Solidariteit, AfriForum to make presentations to the UN over racial discrimination in South Africa

Civil rights organizations AfriForum and Solidariteit are set to participate in two UN events on November 27 and December 1 to draw attention to discrimination in South Africa. They aim to address race-based legislation, hate speech, and incidents like the continuous chanting of “Kill the Boer,” targeting minorities.

Afriforum is particularly concerned about the racial criteria for agricultural exports to Europe recently introduced by the South African government. AfriForum will submit reports to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and make presentations to the Forum on Minority Issues. Their presentations will cover:

1. Race Laws in South Africa: AfriForum’s 2023 report reveals that since 1910, around 313 race laws have been introduced, with nearly 37% created since the ANC came to power in 1994.
2. Continuous Chanting of “Kill the Boer”: The organization will highlight the singing of the chant by EFF leader Julius Malema and members, linking it to an increase in farm attacks. Incidents, like Malema singing the chant followed by a farm attack, will be emphasized.
3. Recent Incidents of Racial Discrimination: AfriForum will document cases such as Dis-Chem’s moratorium on the appointment and promotion of white individuals and the government’s announcement of racial criteria for farmers exporting to Europe.

AfriForum’s Head of Public Relations, Ernst van Zyl, stated that the organization is ready to address discriminatory practices in South Africa and build on its international reputation as a reliable source on civil rights matters.

Solidariteit will appear before the UN’s CERD on December 5 to lodge a complaint against the South African government. The complaint aims to challenge race-based policies in the country. Dr. Dirk Hermann, Managing Director of Solidarity, argues that affirmative action measures must be temporary and socio-economically based, as per the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

Solidariteit contends that the government’s application of race-based policies contradicts the ICERD and seeks a declaration of their invalidity. The organization also calls for a specific end date to race-based policies.

Hermann believes that Solidariteit’s case has gained strength, citing the US Supreme Court’s ruling against the use of race in college admissions policies as a supportive precedent. He emphasizes the shifting international sentiment away from narrow applications of race-based policies.

Solidariteit’s position is further strengthened by a settlement with the government in which certain limits on race-based labor legislation were established. Hermann sees this as a pivotal development, indicating a shift in power dynamics and the government’s respect for Solidariteit.

While acknowledging that international processes take time, Hermann sees the potential to use increased international pressure from the UN to undermine the government’s racial foundations locally.

The UN committee’s findings on Solidariteit’s complaint are expected in the coming month.

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