The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has condemned a shocking racist incident that took place at Food Lover’s Market in Fourways, Johannesburg, where a couple infamously referred to black patrons as “baboons.”
This disturbing occurrence, which reportedly transpired on Sunday, has sparked outrage across social media platforms.
In a statement released on Monday, ATM leader Vuyo Zungula described the incident as representative of a broader, deep-rooted culture of racism that threatens the fabric of South African society.
Zungula stressed that such dehumanising acts are not isolated cases of individual prejudice but rather manifestations of an endemic issue that continues to undermine democracy and societal unity within a nation with a painful racial history.
“Racism in this country is a persistent issue, with incidents occurring in schools, universities, and communities,” Zungula said.
He referenced previous atrocities, including the viral 2022 video from Pinelands High School in which coloured learners auctioned off their black classmates in a cage, and the disgraceful act by a Stellenbosch University student who urinated on a black student’s belongings.
Zungula further reminded the public of a Cape Town pub owner who explicitly instructed staff to deny entry to black patrons unless accompanied by a white individual, illustrating the segregationist mindset that still lurks within our society.
This latest incident of blatant racism follows an earlier occurrence within the Food Lover’s Market brand. Recently, a black employee at the Lenasia store was racially accosted by a senior colleague for not wearing a store cap while performing his duties, an act which was swiftly condemned by the retailer. In this case, the company confirmed replacing the employee amidst ongoing internal investigations.
Recalling the heinous remarks made by Penny Sparrow in 2016, when she compared black beachgoers to monkeys, Zungula expressed alarm over the frequency of such incidents.
“The incarceration of two white men for racially motivated assaults on a black man highlights an ongoing crisis,” he stated.
The South African Human Rights Commission has consistently noted a troubling rise in racism complaints, with the Western Cape reporting the highest numbers, an ominous trend that Zungula believes should evoke grave concern in all South Africans.
“Racism, which has been declared a crime against humanity, poses a direct threat to the healing of our nation and the progress we have made over the past 30 years,” he argued.
As a response to this resurgence of racial animus, the ATM has called for the criminalisation of racism in South Africa.
Zungula insists the government must take decisive action to eradicate this scourge from society, arguing that every incident of racial hostility chips away at the foundations of democracy and inclusivity that the nation has fought hard to establish.
“The ATM urges all South Africans to stand united against racism in all its forms. Enough is enough! We cannot allow the actions of a few to regress our nation back to the dark days of segregation and oppression.”
He implored businesses like Food Lover’s Market to take a firm stance against racism, ensuring that every patron is treated with dignity and respect.
The Star