Issued by the African National Congress
12 April 2000
The ANC has noted with dismay, media responses on its submission to the Human Rights Commission regarding racism in the media.
We have considered carefully all responses and noted a glaring failure in addressing the substance of our submission, which was about the ideology of racism and its manifestations in the media both subjectively and objectively.
However, the ANC confirms again, that we stand by our submission made to the HRC on the 5th April 2000, in its spirit and intent. Thus, no retraction on any part of our statement will be forthcoming at all.
The ANC wishes to clarify even the expectedly obvious, that the submission made at the HRC hearings by the ANC's delegation of Jeff Radebe, Smuts Ngonyama and Mavivi Mayakayaka - Manzini was made on behalf of the ANC.
This submission therefore cannot be attributed to any individual, it is not Radebe's; it is the ANC's.
Nevertheless, all of us through the HRC must refocus our energies on addressing the racism scourge in our midst.We must now sustain the process and not allow emotions and personal positions to divert us from the real issue.
For more information, contact Nomfanelo Kota-Mayosi at 082 570 5072 or 330 7052
Issued by Smuts Ngonyama: Head of the Presidency& Communications
African National Congress
51 Plein Street
Johannesburg, 2000