PICS: Racism drives Mzantsi bananas!
Updated | By Tando Ntunja
First it was a Durban beachgoer, then an estate agent linked to a prominent agency and now a well-quoted economist have got South Africans hot under the collar with racist rants to kick off your 2016. Happy New Year, Mzantsi!
As you can see, South Africa has gone 'bananas'.
This selfie of renowned jazz guitarist Ernie Smith comically posing with a banana is in response to the #PennySparrow and #PennySparrowMustFall hashtags, taking over Twitter right now.
The trouble started when Justin Van Vuuren wrote of black beachgoers at the Durban beachfront as being 'animals' on Facebook, while Jawitz-linked estate agent Penny Sparrow responded with calling black people 'monkeys', also on Facebook. The difference between these two though is that Penny's post was also linked to her Jawitz profile, which also has her phone number:
You can imagine the reaction on social media - here is well-loved Mzantsi personality, choreographer and Idols judge, Somizi Mhlongo:
Never to be left behind, our Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula let loose, thus:
She calls Black people Monkeys - she supports Mmusi, she thinks he is a better educated monkey that speaks well pic.twitter.com/pGflEIHMge
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) January 4, 2016
The DA have meanwhile issued a statement noting that they have filed charges against Sparrow - a KZN Democratic Alliance member - for investigation of Crimen Injuria "...for infringing the dignity of all South Africans and for dehumanising black South Africans."
DA member and prominent black businessman Herman Mashaba laid the charges with SAPS, where a case has been opened.
The KZN arm of the DA has served notice of intention to suspend the membership of Penny Sparrow and that her conduct has been referred to the Federal Legal Commission for investigation.
Let's not forget prominent economist Chris Hart either; here's his work of art:
More than 25 years after Apartheid ended, the victims are increasing along with a sense of entitlement and hatred towards minorities….
— Chris Hart (@chrishartZA) January 3, 2016
Following the furore on Twitter and all over social media, Standard Bank have since responded in the case of Chris Hart:
We do not endorse comments made by @chrishartZA yesterday https://t.co/Hjat3ruPaJ
— Standard Bank SA (@StandardBankZA) January 4, 2016
Comments by @chrishartZA yesterday are factually incorrect and have racist undertones that do not reflect our values https://t.co/Hjat3ruPaJ
— Standard Bank SA (@StandardBankZA) January 4, 2016
And then, a resolution:
We will be instituting appropriate internal disciplinary processes against @chrishartZA. https://t.co/Hjat3ruPaJ
— Standard Bank SA (@StandardBankZA) January 4, 2016
But ooooh, the lack of 'chill' on social media streets though - people still out to speak to #PennySparrow
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