It’s hard work being a ‘c*****’

SHOCKING EPISODE

- RAVI GOVENDER

PLEASE do not be shocked at my use of the pejorative in the column headline. I am not doing a Gayton here and neither am I trying to be equally controversial as the currently beleaguered minister is known to be. Heaven forbid! He is an extremely hard act to follow and neither do I have the will nor inclination to do so.

Actually, a few incidents have precipitated this week’s column, not the least being the fracas that the leader of the Patriotic Alliance has initiated. His rant followed the shocking broadcast episode of the young team known as the Open Chats Podcast in which they disrespected the coloured community of our country.

Granted, the embattled minister of sport was hauled over the coals for old social media posts that came back to haunt him. However, he followed that up with a fresh outburst that exacerbated the reputational damage he suffered. He hovers between being a coloured or a black, and gravitates to the one that best serves the narrative at that particular point in time.

My friend and community activist, Roshan Lil Roshan, wrote an impassioned letter in this publication last week on the same topic. He ended the missive with the stirring words: “Let this be a warning to the bigots: your time is up. South Africa is watching. And we will not let hate win.”

Amid the controversy, I remain an Indian. Call me a c***** if you want to. It bothers me not. Let me explain my stance on that. Every now and again, usually a singer or local entertainer pokes the bear and uses the word in a song meant to be humorous. About two decades ago, I did some research as to the etymology of the word, “c*****”, and the reasons why it would be considered offensive. Much of my knowledge was gained thanks to a paper written by the late historian and journalist, Ranji Nowbath.