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Zuma seeks help from traditional leaders in fighting racism

Xinhua, March 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday urged traditional leaders to join the fight against racism.

"We were reminded sharply early this year that there is still a need to continue the fight against racism and prejudice and to ensure that respect for all regardless of their race, colour or creed is entrenched amongst all our people," Zuma said at the Annual Opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders in Parliament.

He was referring to rising racial tension sparked by anti-black comments which labelled blacks as "monkeys" during the new year holiday.

"As we mark 22 years of freedom this year, we confirm that as South Africa we are united against racism," Zuma said.

He said it is for this reason that the government has declared March 2016 as the anti-racism month to spread the message that South Africans are united against racism in their country.

He urged traditional leaders to join the campaign against racism in their areas, including participation in the national day against racism on March 21, 2016 and the Human Rights Day in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

"Let all South Africans speak in on voice on March 21 and every other day, and say we are united against racism and that together we will continue to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa," the president said. Enditem