Despite ANC-brokered meeting, questions remain over eThekwini mayor’s ‘not an African’ remark

Contradictory accounts from the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba’s office have raised fresh questions about whether the mayor apologised for remarks in which he told humanitarian activist Yeshelen Govender he was “not an African”.

While the ANC described a meeting between Xaba and Govender as an amicable engagement in which both men expressed regret over their public confrontation in Sherwood last week, a statement issued by the mayor’s office stopped short of directly addressing the controversial remarks.

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The differing accounts have fuelled uncertainty over whether Xaba has withdrawn comments widely viewed as offensive and racially insensitive, particularly given that Govender is a South African of Indian descent who was born and raised in Durban.

The controversy stems from an incident on June 16, when Xaba was addressing a group of displaced Malawian migrants in Sherwood.

During the engagement, Govender interjected to ask a question about people who had lost their jobs amid the ongoing migration crisis.

In a video that later went viral on social media, Xaba can be heard responding: “Hey, I’m talking with the Africans. Shut up your mouth. I’m not talking to you,” before adding: “Just get out. You’re not an African.”

According to Xaba’s office, the mayor’s remarks were not specifically directed at Govender, but at “a group” that was allegedly being disruptive during his briefing.

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These disruptions undermined the constructive dialogue that had been initiated and hindered efforts to communicate government’s position effectively.

“The mayor’s firm response was necessitated by the flagrant disregard for both the rule of law and the basic decorum expected in any official civic interaction,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.

However, the ANC in KZN welcomed what it described as an “amicable” resolution to the issue.

The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the amicable engagement between eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and community activist Yeshelen Govender.

“This positive development follows an unfortunate exchange of words between the two on June 16 in Sherwood, which garnered significant media attention.

“This unfortunate incident occurred when the mayor was addressing the sensitive issue of foreign nationals who were originally stationed outside the Che Guevara Home Affairs offices in Durban but had moved to Sherwood for their safety.

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During the discussion, they both expressed regret for their part in the misunderstanding.

“Both the mayor and Govender recognised that they could have approached the situation with greater sensitivity,” ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica said.

on Tuesday, Govender endorsed the ANC statement on him and Xaba smoking the peace pipe after a meeting held over the weekend.

I have seen the effusive statement from the ANC. I confirm that the mayor and I met over the weekend.

“The incident in question is deeply regrettable, having unnecessarily escalated racial tensions within Durban at a time when all our attention should be focused on the rising xenophobia, the humanitarian crisis surrounding our migrant community and constructive strategies to de-escalate the tension permeating through the country. Apologies were tendered, and accepted.
This is all that I have to say on the manner. For more information, approach the ANC with regards to their statement. For myself, I want to emphasise that Ubuntu is NOT suspended.

“Apologies were tendered and accepted,” Govender said.