrayed as less than human. 'Leaving him in office sends the message that the government condones such racism, provided it comes from a politically connected individual.' The closing, the EFF stated that it 'therefore, demands immediate removal of Gayton McKenzie as Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture and a public apology to all black South Africans for his repeated use of racial slurs and degrading stereotypes. 'South Africa cannot claim to be building a non-racial and equal society while entrusting leadership positions to individuals who have, without shame, demeaned the humanity of black people. Accountability must apply to all.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
07-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Racist comments on Open Chats Podcast spark outrage; MultiChoice clarifies stance
Open Chats Podcast have sparked a profound uproar across South Africa, disrupting the nation's dialogue on race, dignity, and freedom of speech. Image: Supplied MultiChoice has distanced itself from the Open Chats Podcast amid growing backlash over racist comments made by the hosts towards the coloured community. In response to inquiries from IOL, a spokesperson for MultiChoice confirmed their awareness of the recent controversy, stating, "Open Chats' contract with DStv ended on July 25, as the show was removed to make way for our August content slate. The episode in question was not aired on our platform." The spokesperson further emphasised that MultiChoice adheres to stringent quality control processes and does not endorse any form of discriminatory content. "MultiChoice adheres to stringent quality control processes and does not promote any discriminatory content," the spokesperson said. In the clip, which, according to the podcast team, has since been deleted from the recording, the hosts make several racist comments, claiming that not only do coloured families have sexual relationships with each other (incest), but they also suffer mental issues. "Coloureds apparently chow (have sex with) each other," one of the hosts says. In response, a co-host says, "I do believe that because coloureds are crazy. A case has since been opened by the Patriotic Alliance. The apology Image: Facebook The podcast has issued a public apology via its social media pages, regretting the incident. "The intention was never to cause harm or disrespect the coloured community. Open Chats is a platform centred around open conversations which does at times touch on sensitive topics, and with that said we do understand that as a platform we should conduct our conversations in a respectful manner." However, the apology has been slammed by various sectors. Civil society organisation Cape Forum called the apology "inadequate since it serves more as an explanation of the wrongdoing rather than displaying sincere regrets". The forum's executive chairperson, Heindrich Wyngaard, said a generic note of regret after such a serious and defamatory incident cannot be seen as sincere accountability. "There is no direct admission of wrongdoing, nor any meaningful commitment to reparative action.' Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in Presidency for Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike also called out the podcast for their utterances. 'I reiterate my position, that all media platforms, including podcasts, must adhere to the regulations that ensure fair and responsible communication. We value freedom of expression, but it must be balanced with accountability," Letsike said. The Northern Cape National Coloured Congress has condemned racist utterances. "This is not satire. This is not banter. What we are witnessing is the manifestation of deep-seated racism, camouflaged as commentary, but ultimately weaponised against a community that has already suffered decades of exclusion, misrepresentation, and marginalisation, both under apartheid and now, heartbreakingly, under democratic rule," the NCC's Dean Goliath said. The DAs Ivan Meyer said the party has reported the matter to the SAHRC. "Hate speech, harmful racial stereotyping, and the public degradation of any group in our society cannot be tolerated," Meyer said. The ANC has also added its voice to the growing condemnation. "These statements are not only offensive, but they run completely counter to the founding values of our democratic society; values of human dignity, non-racialism, and unity. "To generalise and mock an entire community in the manner that was done is not only deeply hurtful but also a betrayal of the progress South Africans have made," the party said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
