African National Congress Official Statement on the Current Racial Atmosphere Inside the Country

Area in the African National Congress-ruled Republic of South Africa where white far-right racist leader Eugene Terreblanche was killed. Two African farmworkers have been charged in the case.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICIALS OF THE ANC

The officials of the ANC held their normal weekly meeting held yesterday at the President's residence - Mahlambandlopfu. The officials decided that, in view of the environment currently prevailing in our country, all our structures must restrain themselves.

The structures have been asked not to engage in any public debate on the death of Mr Eugene TerreBlanche and leave whatever matters that need the attention of the ANC in this regard to the headquarters of our movement. The structures were also asked by the officials to be circumspect in singing liberation songs that have words that can be seen and be interpreted to be contributing to racial polarisation of society.

Our appeal to our members is informed by the fact that we have a responsibility of ensuring that they are not used as a scapegoat for other agendas.

The call by the officials regarding our liberation songs does not amount to banning any of the songs, including the song that is hotly debated currently. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC will at its next meeting on 14 - 16 May 2010, debate and decide on an appropriate political approach in dealing with the questions raised around some of our songs. The political approach should, amongst others, also be inclusive of the recognition by all of us that such songs are part of our history and heritage.

It is a considered view of our officials that such a restraint as called upon will help our society see through the disguised attempts by the right wing groups that seek to reverse the transformation progress made since 1994. The ANC has up to this point in not raised the questions around the involvement of a 15-year-old farm labourer in the brutal killing of Mr TerreBlanche.

We have also not questioned the drive by some sections of the media to ignore the fact that conflict around non-payment of wages cannot be elevated a singing of a song. We find it very unfortunate that some sections of the media together with some political commentators have decided to politicize a purely criminal matter with regard to the killing of Mr TerreBlanche.

Equally important is the lack of reporting and equal sensation around the shooting and killing of a black hunter by a farmer who is currently out on bail of R5000. We are also dismayed by the little coverage of the brutal assault of seven farm workers by a farmer in the North West. We question the objectivity and the motive that drive certain elements of our media on these matters.

The ANC officials also used their meeting to congratulate our police for acting with speed in arresting the suspects in all these instances, including the arrest of those allegedly responsible for the killing of Mr TerreBlanche, as well as the farmer responsible for brutally assaulting his workers.