Today marks the 21st anniversary of the Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

The commemoration comes at a time when racism and white supremacy are on the rise around the world and here in South Africa. The World Conference Against Racism was held in Durban, South Africa in 2001.

Former President Thabo Mbeki, as host, worked hard to save a conference that was in danger of collapsing.

The United States of America and Israel withdrew from the conference after both countries objected to the draft document which equated Zionism with racism.

Twenty years later, the challenges of racism and related intolerance still prevail.

Justice and Corrections Minister Ronald Lamola said there was no reason for anyone to be accused of racism.

“The Stellenbosch incident is one too many in recent months. These kinds of barbaric incidents must be condemned. There is no reason for a 21-year-old student to be accused of racism.

In his weekly letter, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned against acts of racism and referred to the recent incident at Stellenbosch University where a white student urinated on a black student’s clothes.

Ronald Lamola also called on African leaders to help settle the issue of migration on the continent.

Lamola says, “The African continent needs to find a common vision, a common approach to immigration and we need to be able to respond in a way that also helps host countries like South Africa.”

President Ramaphosa says racism must be fought and says white supremacy must not be tolerated.

President Ramaphosa calls on the University of Stellenbosch, the education sector to take action against racism: