In telling our story, I am reminded of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels who famously said that if you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth. Sadly, this is an accurate explanation for how Hank’s Olde Irish Pub made headlines after being accused of racism.
The lie told by Thabiso Danca about why he was barred from entering our pub was that our bouncer told him, ‘If you come in here, I know what you’re like: you steal. You guys cause trouble. You need to come in here with a white person.’
His friend Christopher Logan, a self-professed anti-racism activist and social media influencer, would repeat this lie when he confronted me and staff the following day. Logan filmed the encounter and released an edited version on social media that almost immediately went viral, sparking outrage among many South Africans. The two would repeat this lie to journalists who reported on the incident, which not only made headlines in South Africa but also internationally.
We have gone to great lengths to investigate, with the police and our legal team, what transpired on 1 December 2022, when Danca attempted to enter Hanks. These investigations have found no evidence that our bouncer said what Danca claims.
What happened when Danco tried to enter our pub was that, given our strict no-under-21 policy, our door staff exercised their right to request identification. Danca could not provide a valid ID and was denied entrance. Later, his friends, who had entered the pub earlier, confronted our staff, accusing them of racism. Our staff engaged in a respectful dialogue, explaining the situation, and eventually allowing Danca to join his friends after confirming his age. The problem was resolved through understanding and compassion – or so we thought.
The following day marked the beginning of a nightmare for us when Logan, who had not witnessed the events firsthand, entered our pub. Despite our efforts to calmly explain the facts, he became physically aggressive and had to be removed from our premises. CCTV footage clearly indicates that he was the instigator, a detail omitted from his selectively edited video. It’s worth noting that his initial video was professionally edited by a videographer, which was conveniently ignored once his video gained traction.
Both men would lay charges of assault and racial misconduct against us. But the matter never made it to the court roll. Sometimes, a case is placed on a court roll and then withdrawn. But this matter was not even put on a court roll once the evidence, or lack thereof, had been considered by a senior prosecutor.
The video sparked racial tension and caused us to temporarily close to ensure the safety of our patrons and staff. The Economic Freedom Fighters led protests outside the pub while the South African Human Rights Commission announced it would investigate allegations of racism against it.
To date, the commission has made no statements on any findings. The Equality Court sent us charges, but when we addressed the issues, we were met with silence. We have insisted they conclude the matter or address our response.
After enduring nine months of these unfounded accusations, we are finally compelled to break our silence. The allegations have cast a shadow over our business, reputation, and the unwavering goodwill we’ve built over two decades. The impact of these accusations has been profound, leading to significant challenges for our staff, business operations, and community initiatives.
The subsequent social media onslaught triggered protests and violence at our pub, forcing us to close our doors temporarily to ensure everyone’s safety. Our establishment, however, has a history of community engagement that goes beyond entertainment. For fifteen years, we’ve been dedicated to supporting the city’s homeless population, regardless of their background or orientation. Our business has financed weekly food kitchens, offered guidance, aided in securing shelter and IDs, and provided essentials during the winter months. Even during the Covid pandemic, we stood by Cape Town’s refugee community when government support wavered, providing food, shelter, and other necessities.
A commitment to diversity and inclusivity has been a cornerstone at Hanks since its inception. We take pride in serving a diverse demographic of patrons and providing a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. While we’ve always maintained a right-of-admission policy that caters to an older age group who want a sophisticated ambience, racial profiling has never been a part of our approach.
To be unjustly accused of racism cuts deeply, harming our reputation and our business, staff, and community initiatives. We are committed to upholding the values we’ve held for years—values centred around exceptional service, diverse music offerings, and an unmatched atmosphere. Today, we share our story to set the record straight and restore our reputation based on the truth.
[Image: Supplied]
The views of the writer are not necessarily the views of the Daily Friend or the IRR
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