Durban – Indians “whining” about the ANC government should leave and go to India, says Visvin Reddy, the party’s former councillor and Chatsworth branch chairman. He claims that whiners have not yet embraced democracy.
Still a prominent ANC member, Reddy has drawn criticism for his Facebook post, but he remains unapologetic, saying on Wednesday that he stood by his controversial comments and took attacks on the ANC personally.
Writing on his Facebook page over a week ago Reddy said: “To you anti ANC commentators…wait until May 8. The ANC will still rule this country. You whiners should leave. Go to India and you will see what a good life we have here. Continue with your garbage and marginalise yourself further. Don’t blame the ANC blame yourself. You have not yet embraced democracy. Only a foolish Indian in SA will not engage the majority constructively…”
Speaking to the Daily News on Wednesday Reddy said the views he expressed were not those of the ANC and he sought to clarify them. He said it was only meant to discourage any malicious criticism of the government which could lead to relations between black and Indian South Africans getting strained.
“I am not saying criticism of the government is not welcome, but it should be done in a constructive manner otherwise it could be seen as an attack on the majority and that might create tensions,” he said.
“I am saying, let us embrace the majority… Sometimes the criticism you see is malicious and is coming from people who have been fed DA propaganda.”
Reddy admitted there were a “few challenges” with things like the equity regulations and the quota system, but believes these are needed to redress imbalances.
He said his statement on India was based on India having, despite its rich traditions, a huge population and high levels of poverty.
“I have been to India, especially the northern parts, a number of times and some of the friends and family members who have been to India agree that here in South Africa the situation is better,” he said. “But I am not saying India is a bad country.”
He also said his post was in response to criticism of the ANC and the government by some Indians on Facebook.
“Some of this criticism is really malicious. You get people saying the black government cannot govern and blacks cannot be trusted. All I was saying is that if you have to criticise the government, do it in a constructive way. I take attacks on the ANC personally and so do millions of black South Africans.” [….]
South Africa Today – South Africa News
