South Africa
ANC protests against "Whites Only" practice in tourism indaba

afrol.com, 27 September - The African National Congress, (ANC, South African ruling party) was shocked to discover that a tourism indaba organised by the Provincial Government yesterday in Cape Town was addressed and attended by almost exclusively white speakers and delegates.

Riyadh Williams, ANC MPL and Spokesperson on Tourism said:

"The DP/NNP coalition have absolutely no commitment to transformation in the tourism sector. They are completely insensitive to the need to make our tourist sector inclusive.

"Black tour operators are justifiably outraged at yet another example of how Western Cape Governance is characterised by an approach which seeks to preserve privilege and keep economic opportunities in the hands of a few. They want a lily white industry. Why did they not appoint a black company to organise the Indaba?

"How can you discuss the future of tourism and challenges facing the industry in the absence of those who constitute the majority of the Western Cape population?

"The lack of African and Coloured businesspeople in the industry is exactly the reason why a special effort is needed.

"When the ANC raises such issues we are labeled racist by people such as Hennie Bester and Helen Zille. The failure of the DP/NNP to confront institutionalised racism in the Western Cape which occurs in the banks, in the property rating system, at the workplace and on the farms simply deepens polarization in our province.

"I will be calling on the speaker, as a matter of urgent public importance, to convene a debate to discuss how this conference was organised. Heads must roll. We cannot have a situation where the majority of the people of our province continue to be treated as second and third class citizens."

Source: ANC

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