Government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi must break his silence after his remarks that there is an oversupply of coloureds in the Western Cape, the National Press Club said on Saturday.
“A good communicator is someone who does not keep quiet or who avoids questions,” said chairperson Yusuf Abramjee.
“The right thing for Manyi to do is to face the media and say what he wants to say. This matter continues to dominate the news and his silence is not a good reflection on himself nor on government.”
‘Worst-order racist’
Manyi, then the director general of the Department of Labour, said in a show broadcast on KykNet’s Robinson Regstreeks in March 2010 that there was an “over supply” of coloureds in the Western Cape.
The comments caused a public outcry culminating in the publishing of an open letter to him from planning minister Trevor Manuel, who called Manyi a “worst-order racist”.
Manyi has consistently refused to comment on Manuel’s letter.
Abramjee said he invited Manyi to address the media on Saturday but Manyi declined stating he had previous engagements.
The club asked if he was available on Sunday or Monday but received no response.
The club’s invitation is still open “but he is free to use any platform as long as faces the media and speaks up”. – Sapa