‘Open Chats Podcast’ hosts face backlash for offensive, racist remarks about coloured community

‘HARMFUL CONTENT’

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

A RECENT episode of the Open Chats Podcast has ignited outrage after its hosts made derogatory comments about the coloured community, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.

The comments by hosts Mthokozisi Methula and Sinothando Kama and their two guests - Honeshma Margarido (Nashma) and Busisiwe Radebe — which quickly circulated on social media, have drawn criticism from listeners, community leaders and advocacy groups.

They have accused the podcast of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting racial insensitivity.

This episode has since been deleted and the cast has taken accountability for their actions. DSTV, which broadcasts the show, has pulled it off the air.

In this episode, the hosts speak about alleged allegations that coloured siblings have sexual relations with one another.

The conversation went as follows:

Mtho: “The coloureds apparently chow each other chief.”

Lefa: “Siblings?”

Mtho: “You don't know?”

Gontse: “No, but I’d believe that because coloureds are crazy.”

Lefa: “Crazy in what way?”

Mtho: “They chow each other those ones.”

Gontse: “I’ve dated a coloured so I can say that.”

Nashma: “I've dated a coloured, they crazy mentally not to that point.”

Gontse: “If you're mentally crazy of course you'd sleep with your cousin.”

Human Rights Commission:

The South African Human Rights Commission has also confirmed a probe into the comments made by the hosts and guests of the Open Chats Podcast.

“The commission has noted that the hosts, through their lawyers, sought to apologise for their offensive remarks soon after the discussion went viral on social media and the discussion has since been removed from the episode.