MEC condemns treatment of Ndebele activist at shopping centre
March 26, 2021
MBOMBELA - Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC, Thandi Shongwe has condemned the inhumane treatment of Ndebele cultural activist, Thando Mahlangu at Boulders Shopping Centre in Johannesburg earlier in the week.
Mahlangu was treated badly and in an inhumane manner for wearing traditional attire at the shopping centre to an extent that he was asked to leave its premises.
“What happened to Thando Mahlangu is totally unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. As a Department, which is responsible for matters of culture and heritage, we were disgusted by the video footage on social media in which Mahlangu’s rights were violated. 27 years into democracy and during Human Rights Month, we expect South Africans to respect and tolerate one another,” says the MEC.
The MEC added the incident has highlighted the need to intensify efforts to promote cultural tolerance in society and to educate the public about the Bill of Rights, which protects various cultures. “I want to emphasize that people have a right to practice their own culture and observe their heritage without fear and victimization. We must all work together to promote and achieve social cohesion and national unity. This process begins when we practice cultural tolerance with one another,” added the MEC.
She concluded, “The Department calls upon the Centre Management to take harsh actions against the manager who violated Mahlangu’s rights as no one has a right to undermine and look down on other people’s culture.”