Hon Speaker, the ill-founded remarks about the so- called impact of Calvinist upbringing on the psyche of Afrikaner men by the hon Minister Xingwana demonstrate a lack of understanding of the cultural and religious complexity of South Africans. Stereotyping a particular culture or religion is unbecoming and undermines the notion of nation- building in a constitutional democracy where the respect and dignity of all human beings are guaranteed. She should have known that the home of Calvinism is Germany and Holland, where gender equality is a way of life.
When that comes from a member of Cabinet or any member of this House, it flies in the face of all attempts to build a cohesive nation with a common national identity. It is all well and good for her to say she is sorry if she offended anybody, but someone in her position should have known in advance that it would demonstrate religious and cultural intolerance and would be a divisive insult to many South Africans. Cope strongly rejects the statement by the Minister. I thank you.