Scholars in South Africa urges dialogue to stem racism resurgence

Some scholars in South Africa have said there is an urgent need to open frank and honest discussions on racism to ensure it does not resurge in the country.

They made the remarks during a discussion panel organized by the Governance School of University of Witwatersrand on Wednesday night.

Former Parliament Speaker, Max Sisulu, told Xinhua that conversation around racism should continue in the country for South Africans to come up with a decision whether to criminalize racism or not.

"We have to encourage debate in the subject so that we can have a collective responsibility. In the past we had to sit down with our former oppressors, apartheid architects, to discuss racism," the former anti-apartheid stalwart said.

Sisulu said addressing racism will lead to inclusive socio-economic growth in the country.

George Bizos, a lawyer who represented Nelson Mandela in his treason trial, said it was not easy to criminalize racism in the country.

"We must be very careful in criminalizing generalization. I don't think it would be fruitful. We may have to rely on civil remedies. The best thing is to respond to the vulgarity said in public place," Bizos said.

Public Protector advocate, Thuli Madonsela, said it was not easy to criminalize racism but some elements of it.

She said currently when one experienced racism, the person could approach the Equality Court and open a case over hate speech, or report it to some institutions like the South African Human Rights Commission.

"We have the Equality Act which creates a framework for measures and remedies. The conversation around the issue has to continue," she said.

Mandonsela said there were cultural, social, economic, gender and sexuality issues surrounding the racism topic and all needed to be addressed.

She added the constitution was supposed to be the bridge to address racism.

Prof. Cathi Albertyn, a law lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand, agreed with Madonsela that there were sections of the constitution which criminalizes hate speech or institutions like the South African Human Rights Commission that deal with it.

"There are some legal frameworks in our constitution to address some aspects of racism like the Equality Act and the Employment Equity. An individual can approach the courts as they are tools to handle the issue. I think a dialogue, listening to each is important and will take us forward. It would be difficult to regulate attitudes," she said.

However visiting European Network against Racism vice chairperson, Momodou Jallow, said South Africa should have had criminalized racism long before like other countries in Europe.

"People need to feel protected from racism by the legislation. Criminalizing racism should not even be a question. We need to have policies and tools to protect the people's rights," he said.

But he also said some sections of the constitution recommended the democratic government address racism through dialogue. Endit