ActionSA has submitted a formal complaint against Minister Gayton McKenzie to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The allegations centre on a series of remarks made by McKenzie that reportedly invoked slurs from the Apartheid era, words that ActionSA deems not only outdated but actively dehumanising towards black South Africans.
Though the effectiveness of the SAHRC is met with scepticism among some, including members of ActionSA, the organisation has vowed to adhere to constitutional procedures in addressing the minister’s offensive language. “We are fully prepared to independently institute proceedings at the Equality Court,” stated a representative of ActionSA, highlighting the seriousness of their stance against discrimination as enshrined in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
Earlier this week, ActionSA made headlines by denouncing inflammatory remarks targeting the Coloured community. Today’s actions reinforce their commitment to confronting all forms of racism by holding a sitting Cabinet Minister accountable. The party asserts: “There is no reasonable defence for comments that are, without question, racist and demeaning.”
In a growing backlash, the actions of McKenzie have sparked fervent conversations across social media, where critics have unearthed posts allegedly made by him from 2013 that suggest a pattern of insensitive remarks. In response to the mounting scrutiny, McKenzie recently stated online, “This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious because you have now gone 13 years back and can’t bring out one racist thing I ever said.” He further professed his belief that Coloured and black South Africans are “one people being treated differently” and directed anger at those he felt were undermining collective outrage against racism.
In the same week, McKenzie has also disclosed intentions to sue podcasters who made derogatory comments about the Coloured community, an action perceived by many as an attempt to deflect attention from his own controversial commentary.
ActionSA has not limited its charges to McKenzie alone; a complaint has also been lodged against Minister Dean Macpherson for his racially charged insults towards ActionSA supporters, which included terms such as “amaphara” and “hobos.” Such derogatory references are emblematic of the larger, ongoing struggle against racism, which ActionSA identifies as a fundamental issue that must be confronted at all levels of government.
“Non-racialism is a founding and defining value of ActionSA,” the party articulated in its statement, emphasising the importance of safeguarding the dignity of every South African. This battle against racism, they assert, is paramount—especially so amongst those in positions of power, for whom they believe there exists a gravitas to uphold the principles of the constitution for which many sacrificed their lives.