DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, May 24, 2002: A Zulu song by a South African playwright Mbongeni Ngema allegedly inciting racism against the country’s 1.2 million people of Indian origin has caused consternation within members of the Indian community with the Human Rights Commission saying it will probe the matter. The song, released in February this year, was played during a talk show program on the Zulu language radio station, Ukhozi FM, and accuses people of Indian origin of oppressing black African people and taking over most of the business in Durban. It alleges that Indians were dominate everywhere, including the politics of the country. The song says Nelson Mandela, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, President Thabo Mbeki and other leaders have failed and calls for a “brave leader” to “deal with Indians.” Jody Kollapan, National Commissioner of the Human Rights, said that hate speech that sparks racism will not be tolerated, and the matter will be investigated. The playwright, Ngema, denied he was promoting racial incitement against the Indians. “I’m only putting into words what thousands of Africans are talking,” he said. The song has been pulled off the airwaves.
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