Madam Deputy Speaker, the DA notes with shock and dismay the statement by an ANC councillor of the Mangaung Local Municipality, who said that God does not listen to you if you pray in Afrikaans. Even though the councillor had to later, after serious objection by the DA, withdraw the statement, it is still worrying and unacceptable that statements such as this could even be uttered by a public representative.
Clearly public representatives in all spheres of government should be aware of the fact that cultural, religious and linguistic rights of all communities in South Africa are promoted and protected by the Constitution and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. One of the stated objectives of this commission is to promote and develop peace, friendship, humanity, tolerance and national unity among and within cultural, religious and linguistic communities on the basis of equality, nondiscrimination and free association.
Furthermore, what adds insult to injury is that this statement was made at the beginning of Heritage Month, where we focus on the celebration of and respect for the diversity of our cultural heritage. How can we be seen to be serious about nation-building and social cohesion when such utter disrespect is shown by public representatives?
We appreciate the fact that there were ANC councillors who apologised and expressed their commitment to nonracialism, freedom of religion and the protection of all languages, however, this kind of irresponsible utterance should be condemned in the strongest possible way, and by all levels and structures. [Applause.]