Studies show that despite attempts to heal scars left by apartheid, low levels of trust, inequality and social injustices between South Africans remain a reality, the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) said on Wednesday.
“Studies suggest that despite the support of a progressive constitution and various laudable attempts to heal the deep scars left by apartheid, low levels of trust amongst South Africans of all various races continue to be our reality,” said HRC spokesperson Vincent Moaga.
“This, to a large extent, is as a result of deepening levels of inequality and social injustices that continue to prevail.”
Moaga said in a statement that as the country commemorated Reconciliation Day on December 16 the nation should ask itself whether it had managed to create a country that reflected the wishes and aspirations of all people within it.
Social trust was regarded as an important prerequisite for unity, which contributed to social integration and harmony among all people, he said.
The commission, through engagements with various sectors of society, established that although statutory racism was outlawed, “deep levels of racism” still existed.
“Inhumane and racist conduct in farming communities remain a worrying feature, and serve to show that black people are still dependent for their employment and existence on their white counterparts.”
Unfair racial discrimination
The power distribution remained unequal because one group still depended on another for its livelihood, a factor that often provided fertile ground for interracial tensions, he said.
The commission said unfair racial discrimination cases presented before the equality courts also indicated that blacks continued to be victims of racial prejudice and bigotry.
These also served as indicators that racial intolerance, negative racial perceptions and racial slurs continued to find their way into South African society.
“The recent racial remarks by Steve Hofmeyer and other incidents of racial intolerance continue to undermine the reconciliation process started by President Mandela 16 years ago.”
He said the commission believed there was an urgent need to accelerate the speed of socio-economic transformation to enable the country to address the power imbalances that “continue to frustrate efforts of bringing unity and social cohesion.
“As we reflect on the words of President Mandela, ‘the time for the healing of the wounds has come, the moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come, time to build is upon us’, we should also ask if these words ring true or have become hollow, 16 years after our democracy.” — Sapa