The #BlackMonday protests certainly set out to create a discussion over pressing issues in South Africa. But farm murders are only playing second fiddle to something else that’s reared its head: we’re talking about SA’s ‘apartheid flag.’
Last week’s protests aimed to force South Africa into taking action against rising rates of murdered farmers. However, the demonstrations themselves involved protesters bringing along country’s old flag. It was used during apartheid, and is synonymous with the regime and the values they stood for.
Is using the apartheid flag racist?
This, rather than the violence against farmers, has become the major talking point. It’s uncovered a debate in Mzansi’s society that has laid dormant for a while. Just how racist is displaying the flag? And are there any arguments in its defence?
AfriForum CEO Kalie Kriel believes so. He was engaged in a fierce debate yesterday on SABC, where he locked horns with Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang. Mr Hatang pushed his opposite number to explain his position further.
Kriel thinks that home use of the apartheid flag is acceptable, as it is not detrimental towards the feelings of others:
“We should not have double standards … the EFF displayed the Hezbolla flag during their march. We should not focus on the small group. We should have a broader discussion on inappropriate discussion.”
“You are getting people who are abusing the flag issue to want to discredit. We saying people should not display the flag to the detriment of or hurt people’s feelings.”
How many farmers have been murdered in 2017?
Sello Hatang also pointed out that young, black citizens in townships are also in immediate danger, yet AfriForum have remained ‘suspiciously quiet’ on that front. They were accused of making South Africa’s problems ‘sectoral’ by the NMF representative. Kriel reminded Hatang that 71 farmers have been killed since January.
Is there logic in what Kalie Kriel is saying? Or does the apartheid flag have no place in modern South Africa? We’d like to hear from you. Share your opinion on the matter via our Facebook comments section.
