EThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba ( left) is accused of stoking racial exclusion with his 'un-African' comments against Indians.
Image: Supplied
The recent “un-African” comments by eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba about South Africans of Indian descent could cost the ANC votes in the upcoming local elections, says political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast.
Breakfast was reacting to the mounting criticism against Xaba following his verbal altercation with Yeshelen Govender.
The mayor was confronted by Govender during his visit to the Sherwood sportsfield where more than 5000 Malawian nationals were waiting to be repatriated.
In the video clip that went viral, Xaba is heard saying : "I am not talking to you, I am talking to the Africans," before instructing law enforcement to physically remove Govender from the public gathering.
The comments sparked a sharp reaction from Indian community leaders who called for an apology and a retraction. Breakfast said the mayor was reckless and criticism against him is justified.
“The mayor is an embodiment of unity as a mayor of the city. He can’t utter polarising statements such as questioning people’s identity living in his city. This could backfire politically for the ANC which is on a downward trajectory since 2016. It will be impossible for the party to campaign in the Indian communities particularly around Durban,” he said.
Displaced Malawian nationals fleeing anti-immigration protests have gathered at the Sherwood Hall Park in Durban.
Image: Zainul Dawood
Writing in his own personal capacity, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party Member of Parliament Visvin Reddy called the mayor's comments divisive rhetoric and racially exclusionary conduct.
Reddy said Govender is a South African of Indian descent and, therefore, it is incorrect to tell him he is not an African. He described the mayor's comment as dangerous, historically illiterate and a direct threat to social cohesion in KwaZulu-Natal.
“What we witnessed from mayor Xaba is a blatant attempt to use identity politics to escape accountability. To tell a citizen that they have no right to speak because they are not 'African' is disgusting. It flouts the very foundation of our non-racial democracy. I am calling on the leadership of the ANC to immediately bring this mayor to order and demand a full, unconditional public apology,” said Reddy.
He further stated that the stark political reality in eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal was that no political party can secure an outright majority without the Indian vote.
“Stoking Indo-African tensions in a province with a sensitive social history by the city's first citizen threw fuel into community divisions,” said Reddy.
He described Govender as a community and humanitarian activist involved in social justice, human rights, and solidarity causes. He is also a son of Maggie Govender, a senior ANC member and former MEC in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.
However, Xaba defended his action in the statement issued by his office, saying that he was quoted out of context.
“The mayor emphasises that eThekwini is a law-abiding and welcoming municipality, but it will not hesitate to act firmly against any individuals, regardless of nationality, who choose to disrupt public order or show contempt for the institutions and laws of the Republic of South Africa. The mayor remains committed to engaging all communities constructively and urges the public to refrain from sharing out-of-context clips that may inflame tensions,” concludes the statement.