It was reported on The Times newspaper that the SAA CEO referred to some unionist as K’s. This happened when these unionists had requested a meeting with the CEO to discuss labour related issues. The CEO then allegedly apologised and tried to calm the situation.
This incident is one of many that are not reported in South Africa and the truth is that not all white people are referring to black people as K’s but mostly the Afrikaans speaking people. I am not suggesting that they are the only people who use the word but they appear frequently if one follows reported cases.
Is the word really offensive to black people? This is a difficult one to answer because people react differently but whether there is offense or not, one expects that adults understand that the use of this word revives our ugly past we all hate.
One often assumes that South Africans are by now united and refuse to behave in a manner that provokes racialism in this country. The truth of the matter is that this is black people’s resolution which has not received attention from white South Africans. This act undermines our gains and progress made in this country.
I challenge all white people who are truly committed to ending this sickening behaviour to come out clean and condemn it and stop hiding with their thumbs!!!