The civil rights organisation AfriForum today argued in a formal submission to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that Government’s proposed National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (NAP) showed serious inadequacies and would not result in an improvement in racial relations. The public has until today to make submissions regarding this Government paper.

AfriForum argues in its submission that the NAP is inadequate in that it lacks any self-criticism regarding the Government. “We get the impression that Government first attempts to praise itself before really focusing on what can be done to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance,” says Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum. “Important information is ignored fairly selectively in the Government’s plans, and Government does not accept responsibility for its own part of the problem.”

AfriForum’s submission refers among other to the fact that 80% of South African schools are dysfunctional and that deficiencies in the educational system – especially in schools in predominantly black areas – add to the fact that black South Africans have limited opportunities, which leads to racial tension.

AfriForum emphasised its commitment to make a constructive contribution in the fight against racism. AfriForum earlier also stated that the ANC’s suggestion to criminalise racism by way of new legislation would not contribute meaningfully to the fight against racism, as sufficient legislation was already in place. “The problem relates more to political leadership than a lack of legislation.” Roets concludes.

See submission attached.

Issued by AfriForum