Quote of the week
Excluding refugees from the right to work as private security providers simply because they are refugees will inevitably foster a climate of xenophobia which will be harmful to refugees and inconsistent with the overall vision of our Constitution. As a group that is by definition vulnerable, the impact of discrimination of this sort can be damaging in a significant way. In reaching this conclusion it is important to bear in mind that it is not only the social stigma which may result from such discrimination, but also the material impact that it may have on refugees.
Union of Refugee Women and Others v Director, Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority and Others (CCT 39/06) [2006] ZACC 23
Odidi against xenophobia and homophobia
This video aims to shock us into taking responsibility for Hate Crime; specifically anti-lesbian and xenophobic hate crimes. It features my friend Odidi Mfenyana, singing Billy Holiday’s siren protest song Strange Fruit. Although the song originally referred to the grotesque lynching of blacks in the United States, this version aims to prevent us becoming habituated and de-sensitized to the occurrence of violent hate crimes in South Africa. “Strange Fruit” is intended to cause a measure of discomfort and to call us to action.
