"White people in South Africa are not asking for special favours, gifts or preferential treatment. They want equal rights and to be treated equally. If the government could ensure that, South Africa will be on the right track."
This was the message from dr Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, during the budget debate of the presidency Wednesday in parliament.
Groenewald reminded that the Preamble of the South African Constitution clearly stated that the injustices of the past must be recognised.
"But it also states that those who have worked to build and develop our country must be respected and that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity," Groenewald stated.
"Even the ANC’s own Freedom Charter makes mention of the fact that the country belongs to black and white people alike.
"Section 83(c) of the Constitution also puts an extraordinary responsibility on the shoulders of the president by stating that the president must promote the unity of the nation.
"Today, homage was paid to former President Nelson Mandela who would have been a hundred years old one of these days. Part of his legacy is that he seriously advocated for reconciliation in South Africa. But if we look at the South African society today, is sets many alarm bells ringing.
"It is disturbing to hear that someone in a suburb of Pretoria was victimised, denounced as a racist and murderer and received death threats after he shot and killed two robbers in an attempt to protect his family.
"It is also disturbing to hear that political leaders are starting to use a narrative that plays black people and white people off against each other in the runup to next year’s general elections. Similarly, white privilege is contrasted with black poverty.
"The message that this conveys to black people is that their poverty is white people’s doing. It creates racial polarisation and that is the last thing that South Africa needs.
"With the State of the Nation Address, I extended a helping hand to the president. We all need to contribute to building the nation.
"With regard to the issue of land, the president over the weekend at the ANC Conference said that the land will be returned to its rightful owners. But which current landowners are not the rightful owners?
"The president may think that he can keep the illegal occupation of land under control, but today he witnessed first hand the blatant incitement by the EFF and Julius Malema in Parliament. He would do well to remember it," Groenewald said.
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