African People First (APF) Condemns DA’s Endorsement of Dr. Death Event in the Western Cape
African People First (APF) Strongly Condemns Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Endorsement of Dr. Death Event in the Western Cape
January 26, 2024 – The African People First (APF), a prominent advocate for justice, equality, and the well-being of African communities, is issuing a resounding condemnation of the Democratic Alliance (DA) led Western Cape Government’s endorsement of the upcoming Dr. Death event, and posted on the DA official Facebook page, that was scheduled to take place in February 2024.
Dr. Wouter Basson, infamously known as “Dr. Death,” played a controversial role during the apartheid era, engaging in activities that were widely deemed unethical and harmful to many South Africans. The APF is deeply troubled by the DA-led Western Cape Government’s decision to support an event featuring an individual associated with such a dark period in our history, raising serious ethical questions and reflecting poorly on the DA’s commitment to fostering a society built on principles of justice, equality, and inclusivity.
The APF is particularly alarmed by the historical context surrounding this event. The DA has previously been implicated in celebrating the tragic events in Phoenix, KZN, in 2021, where posters circulated by the party appeared to glorify those involved in the violence. This pattern of behavior is deeply troubling and suggests a disturbing trend of insensitivity towards the lives of black Africans. The APF views the endorsement of the Dr. Death event as a second act of the DA celebrating the death of black African life.
Moreover, the fact that the event is organized by Monne Kuier and endorsed by the Western Cape Government, with an entrance fee of R220, raises significant concerns about the prioritization of financial gain over ethical considerations. The APF firmly believes that events of this nature, with controversial figures as keynote speakers, should not be supported by government entities, especially when there is a risk of perpetuating harmful narratives.
Key Concerns:
Ethical Dilemma: The APF questions the ethicality of featuring Dr. Wouter Basson as a keynote speaker, given his controversial past and the ethical implications of his actions during the apartheid era.
DA’s Historical Insensitivity: The DA’s historical insensitivity, as demonstrated in the Phoenix incident, raises concerns about the party’s commitment to acknowledging the pains of the past and fostering an inclusive and non-discriminatory society.
Financial Prioritization Over Ethics: The event’s endorsement, despite its controversial nature, raises concerns about the Western Cape Government’s prioritization of financial gain over ethical considerations.
APF’s Urgent Calls:
The APF urgently calls on the DA-led Western Cape Government to reconsider its endorsement of the Dr. Death event and to reflect on the message it sends to the public. The inclusion of Dr. Wouter Basson as a keynote speaker at a public event raises ethical questions about the values upheld by the DA and its commitment to fostering an inclusive and non-discriminatory society.
The APF further calls on the Western Cape Government to reassess its criteria for endorsing events and to ensure that such endorsements align with principles of justice, equality, and respect for human dignity. Events that may be perceived as celebrating a dark chapter in our history should not receive support from government entities.
Community Engagement:
As an organization committed to justice, equality, and the well-being of African communities, the APF urges the public to express their concerns about this event and to engage in conversations that promote unity, understanding, and healing. It is crucial that we collectively work towards building a society that acknowledges the pains of the past and strives for a future free from discrimination and prejudice.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Muzi Hlengwa – President
African People First (AFP)
Tel: 084 284 8400
