‘Should you – or any direct descendant – qualify as a candidate under SA’s empowerment policies?’
This is the question put to 15 prominent South Africans in letters sent out on Monday in the name of the Racism is NOT The Problem movement. This initiative established by the IRR recently to confront racial hypocrisy in South Africa, expose the race hustler industry, and slay the myth that racism is the greatest problem facing the country.
The 15 prominent South Africans are actress/entrepreneur Pearl Thusi; musician/entrepreneur Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo (Black Coffee); musician/entrepreneur Refiloe Phoolo (Cassper Nyovest); leader of the Democratic Alliance John Steenhuisen; President Cyril Ramaphosa; leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema; leader of the Freedom Front Plus Pieter Groenewald; Speaker of the National Assembly Thandi Modise; CEO of Sygnia Investments Magda Wierzycka; CEO of Discovery Adrian Gore; CEO of Standard Bank Lungisa Fuzile; CEO of Telkom Sipho Maseko; Vice-Chancellor of Wits University Zeblon Vilakazi; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town Mamokgethi Phakeng; and Rector and Principal of the University of Stellenbosch Wim de Villiers.
The question cuts to the heart of race-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) measures intended as a tool to uplift the poor and downtrodden, but in practice, chiefly a means for a greedy elite to enrich themselves in perpetuity.
The IRR said in a media statement yesterday that the 15 South Africans to whom the letters have been sent were chosen since all of them hold prominent and influential positions in South Africa and are looked up to as role models by their peers.
The list contains names from business, entertainment, and academia. Some on the list are strong supporters of BEE and similar race-based empowerment policies while others criticize it.
The statement said: ‘None of the individuals are shy to comment on questions of policy in South Africa so engaging with this issue will be nothing new to them. A simple yes or no answer will suffice, though further motivations are welcome.
‘The policies that South Africa uses to help its disadvantaged are so important to the future of the country that no person can claim to be ambivalent about them, and the views of prominent opinion-formers, policy-makers, and social influencers have great public influence. We will therefore publish the results and make them available for the public to consider.
‘If any of the candidates we have selected refuses to answer, we would regard that as odd, given their proclivity for commenting on similar matters, and may be impelled to interrogate why this specific question makes them uncomfortable.’
Said IRR head of campaigns Gabriel Crouse: ‘On one view, a person is always “disadvantaged”, no matter how rich, powerful, or influential they are, just as long as they have a certain appearance. This view underpins South Africa’s current legal approach. ‘President Ramaphosa called for a review, and reviewing racial fetishisation is a must. Polling suggests that ordinary South Africans think it is absurd or even insulting to call a millionaire “disadvantaged”, but do millionaires, taste-makers, and political leaders agree? Wait and see.’
Learn more about the new Racism is NOT the problem movement here.
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash