By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has slammed the Democratic Alliance (DA) for “deep-rooted racism” in its ranks after a video emerged of party MP Ian Cameron in blackface at an AfriForum Youth protest in 2012.
“The video is just a symptom of a party that has failed to uproot itself from the horrors of white supremacy, said EFF in a statement released on Saturday.
“The legacy of blackface is a brutal reminder of the dehumanisation and violence inflicted upon black people. This incident is not isolated but is part of a broader, troubling pattern within the DA,” read the statement.
The party further said that the African National Congress (ANC) is “actively empowering white supremacy” by working alongside the DA in the formation of the government of national unity (GNU).
South Africa is now faced with the likelihood of seeing more white people in senior government positions than ever since apartheid ended. White people make up around 7% of the country’s population of 62 million.
Another DA MP, Renaldo Gouws, was suspended by the party after a video emerged in which he used racist language.
“The fact that the DA is the second largest political party tells us that white supremacy remains rife not just in politics but all sectors of society.”
“Additionally, the party has demonstrated its inability to unequivocally condemn white supremacy.
“Now, they have been emboldened further by the African National Congress itself, which has sought refuge within the DA, actively empowering white supremacy in South Africa, including in their discussions with the FF+ about ‘recognising’ Orania.
“The EFF reasserts that South Africa does not need a party that perpetuates and tolerates white supremacy under the guise of political representation.”
The Red Berets added that the presence of people such as Cameron and Gouws in the DA “exposes the party’s belief in white supremacy”.
“The existence of the DA, therefore, undermines the democratic values that our nation stands for and is a direct threat to the dignity and humanity of black South Africans.
“South Africans who want to eradicate white supremacy must squash the existence of DA in our political space and, by extension, the ANC that has found sanctuary with white supremacist political parties.”
The EFF have refused to join what the ANC calls a government of national unity open to all. They said the fundamental reason is the DA, which they say is committed only to the well-being of white minority.