‘Most race-regulated country in the world’ billboard removed in Johannesburg
Solidarity is mulling legal action after one of its controversial “Welcome to the most race-regulated country in the world” billboards was removed within hours of being erected along the M1 highway in Gauteng.
Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department argues that they were well within their rights, with Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) simply enforcing municipal by-laws.
Trade union Solidarity recently erected large billboards and banners in Johannesburg, Gauteng, with the message “Welcome to the most race-regulated country in the world.”
Erected on the M1 highway, an airport route, the campaign was timed to coincide with the G20 world leaders summit hosted in South Africa.
The provocative campaign has ignited fierce debate ahead of South Africa’s historic hosting of the G20, with the Presidency dismissing it as the work of a “tiny right-wing minority” intent on embarrassing the country.
Solidarity insists the posters highlight more than 140 race-based laws that discriminate against minorities and drive economic decline, while government officials deny that such laws exist.
The union said it was aiming to highlight excessive race-based legislation and policies under the current government.
The billboards quickly sparked controversy. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi posted that “racists are loud and clear!”
“They hate transformation and are busy vulgarising our efforts to build an all inclusive country that recognises the injustices of apartheid.”
“We must defeat them. To do that we must bury our petty differences and unite the like minds and push them back!” he added.
MMC of Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, also replied to the poster, saying that “We will remove them. JMPD, get ready, we have no time for racists.”
His department oversees JMPD and ultimately, bylaws. Hours later, Lesufi posted a video of the billboard being removed with the caption, “Gone!”
This garnered mixed reactions. Critics argue that this sets a dangerous precedent for free speech, while proponents argue that the poster was ‘racially insensitive.’
Solidarity chairperson Dirk Hermann said that the billboard “was unlawfully vandalised and removed by the ANC-led Johannesburg City Council.”
The union argues that the action to remove the banner was unlawful vandalism, censorship, and an attempt to suppress free speech.
Additionally, they claimed it is an attempt to hide government policies on racial quotas, affirmative action, and broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE).
“We will not give the ANC their way. The world must know that South Africa is the most race-regulated country in the world.”
Some critics, like Redi Tlhabi, supported the removal, calling it “misinformation and propaganda.”
Jaco Kleynhans, Public Liaison at Solidarity, replied to Tlhabi that the “banner was on a paid advertising space. All approved. The message was factually correct and in no way propaganda.”
Tshwaku replied on social media saying “we will never approve such racist nonsense.”
MMC Tshwaku’s spokesperson, Alex Mandlazi, told Newsday that JMPD has every right to implement bylaws, citing chapter six of the Advertising By-law, 2021
According to the bylaw, the City may order the removal of advertising signs that are non-compliant, unsafe, detrimental, or located on municipal property needed for public use, following due notice procedures.
Solidarity argues that none of the bylaws were violated.
Although there has been no confirmation from Lesufi, it has been reported that the Gauteng Premier had a hand in fast-tracking the removal.
Solidarity has promised to continue with its race regulation campaign, promising more posters.
Another one had already gone up following the removal of the first, to which Tshwaku said “it will be gone. JMPD enforces bylaws with other departments, in this case, planning.”
Solidarity are reportedly mulling legal action over the removal.
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