Without playing the blame game, I can say without fear of contradiction that the conduct of the people who were waving placards with racially divisive slogans, the Transvaal Vierkleur flag and demanding that Die Stem be sung at Church Square in Pretoria did not help at all.
In fact, these people are idiots that should – if they had a proper education and could get a visa – live in another country. Could I suggest Australia where you will find the largest population of stupid racists in the world. These Neanderthal thinkers – who call the likes of part time singer Steve Hofmeyr their leader – is an embarrassment to the majority of Afrikaners and Afrikaans speakers who would like to live in racial harmony with all other South Africans.
The violent confrontation between members of the FF+ and EFF at Church Square could have been prevented if both parties chose to conduct a meaningful debate on South Africa’s shared history. To talk about a divided past and the mistakes of the past will always set parties on a road of understanding. Singing The Stem and clinging to a violent past will not achieve anything.
The DA is correct to say in a statement this week that the conduct of these people sets a very bad precedent for future engagements on sensitive national issues. The conduct of fringe minority groups will only fuel division, hatred and fear.
The reactionary and racially divisive defence of these aspects of our collective national history makes these protests from the far-right no better than the actions of those defacing and destroying monuments and statues across the country.
It is important that a constructive national dialogue reflects on the diversity and shared heritage of all South Africans and hinges on the real substance of transformation in South Africa.
There are many people who agree, if you want to move forward leave the past behind… Even Chester Missing had something to say on twitter.
ALSO READ: As monuments fall, so will the SA nation
Would’ve had more empathy for @SunetteBridges & @steve_hofmeyr #statues crusade if they left their Vierkleur at home! pic.twitter.com/4hJYeRk9ZC
— Ulrich J v Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) April 8, 2015
@UlrichJvV @SunetteBridges @steve_hofmeyr Now why the FLAG!! Sies man.. doen iets vir die land en nie net vir jou ou Flaggie nie.
— Gavin (@GHeinrichT) April 8, 2015
In other words he had at least two qualities you don’t @steve_hofmeyr, if you can read. pic.twitter.com/44rf8oEuCx
— Chester Missing (@chestermissing) April 9, 2015
