Johannesburg – The more things change, the more they stay the same – another racist incident has been exposed on social media in which a white man gets called out for referring to black female shoppers as “baboons”.
In the video clips, which The Bulrushes has not independently verified, the white man can be seen being escorted out of a Food Lover’s Market by shop staff.
With other shoppers witnessing the awful episode, the white man was followed out of the market by a black woman loudly admonishing him for calling her a baboon.
The incident has drawn a response from the African Transformation Movement (ATM), which said it “unequivocally condemns the recent racist incident at Food Lover’s Market in Fourways, where a couple callously referred to Black patrons as ‘baboons’.”
The ATM said: “This dehumanising act is not merely an isolated case of individual prejudice; it reflects a pervasive culture of racism that continues to undermine our democracy and societal unity”.
Racism is not only a moral failing but also a crime that violates the Bill of Rights.
Section 9 of the Constitution prohibits direct or indirect unfair discrimination against anyone on the grounds of race, ethnic or social origin, colour, culture, language, and birth.
“This legal framework establishes racism as an affront to human rights and dignity,” the ATM said in a statement released on Monday, (30 December 2024).
“Racism in this country is a persistent issue, with incidents occurring in schools, universities, and communities.
“‘Just last year, we saw a viral video from Pinelands High School where coloured students auctioned off their black classmates in a cage.
“In 2022, a white student at Stellenbosch University urinated on the belongings of a black student, showcasing a blatant disregard for human dignity.”
The ATM also cited an incident in which a Cape Town pub owner instructed his bouncer to deny entry to black people unless accompanied by a white person,
“An appalling reminder of the segregationist mindset that still exists today,” the party lamented.
The ATM said such racism incidents, along with others such as Penny Sparrow’s grotesque comparison of black beachgoers to monkeys in 2016 and the incarceration of two white men for a racially motivated assault on a black man, highlight an ongoing crisis.
“The South African Human Rights Commission consistently receives complaints about racism, with the Western Cape reporting the highest numbers,” the ATM said.
“This trend should alarm every South African.”
The ATM said racism, which has been declared a crime against humanity, poses a direct threat to the healing of our nation and the progress we have made over the past 30 years.
“We are alarmed by the resurgence of white supremacy and the entitlement that fuels such dehumanizing rhetoric,” said the ATM.
“Allowing such hatred to persist is tantamount to reviving the very regime of apartheid that sought to divide and devalue the lives of Black South Africans.
“We call for the criminalization of racism in South Africa.
“It is imperative that we take decisive action to eradicate this scourge from our society.
“Every incident of racism chips away at the foundations of democracy and inclusivity that we have fought so hard to establish.”
The entitlement displayed by individuals who believe they can demean others based on the colour of their skin must be met with accountability and legal repercussions.
The ATM urged all South Africans to stand united against racism in all its forms.
“Enough is enough. We cannot allow the actions of a few to regress our nation back to the dark days of segregation and oppression,” the ATM said.
“Our collective voice must demand that businesses like Food Lover’s Market take a firm stance against racism, ensuring that all patrons are treated with dignity and respect.
“Let this incident serve as a rallying cry for all who believe in equality and unity. We will not be silent, and we will not tolerate racism in any space, be it public or private.
“The time has come to dismantle the legacy of apartheid and build a truly democratic society for all.”
