Racism remains an issue in S. Africa: Presidency

South African President Jacob Zuma has never said racism is not an issue in South Africa, the Presidency said on Monday.

The Presidency was responding to a report by the Independent Newspapers group which "erroneously" quoted Zuma as saying in his Sunday speech marking the 104th anniversary of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) that racism was not an issue in South Africa.

What Zuma stated was that South Africa had addressed institutionalised racism since 1994 and that the problem that remained was that of individuals who still harboured racism and prejudice, presidential spokesperson Bogani Majola said.

Zuma emphasised that all should be done to eradicate racism in society and that there should be consequences for racism, said Majola.

South Africa continues the task of building a non-racial society, Majola said.

Anti-black comments have emerged on social media over the past few days, sparking a public uproar.

It all started when Penny Sparrow, an estate agent, labelled blacks as "monkeys" who were released onto public beaches in Durban during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Zuma said in his Sunday speech that it is clear that there is a minority in South Africa that still harbours a desire to separate our communities and who idolise apartheid era leaders," Zuma said.

"These people don't represent the true character of the new South Africa,"he said.

The ANC, Zuma said, has put in place laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of race. Enditem