The Presidency has strongly rebuked comments by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who claimed South Africa now enforces more racially discriminatory laws than it did under apartheid.
Musk made the remarks in a social media post referencing research by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), arguing that post-apartheid legislation unfairly targets white South Africans and should be abolished.
– Advertisement –
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: High Court Throws Out MK Party Bid To Overturn Senzo Mchunu Suspension
“South Africa now has more anti-white laws than apartheid had anti-black laws,” Musk said.
He further argued that race-based legislation is inherently unjust, regardless of historical context.
“This is deeply wrong: the goal should be no race-based laws!” Musk added.
Presidency Spokesperson Brands Remarks ‘Deeply Offensive’
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, dismissed Musk’s comparison as offensive and racially insensitive, particularly given South Africa’s history of institutionalised racial oppression.
Magwenya said the comments ignored the lived reality of millions of South Africans who continue to endure the legacy of apartheid.
“Only an unhinged, unrepentant racist will not understand how deeply offensive such words are to people who still bear the scars of apartheid,” Magwenya said.
– Advertisement –
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Brumelda Zuma’s Parliamentary Appointment Sparks Concerns Over MKP’s Internal Politics
Government Defends Redress Policies and Historical Context
The Presidency stressed that attempts to equate transformation and redress policies with apartheid-era laws distort historical facts and undermine ongoing efforts to address inequality.
Magwenya emphasised that dismantling the consequences of apartheid remains a daily task for the democratic state.
“People still bear the scars of apartheid and everyday work to dismantle the mess left by colonialism and apartheid that benefited your ilk,” Magwenya added.
For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On Facebook, X, Instagram and Bluesky
– Advertisement –
