The following letter was handed to the Minister of Arts and Culture at the National Social Cohesion Summit in Kliptown today:
Dear Minister Mashatile
AfriForum would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the National Social Cohesion Summit. The promotion of peaceful coexistence, as well as mutual recognition and respect amongst all communities in South Africa are guiding principles of AfriForum.
AfriForum however believes that peaceful coexistence can only be realised in South Africa once the ANC takes responsibility for its own actions by putting an end to hate speech and racist statements made by its own members.
AfriForum herewith presents a report about such hate speech, as well as other polarising statements made by senior ANC members since the election of Jacob Zuma as President, to you. We hope this report (by no means comprehensive) will create awareness of the great responsibility on the shoulders of government and the ANC to establish an environment favourable to mutual respect and recognition, in order to enable all South African residents to coexist peacefully, to the benefit of all.
We would welcome any opportunity to discuss this report, our concerns and any other aspects arising from it with you or any representative of the ANC.
