- Condemnation of offensive remarks: Deputy Minister Letsike publicly condemned racist and offensive comments made on the Open Chats Podcast, emphasizing their harm to South Africa’s values of inclusivity and respect.
- Importance of responsible media communication: Letsike highlighted that media and digital platforms should foster understanding and unity, and called for responsible communication that respects the country’s multicultural identity.
- Need for further action beyond apology: While acknowledging the podcast team’s apology, she stressed that words alone are insufficient and urged meaningful actions to rebuild trust and prevent recurrence.
The Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has publicly condemned the recent remarks made on the Open Chats Podcast, which have triggered widespread outrage across South Africa.
In an official statement, Deputy Minister Letsike described the comments as deeply offensive and harmful to the country’s values of inclusivity, respect, and unity. The podcast episode, which went viral on social media, featured racial stereotypes directed at the coloured community, sparking condemnation from various sectors of society.
“Such statements are not only offensive, but they undermine the spirit of unity that our democratic society has worked hard to build,” said Letsike. “Every community in our country deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The Deputy Minister stated the importance of responsible communication on public platforms, noting that media and digital channels should aim to foster understanding and nation-building, not division and harm. She emphasised that South Africa’s multicultural identity was forged through generations of shared struggle, resilience, and cultural richness.
“Black, white, Indian or coloured, each of us carries a unique part of South Africa’s story. We all contribute to the rich tapestry of this nation,” she said.
Deputy Minister Letsike acknowledged the podcast team’s public apology, but stated that words alone are not enough. “While an apology is a step, further action is required to rebuild trust with South Africans,” she added.
She called on the creators of the Open Chats Podcast to reflect deeply on the consequences of their words and to take meaningful steps to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.
Reinforcing the principle of media responsibility, Letsike stated, “All media platforms, including podcasts, must adhere to regulations that promote fair and responsible communication. We value freedom of expression, but it must be balanced with accountability.”
She warned that hate speech should never be mistaken for free speech, adding that it remains one of the most persistent forms of cyberviolence. “Addressing hate speech does not mean restricting free speech, it means preventing it from escalating into discrimination, hostility or violence, which our Constitution prohibits,” she explained.
Deputy Minister Letsike reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all people, especially those from marginalised and historically disadvantaged communities. “Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia have no place in our democracy,” she said.
She concluded by stating the importance of national dialogue and the need for all South Africans to participate in shaping a society that is inclusive, respectful and equitable for all. “The national conversation must reflect the kind of country we want to build together, one rooted in dignity and shared progress.”
