The Human Rights Commission of SA (HRCSA) expressed concern about growing levels of racism in South Africa, making reference to Julius Malema's hate speech trial in its Freedom Day message on Wednesday.
"The commission is concerned about the growing levels of intolerant and racist discourse that seems to have crept into our dialogue and conversations," spokesperson Vincent Moaga said in a statement.
"This is evidenced in various Equality Court complaints."
He was referring to the hate speech trial of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema for his singing of "shoot the boer".
Over the last two weeks, the words "dubhula ibhunu" and their symbolic, literal and historic meaning were scrutinised by witnesses from TAU-SA and AfriForum, who brought the case against Malema and the ANC.
Moaga said this year's Freedom Day celebrations came at a painful and difficult time.
He was referring to Andries Tatane, who was allegedly killed at the hands of police in Ficksburg on 13 April during a protest.
Many of the protests in South Africa in recent years related to service delivery issues and wage disparities.
"As is common cause in a society where the levels of social injustice and inequality are high, competition over scarce resources often manifests itself through intolerance.
"As a result, a society becomes more polarised and this [halts] meaningful attempts at social cohesion and national unity."
The commission has cautioned citizens that freedom of expression has limitations and comes with responsibilities
http://news.iafrica.com/sa/724319.html
Leaders have a moral responsibility of promoting national unity irrespective of their party affiliations and ethnic background.
"The commission is concerned about the growing levels of intolerant and racist discourse that seems to have crept into our dialogue and conversations," spokesperson Vincent Moaga said in a statement.
"This is evidenced in various Equality Court complaints."
He was referring to the hate speech trial of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema for his singing of "shoot the boer".
Over the last two weeks, the words "dubhula ibhunu" and their symbolic, literal and historic meaning were scrutinised by witnesses from TAU-SA and AfriForum, who brought the case against Malema and the ANC.
Moaga said this year's Freedom Day celebrations came at a painful and difficult time.
He was referring to Andries Tatane, who was allegedly killed at the hands of police in Ficksburg on 13 April during a protest.
Many of the protests in South Africa in recent years related to service delivery issues and wage disparities.
"As is common cause in a society where the levels of social injustice and inequality are high, competition over scarce resources often manifests itself through intolerance.
"As a result, a society becomes more polarised and this [halts] meaningful attempts at social cohesion and national unity."
The commission has cautioned citizens that freedom of expression has limitations and comes with responsibilities
http://news.iafrica.com/sa/724319.html
Leaders have a moral responsibility of promoting national unity irrespective of their party affiliations and ethnic background.
