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Dirco Calls Out Solidarity for Spreading White Genocide Myth
South Africans are no strangers to heated debates around race and equality. This week, a fresh clash unfolded when the Department of International Relations and Cooperation called on Solidarity’s head of public liaison, Jaco Kleynhans, to challenge what it referred to as a fake white genocide narrative. The term has resurfaced globally due to comments made by US President Donald Trump, bringing unwanted international spotlight onto South Africa once again.
A war of words over race and law
Kleynhans argued that the country is not dealing with racist laws but rather race laws. In his view, legislation still classifies people by race and leaves minority groups feeling sidelined. He claimed that there are 145 such laws in place, which he believes contribute to skills flight, division, and anger across communities.
His comments struck a nerve in government circles. Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri responded sharply, expressing disbelief at the ever-growing figures being suggested. He urged Kleynhans to stop reinforcing the suggestion that the country is living through a white genocide. According to Phiri, such claims fuel a dangerous myth and ignore the legal foundation on which post-apartheid South Africa is built.
Constitutional Court’s stance on equality
Phiri drew attention to a landmark Constitutional Court judgment from 1999, which acknowledged that inequality does not disappear instantly when discriminatory laws fall away. Justice Laurie Ackermann wrote that equality delayed is equality denied, a reminder that redress takes time and must continue to be prioritised.
The government believes this principle underpins current policies and rejects accusations that South Africa is actively legislating discrimination against white citizens.
Who is influencing global perception
Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela has criticised organisations like Solidarity for planting the idea of white persecution in the minds of influential voices overseas. He suggested that the timing of their engagements abroad aligns too closely with Trump’s renewed claims. Even if the word ‘genocide’ was not used directly, Ntombela believes the insinuation carried the same impact.
His point reflects a growing concern that misinterpretations and exaggerations find easy traction in global politics. Once high-profile figures endorse them, it becomes far harder to correct the narrative.
South Africa’s real image at stake
For a country still healing from its past, discussions about race are sensitive and often emotional. The government maintains that equality laws are designed to correct deep-rooted injustices and create fair access to opportunity for all citizens, regardless of background. Suggesting otherwise, especially on the world stage, risks painting the nation as a place in conflict rather than a place still working toward unity.
The white genocide narrative sits uneasily with many South Africans who feel it distracts from real issues that affect everyone, such as unemployment, crime, and economic inequality. The call now is for responsible speech and for local organisations to be cautious about the stories they export.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Freepik
