MP upset by Ramaphosa’s ‘white South Africans’ remarks: Here’s the context

Cyril Ramaphosa may have enjoyed something of a honeymoon period at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, but the president now seems to be on the receiving end of even more stick this week. During a Zoom conference, the head of state passed comments about racism within white South Africans.

Ramaphosa’s comments on “white South Africans”

Responding to the Black Lives Matter movement – in the wake of George Floyd’s murder – the president explained that there’s a natural order which allows white citizens to perpetuate prejudice:

“There’s a natural order of things that encourages white South Africans to [have] racist outbursts. Some think they have the license to call black people monkeys and caricature us. This behaviour enables black academics to be overlooked at our universities and forces the eviction of labor tenants from their land.”

“It also encourages violence in our homes. All of these factors make the killing of a black man by a white police officer on an American street possible. It is this ‘order’ that needs to be challenged and broken.”

Cyril Ramaphosa

What sparked the arguments?

However, his words proved problematic to some. A number of social media users questioned how the racism of some white South Africans could be linked to the shocking scenes of police brutality from the USA. It even sparked a row between two legal professionals, who argued the merits of what Ramaphosa had said:

I refuse to support a President that makes sweeping statements and generalises against white people. This kind of wild statement marginalizes races. Very disappointed.

— Adv. Martin Williams (@Adv_MJWIlliams) June 8, 2020

I certainly was not excusing his utterances. What I was tring to point out is that he was dismally trying to be part of the international reaction to a foreign issue. I do not think he was being racist. Racism must have an element of superiority attached to it. I didn't see it.

— Neil Parker Attorney (@neilparker6909) June 9, 2020

Cyril Ramaphosa vs the DA

However, it would be Cameron Mackenzie – a serving DA MP – who reserved the strongest criticism for Cyril Ramaphosa. He accused the ANC leader of exhibiting racism, arguing that his dignity had been ‘trampled’.

“I watched this with growing disbelief. Cyril Ramaphosa’s ability to connect the dots is bizarre. The unchecked racism that spews forth leaves me gobsmacked. And this is the President of my country, of which I’m a citizen who he speaks for & represents? Instead, there’s this.”

“I’m speaking from my heart. I’ve the same right as anyone to be protected from racism. If you direct accusations against ‘white South Africans’ you aim at me whether I like it or not. You trample my right to dignity, discriminate against me. Worse – you put me in a box. It’s so wrong.”

Cameron Mackenzie

There is more to what’s being shared online

So, is Cyril leading a crusade against white South African citizens? Of course he isn’t. The widely-circulated clip is part of a 25-minute discussion, which looks at the broader problem of institutional racism.

The president isn’t directly linking George Floyd’s death to racial slurs said in South Africa. He goes on to talk about how the ‘pervasive culture of racist beliefs’, systemic prejudice and the very casual attitudes some people have towards discrimination all culminate to encourage Officer Derek Chauvin to act how he did.

• You can view the full clip here:

The full video of @CyrilRamaphosa's Speech. We all have a choice, get triggered by the clips being circulated to fuel White Outrage or invest 25 minutes of your time listening to what is being said. https://t.co/4EZtljJdJy

— Bianca van Wyk🇿🇦 (@BiancavanWyk16) June 8, 2020