Hon members, during the same debate on 12 June, hon McGluwa rose on a point of order and asked if it was parliamentary for hon K B Manamela to use the word "darkies" [blacks]. In this ruling I will be talking about the "whities" [whites] and the "darkies" and the "darkies" and the "whities". [Laughter.]
I undertook to study the Hansard and return to the House with a considered ruling. Having now had an opportunity to study an unrevised transcript and previous rulings on this matter, I want to rule as follows.
The relevant extract from hon Manamela's speech is as follows, and I quote:
Stop saying, "I job i job [A job is a job]", particularly those in the benches on that side, who know of this problem. Stop being the acceptable "darkie" in the DA. You actually know where you belong. It is not enough to say, "I job i job" [A job is a job.]
[Laughter.]
On a previous occasion a point of order was raised when a member used the word "darkies" to demonstrate how some refer to black people in general. At that time, the member in question was not asked to withdraw the term, but members were cautioned to refrain from using words such as this one when referring to each other in the House.
I want to repeat the appeal that was made then - and I refer to it again today - that, in the same way that the House does not want members to accuse each other of being racist because we are trying to move towards a future where, in fact, we do away with these kinds of words, all members should not resort to using racial epithets when referring to each other.
I hope that deals with the question of "darkies" and "whities" in the House. I, again, want to urge members to use words carefully and observe the decorum and dignity of the House. Thank you. [Applause.]