A ‘National Action Plan’ to combat racism

JEFF KATZ

A few weeks ago, the Department of Justice released a draft “National Action Plan to combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (2016 – 2021)”. A general invitation has been issued to civil society and the public at large to submit comments and suggestions, which will be considered when taking the drafting process through to the next stage.

The central purpose of the National Action Plan (NAP) is to provide our country with “a comprehensive policy framework to address racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance at both a private and public level”.

The intention is not to replace existing laws and policies, but rather to be “complementary to existing legislation, policies and programmes which address equality, equity and discrimination”.

In practical terms, it seeks to set up new structures and improve existing ones, through which incidents of racism, racial discrimination and intolerance can be monitored, reported and responded to. 

In fulfilling our core function of protecting the Jewish community, we rely on existing legislation as well as State structures such as the SA Human Rights Commission, the Equality Courts as well as the Criminal Courts.

It is therefore vitally important, not only to our community but to all South Africans, that these institutions continue to be effective, and strengthened. As the traumatic events of the past few months have shown, no one grouping in this country can regard themselves as being immune from racially charged abuse. The Board is currently analysing the draft NAP and will be furnishing detailed submissions within the prescribed timeframes for doing so.

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Overcoming racism in our society requires legislation, including having in place effective vehicles through which to enforce it. However, while laws and penalties help to discourage the public expression of racist sentiment, they do little to eradicate the underlying prejudice that gives rise to such incidents.

For this to begin to happen, there has to be a profound shift in the way people – as individuals – think about and treat each other.

Last week, SAJBD National Vice-President Zev Krengel was centrally involved in the launch of an inspiring initiative by the organisation Active Citizens, the aim of which is to encourage people at all times to respect the dignity of their fellow citizens, even (and indeed, especially) when disagreeing with them. It is very much this culture of respect for those who differ that has been severely undermined of late in this country, and which it is incumbent on all of us to fully restore.   

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