Those who are racist should not bother voting for the Democratic Alliance, party leader Mmusi Maimane said on Tuesday.
Speaking in Johannesburg, Maimane said there was no place for racists within the DA.
“Racists are not welcomed in the DA. If you are thinking of voting for the DA and you are a racist, please do not vote for us,” Maimane said to a round of applause at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
“We have a duty to act against those who engage in racial discrimination and racial mobilisation. There is no place in the DA for people who believe that the colour of their skin renders them superior to others. No DA member must be satisfied until we fundamentally address the structural inequality of our society. No DA member must ever turn a blind eye to racism, no matter how subtle or coded it may be.”
Maimane added that he would soon introduce a racism pledge to be signed by every new and returning DA member when they join the party.
The pledge would require the signatory to uphold the values of the country’s constitution, reject discrimination, agree not to perpetuate racial division or undermine the dignity of others.
“Members found to be in violation of this oath will have their party membership revoked immediately, no questions asked,” Maimane added.
Maimane’s address on the issue of race relations follows in the wake of several incidents of racist utterings which have rocked South Africa and unleashed a storm of protest on social media.
Former estate agent Penny Sparrow, economist Chris Hart, radio and television presenter Gareth Cliff and others, have all been in the spotlight in recent weeks after public utterances which drew the public ire, while a huge billboard with the legend #Zumamustfall which dominated the Cape Town skyline on Friday was deemed to be racist.
The billboard space at the top of Long Street towered over its surroundings until it was torn down by angry ANC supporters on Saturday.
– African News Agency (ANA)
