I do not want to make this a discussion thread on whether the parties concerned were racist or not, as I believe we wont get anywhere with that one. On that issue, Ill simply say that we need a massive meeting as a country, to begin to address this issue and many more in our society. In what I call an Economic Codessa.

The reason for my thread though is to ask.... Do you think we can ever live in harmony as South Africans? Proud of our individual cultures of course, but also respecting each other and not allowing prejudices and stereotypes to rule as they do today.

Basically, would we be able to be South Africans first, followed by our individual groups? And how do we get there?

Until we don't live as one nation one country, we will forever look in the rear view mirror and drag the baggage of the past with us. Sure there were prejudices in past but lets pick up the pieces and move forward. Politicians and the media will always add fuel to the fire for their own interests. We as citizens can bring about change for a better future for all. Ala the 'world cup' vibe was fantastic but it just died a quite death.

As long as your president and his cronies keeps on swifting the blame for everythinh that went wrong in the last 20years to every white person in South Africa then the answer is NO. And is such a pity that twitter and facebook would never be enough for the person that started this "discussion" he now once again has to bribg the "racial" thing to this forum.

A fire can not be extinguished by adding fuel

Intresting contreversial topic. Racist incidents will neva stop totally in sa or the world but they can be minimised. Question and hoping we can get some inputs and solutions on what u do to prevent it as much as possible. I had an intresting function today I saw sumething very positive. It was one of sa's less known heroes indrees naidoo a male of indian origin who passed on and what he did for sa. At this function I saw so many indians,whites,blacks,coloureds mixing and catching up on all times. So this gives me hope that we will mix and socialize and just be at peace together with one another.

13000 murders a year , a currency falling down the long drop along with the economy, 32 percent of the population with no hope of ever having a job and the country's top worry is what some idiot says on the lowest form of media, really the guy who wrote sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me must be rolling around in his grave... Get your priorities straight people..

Glad to see this topic is being discussed in a calm and mature manner.

I'd like to believe the majority of the population wants a solution to the race issue and would work towards it were it not for the outliers being reported on as if they represent the majority of the population.

As much as I appreciate the media for reporting on issues we deserve to know about, they can feed some pretty damaging perceptions.

On 2016-01-10 13:47:13 Lexington Steele said:
Do you think we can ever live in harmony as South Africans? Proud of our individual cultures of course, but also respecting each other and not allowing prejudices and stereotypes to rule as they do today.

Sorry but the Answer is simply NO.
NEVER EVER !
I am a realist
- and a Cynic.
There is just too much bad attitude towards each other and stereotyping on a massive scale which I personally experience every day.

I wish there was reason for me to be positive....

We just need to accept that we really are a rainbow nation - many different colours, thankfully not an amorphous grey and many different cultures. If we can accept that other people are different from ourselves, that this is OK and give each other space, life will be a lot more pleasant.
Also, do not be so thin skinned as everyone seems to be at present. Every time anyone says something that we do not like, people go ballistic. Relax, tell the other guy to shove off and carry on with your life. Really had enough of all the drama queens.

“Do you think we can ever live in harmony as South Africans? Proud of our individual cultures of course, but also respecting each other and not allowing prejudices and stereotypes to rule as they do today.”

I think many do on a day to day basis. More than get reported on.

The trick is to encourage the practice and not to allow those with preconceived biases to spout their nonsense without either;

An attempt to discuss the alternative point of view.

OR

Being told that one has no time for such idiocy.

Race exists and it is a wonderful thing. The fact is that we are not all the same and that is a wonderful thing. We should embrace it and cherish it.

The sad fact is that South Africa carries a lot of baggage. Other countries still have problems but South Africa is by and large behind the crowd on race relations despite having the world’s most progressive constitution. Harmony will happen but it will take time.