MARY KLUK
As ever, our response has to be one of constant vigilance, combined with taking responsible measures to enhance the security of our community and its installations.
We are fortunate in South Africa to have, in the CSO, a body that devotes itself to protecting our community against physical attacks. Combining dedicated professionals with an equally committed team of volunteers, the CSO is in a continual process of monitoring the socio-political environment to identify potential threats and adapting and fine-tuning the systems it has in place.
Forestalling potential attacks means having to constantly think ahead, considering what could happen and developing contingency plans for all possible scenarios. This, in addition to ensuring that there is on-the-ground protection at installations and communal events, constitutes the day-to-day work of the CSO.
In all of its endeavours, the CSO needs the full support and co-operation of the Jewish community, and I again urge everyone to assist in this regard.
Just as the CSO works to ensure our physical safety, the SAJBD’s mandate is to protect our community against all forms of anti-Semitism, including verbal abuse, unfair discrimination or the propagation of anti-Semitic slurs in the public realm. The work of the two organisations complements one another, and hence the Board and CSO maintain a close working relationship.
Maintaining the safety of the overall environment in which Jews live, also means confronting hateful and inflammatory anti-Semitic rhetoric. In addition to the emotional and psychological hurt that this inflicts, we know too well that, if left unchallenged, hateful words can easily lead to action.
Last week, the Board laid a charge of criminal incitement against former Wits SRC President Mcebo Dlamini for, among other things, referring to Jews as “devils” in a live radio interview. We already have a hate speech complaint against Dlamini before the SA Human Rights Commission and have asked that his latest outburst be added to those charges.
Hate speech, whether based on race, religion or other such grounds, is prohibited in South Africa. The fact that we live in such a society came about through the selfless efforts of those who in years gone past devoted themselves to creating a united, democratic South Africa guaranteeing equality to all its citizens.
Last week, the Board held a special commemorative evening to mark the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, a visionary document that served as a blueprint for the democratic, non-racial society we enjoy today.
It was a very moving and inspiring event, with Leon Levy – one of the key figures involved in the formulation of the Charter – and former President Kgalema Motlanthe sharing their memories and insights regarding this inspiring period in our country’s history.
