Racism keeps on rearing its ugly head in South Africa, disappointing proof that our past is not yet overcome. This week, the Anti-Racism Network South Africa (ARNSA) calls on all sectors of society to find ways to combat racism where they live, work and play.
ARNSA’s second annual Anti-Racism Week kicks off on 14 March, and ends on 21 March, which is South Africa’s Human Rights Day and the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The theme this year is “Becoming” an anti-racism champion, and each day of the week has been dedicated to another form of becoming:
- Tuesday: Be frank
- Wednesday: Be challenged
- Thursday: Be brave
- Friday: Be conscious
- Saturday: Be just
- Sunday: Becoming
ARNSA was established by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation in 2015. They were joined by about 60 non-governmental organisations.
Earlier this year, ARNSA called on businesses, schools, government departments, sports teams, civil society organisations, universities, the media, trade unions, faith-based institutions and others to plan ahead for Anti-Racism Week.
“We want South Africans to think creatively around campaigns and programmes to tackle racism in their various sectors, and to allocate the necessary resources for it,” said convenor Sean Moodley.
“In the past year, we have seen far too many overt racist incidents,” Moodley said. “This issue cannot be sitting on the back burner. It is time for us to be frank, and tackle the problem head on. Anti-Racism Week gives us the platform to ensure that race remains on the national agenda, and that campaigns find their ways into communities at a grassroots level. We are once again urging South Africans to #TakeOnRacism.”