Cape Town – A petition has been launched urging Parliament to reconsider Democratic Alliance (DA)’s MP Renaldo Gouws’ membership after videos from 2008 and 2009 resurfaced showing him making racially charged comments.
The petition, started on June 16, 2024, has garnered over 30 000 signatures.
Gouws, who has a YouTube channel with 128 000 subscribers, faced criticism for his reactionary videos against the “Kill the Boer” song by EFF leader Julius Malema.
Despite expressing regret for his language, critics argue his comments are harmful and divisive.
Kimberly Jones, the petition’s creator, emphasised the importance of unity and inclusivity in South Africa.
“His public utterances, filled with threats and racially charged comments, are a direct affront to our democratic values and the harmony of our diverse society. South Africa, a nation that has been wracked by the pain of apartheid, has no place or tolerance for such divisive sentiments, particularly from a Parliamentary member who ought to be a promoter of unity.
“The recent videos of Mr. Gouws circulating on social media, where he spews racial remarks against people of colour, are a stark reminder of how quickly we can regress if such behavior is left unchecked. South Africa, with its freshly adopted National Government of Unity, understands the importance of collective action towards common goals more than most.
“To enable successful governance in a diverse democratic society, it is essential that all members of Parliament adhere to principles of respect, understanding and equality. The harmful and divisive discourse propagated by Mr Gouws not only stymies our progress but can potentially inspire others in the wrong direction,” said Jones.
According to IOL, Gouws claims the videos were edited to misrepresent him and maintains his opposition to the song justified his extreme reactions.
Social media users have amplified the petition, calling Gouws a racist and criticising his views.
Take a look atsome of the reactions:
Fellow South Africans, meet your new member of parliament. His name is Renaldo Gouws and he is a DA member. And I hope @MYANC is proud. pic.twitter.com/fBpMSjUGrd
— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) June 17, 2024
Renaldo Gouws seems to be mocking African cultures. This is disgusting and it shows the DA’s true colours.pic.twitter.com/IdJ0Q9I1Rl https://t.co/jU0iYuls2a
— Tyrone Prins (@itsTyronePrins) June 17, 2024
The last 24 hours I have been viciously attacked and abused by racist trolls on social media, for having called out racist #DA Member of Parliament, @RenaldoGouws, and all other white supremacists and racists.
Let me be clear: I will not cower away, I will not stop to… pic.twitter.com/GOPKYxCXrt
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) June 18, 2024
This one video taken 15 years ago doesn’t even do Renaldo Gouws justice.
I’ve seen a lot more recent videos to know he’s a such an angry, vile man. Yes, I’ve signed the petition. https://t.co/dyRoIkaQV0
— Lynette Engelbrecht (@Lynette_SA) June 17, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
