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Anti-Racism Week 2020

by zeenat

Mohammed Arai | 11 March 2020

“People don’t look at each other as human beings. They don’t celebrate the diversity that exists between us in our country. When we say we need to unite against racism, we are saying people must mobilise against racism, educate themselves about racism, and act out not only when it affects themselves but others as well,” says Busisiwe Nkosi of the Anti-Racism Network South Africa (ARNSA).

Nkosi spoke to Salaamedia’s host of The Alternative View, Inayet Wadee, about ARNSA’s 5th Anti-Racism Week launched at the historic Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct in Vereeniging. The ARNSA was founded by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to tackle human rights issues, inequality, and racism prevalent in the South African society.

Talking about the 60th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, Nkosi said: “The Sharpeville Massacre holds a special place in South African history. It prompted worldwide rage against South Africa’s apartheid policies. We remember the massacre victims, and what we have achieved as a result of their sacrifices.”

The Sharpeville Massacre was an event which occurred on 21 March 1960 at the police station in the South African township of Sharpeville in Transvaal (today part of Gauteng). After a day of demonstrations against pass laws, a crowd of about 7,000 protesters went to the police station. The South African Police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people and injuring 180 others.

Going beyond racism in South Africa, Wadee brought up the discussion of anti-Chinese sentiments, stereotyping and racial profiling of Chinese in light of the Coronavirus outbreak. In her reply, Nkosi urged the public to educate themselves to prevent racism against the Chinese people.

Nkosi highlighted the benefits of using technology – social media in particular – to bring South Africans together to educate “keyboard warriors who are brave enough to be racist on social media.”

The ARNSA has partnered with Cricket SA, Rugby SA and a few other actors and musicians for this year’s Anti-Racism Week. They will participate in the campaign through social media postings, interviews and visiting schools to engage with students around racism and equality.


For more information or to let ARNSA know what you will be doing during Anti-Racism Week 2020, you can contact them by emailing busisiwe@kathradafoundation.org or calling 011-854-0082.


 

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