Non-racialism in SA remains out of reach without real anti-racism efforts -Tshepo Madlingozi, SAHRC Commissioner

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford is joined by SAHRC Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi ahead of this week's Global Anti Racism Summit in Stellenbosch.

Listen below:

This week, Stellenbosch in the Western Cape will play host to the Global Anti-Racism Summit.

The three-day event aims to bring together various visionary thought-leaders from the worlds of anti-racism and racial healing, organised by the Social Justice Agency.

The conference, which has been in the making for two years, is the first of its kind in the country in quarter of a century.. 

Madlingozi says it is taking place at a time where there is a global resurgence of white supremacy:

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"We are seeing a lot of right wing movements coming up in the US and Europe and also here in Africa. We are seeing a lot of scapegoating of migrants and other vulnerable African people."

- Tshepo Madlingozi, SAHRC Commissioner

He says in light of these issues, there is a need to rethink how we deal with racism:

"Y'know, the liberal approach that focuses on formal equality, meaning that , as long as we have good legislation, a good Constitution, that is enough - there is a need to rethink that."

- Tshepo Madlingozi, SAHRC Commissioner

And what is the difference between anti-racism and non-racialism, wonders host Clarence Ford?

"Non-racialism is an ideal - we want to see a society where we don't judge people by the colour of their skin."

- Tshepo Madlingozi, SAHRC Commissioner

Madlingozi says in a country like South Africa where there exists a long history of colonialism and dispossession, this ideal isn't yet possible.

Instead, what's needed, he says, are anti-racism efforts.

"What you need in the context of South Africa are proactive anti-racism steps - proper schemes of redress, restitution and reparation."

- Tshepo Madlingozi, SAHRC Commissioner

Scroll up to audio player to hear the full conversation from Views and News.