AfriForum will issue a report in which the increase of racism and hatred towards South African minorities, and white people and Afrikaners in particular, will be highlighted. The public is invited to give input and bring complaints to AfriForum’s attention. A new email address, rasklag@afriforum.co.za, was created for this purpose. The report will be released at a conference in the first half of 2016 and will also be distributed to international research institutions and opinion leaders.

The report will refer, among others, to a series of incidents over the past two years in which double standards in the racial debate prevailed – especially with reference to young people who grew up in the new South Africa.

Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, explained that the racial debate in South Africa has been distorted to such an extent that it is no longer based on rational arguments. “In some cases the debate becomes completely absurd. The result is that minorities come to the conclusion that they cannot take the debate seriously. This is also detrimental to the debate, as it is now crucial to have an open dialogue in which all role-payers’ opinions are taken seriously.”

The recent case where two female students of the University of Stellenbosch painted themselves purple and sprinkled themselves with glitter to look like aliens – apparently for a student party – is for example only one of numerous cases that will feature in the report. These students are now facing a disciplinary investigation because the paint had been “too dark” and appeared to be black on certain photos, which was supposedly racist.

Other examples that will be addressed include the singing of hate songs to incite people, the incitement of murder on social media, racist remarks by government leaders and allegations that it is impossible for black people to be racist.

Issued by AfriForum