MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

I don’t think rallying around National Symbols is the whole answer – #RaceFreeMonth

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February has been declared Race Free Month and every day in February we at MyPE will be combating the subtle racist nuances that hamper our thinking, cloud our judgement, restrict our development and increase the tension in South Africa.

“Even though South Africans are generally not racist – there are some among us who are still racist,” Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini told reporters in Parliament on Tuesday this week.

“We encourage all South Africans… to learn to sing and observe the national anthem with respect, fly the national flag with pride and work towards a society free from social, economic [and] class barriers, and racism.”

With the greatest respect Honourable Minister your utterances demand a reply; “Government is tasked with the simplest of things – Create an enabling environment for our citizens to thrive.”

So, lets for a year or two create the greatest experiment ever conducted and, in the Words of Pink Floyd; “Tear down the walls!”

Remove the stumbling blocks that are heeding our progress as a nation:

  • Reduce the number of people benefiting from taxation
  • Reward people for escaping the chains of a government grant
  • Reduce the number of people in government
  • Reduce personal tax
  • Remove the secondary taxes on business
  • Remove VAT on unprocessed foodstuffs
  • Increase VAT on processed foodstuffs and goods
  • Remove the barriers to creating a business with a realistic ceiling based on gross profit
  • Encourage responsible faith based organisations and positive change agencies
  • Move our economy to one that encourages employment and rewards business for creating meaningful jobs
  • Encourage nation building international events that encourage tourism
  • Place a huge emphasis on the positive aspects of our country
  • Ignore the negative
  • Celebrate our achievements at every turn

Let us not send mixed messages to our citizens by ‘hijacking’ March 21, Human Rights Day, which this year will be commemorated as national day against racism.

The Struggle is over – Long Live the Self Congratulation and Self Realisation of Greatness, Long Live.

Sign the Pledge to go Race Free.

Related: February 2016 Race Free Month Articles

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.