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The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation supports charges laid against racist Sodwana Bay guesthouse owner Andre Slade, and calls on authorities to impose the toughest possible sanctions against him. This follows an email in which Slade stated that black people and government officials were not welcome at his guesthouse. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), as well as KwaZulu Natal MEC for Economic Development, Sihle Zikalala, have opened up cases against Slade. Zikalala’s case includes charges of crimen injuria, tax evasion and illegal operation.

“We are urging the SAHRC to impose the toughest possible sanctions on Slade, and we are calling on the state to thoroughly investigate the charges pressed against him. We welcome the fact that this case opens up new avenues of tackling racism, including punitive measure such as revoking operating licenses for racist guest lodges. We also support the view that Slade’s lease agreement to rent tribal trust land be revoked,” Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Balton stated. “Unlike many of the previous racist incidents, wherein perpetrators apologised – even half-heartedly – Slade is clearly unrepentant.

He also has complete disregard for the Constitution of South Africa. His segregationist views and religious fundamentalism form a toxic mixture of racial hatred. What is even more shocking is that Slade, together with his partner, have no qualms about making these views public,” Balton said. He added that a clear message needed to be sent that racism and religious fundamentalism would not be tolerated. "We are calling on all religious leaders to condemn Slade's comments. Church leaders especially must come out strongly against this sort of right wing, reactionary and conservative interpretation of Christianity that seeks to legitimise racism,” Balton said.

“Earlier this year, following the Penny Sparrow incident, we suggested that people who insist on holding onto such crudely racist views should perhaps consider moving to places where their views will be more acceptable. The same applies to Slade. His apartheid, colonial mentality has no place in democratic South Africa,” he added.
Balton commended the many South Africans, as well as political parties, who stood up against Slade’s remarks. “We continue urging South Africans to expose and challenge racism. This is the only way that we are going to start tackling a problem is still deeply rooted amongst certain individuals.”

Slade’s email comes in the wake of a series of overt racist incidents over the past few weeks, including Vicki Momberg’s racist rant in which the k-word was used; Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi being called the k-word on social media; and, the racist comments made by Pastor Andre Olivier. This was coupled by angry claims of racism at a crèche in Centurion, and at a restaurant in Durban, as well as allegations of Islamophobia levelled at a school in Linbro Park. During the same period, a string of xenophobic attacks occurred following the unrest in Tshwane. Balton said that it was unfortunate that these incidents came at a time that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was calling on South Africans to comment on the National Action Plan to combat racism.

“A document of this nature will hopefully lay the basis for a structured approach to fighting racism,” he said. “This document will encourage people to reflect on what needs to be done on a continuous basis to stem the tide of racism, and tackle the root of the problem.” “At the same time, we are calling on all organisations, religious institutes, schools, universities and businesses to join the Anti-Racism Network South Africa (ARNSA) so that we enhance our capacity to eradicate racism on the ground,” he said.

Issued by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation