CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 14: Member of Parliament Makhosi Khoza opens up about her upbringing, family and political career during an interview on August 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Khoza was recently fired as chairperson of Parliament’s public service and administration portfolio committee, after an “irretrievable breakdown of trust” between her […]
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 14: Member of Parliament Makhosi Khoza opens up about her upbringing, family and political career during an interview on August 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Khoza was recently fired as chairperson of Parliament’s public service and administration portfolio committee, after an “irretrievable breakdown of trust” between her […]
There are few politicians more captivating than Makhosi Khoza. So often seen as the acceptable face of the ANC, Dr Khoza was forced to leave the party because of the rampant corruption that has engulfed the government.
Speaking at the #NandosDMGathering (Daily Maverick), The former MP was on hand to share her vision for how we can fix South Africa. One of the first things she targeted was race relations. We have to admit, she made one hell of a point.
Makhosi Khoza on race relations:
“We must move away from Apartheid social constructs. Stop saying white, black etc. Say South Africans of European origin. “South Africans of Indian origin” etc, but prefix it with “South African”. We are all South African.
“We must stretch our imagination back to 1995, and the Rugby World Cup. Or 1996, when we won the African Cup of Nations. It will take something like this to unite us all behind one cause.”
“We should stop calling each other Black or White, We are all south africans of different origins. South african of European descent , Of Indian descent etc.. we are South Africans 1st” – Makhosi Khoza #NandosDMGathering
— Siboniso Radebe (@iamboh26) November 23, 2017
Would a ‘South-African prefix’ break down colour barriers?
Mavuso Msimang was also part of the panel, and he was in wholehearted agreement with Khoza. He said that America was the perfect example. The accepted terms for different races aren’t based on skin colour, but origin; African-American, Italian-American, Hispanic and so forth.
But Makhosi’s suggestion is to prefix the word “South African”, in order to prioritise the true value we all have in common, as citizens of this country. Some terms she suggested were ‘South African-Europeans, and South Africans of Indian origin”.
It’s an interesting angle, but is it one you would back? We’d love to hear from you on our Facebook comments section, however you feel about Makhosi Khoza’s comments. Be sure to share your opinion with us.
