Racist remarks on Bhinca Nation podcast spark outrage from Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.
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The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has condemned what it describes as racist, xenophobic and misogynistic remarks made on the Bhinca Nation podcast by host Ngizwe Mchunu and his co-hosts.
The foundation warned that the comments amount to dangerous hate speech that threatens communities and undermines South Africa's constitutional values.
"Hate speech is not opinion. It is harm, and it must have consequences. We are especially alarmed by the use of the term 'mkla', a widely recognised slur targeting Indian South Africans," it warned.
The organisation warned that South Africa has repeatedly seen how racial scapegoating and inflammatory rhetoric can spiral into intimidation and violence, adding that no racial or ethnic group should be blamed for the country’s economic and social struggles.
In the podcast, Mchunu allegedly said: "You see, Chinese have the same mentality as a****la (c***ies). Indians have been there for more than 150 years in this country. But they are abusing our people in different factories and different companies."
In response, Nota Baloyi allegedly said: "Too much. And Indians had a chance to go back to India. They had a chance to go back to India. They were rallied up. This is from 1924 all the way up to 1931."
The statement also pushed back against attempts to excuse alleged offensive content as entertainment or political commentary.
"Freedom of expression does not protect the advocacy of hatred or the incitement of harm."
The foundation expressed concern that individuals linked to the controversial remarks have reportedly previously appeared before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) over similar complaints, saying repeated behaviour of this kind requires tougher intervention.
It is now calling on the commission and other institutions to take stronger action against repeat offenders, including stricter sanctions, referrals to Equality Courts, improved monitoring of offenders and greater engagement with podcast hosts, media practitioners and digital platforms about their legal and ethical responsibilities.
The foundation warned that in a country already battling deep inequality, unemployment and social tension, reckless online content could quickly trigger real-world consequences.
It also called for better-funded social cohesion initiatives to bring together communities, civil society groups and young people to confront prejudice and promote constructive dialogue.
The organisation ended with a firm warning that racism and discrimination cannot be normalised under the guise of entertainment.
"South Africa cannot allow racism, xenophobia, tribalism and misogyny to be repackaged as entertainment."
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