I am a South African, born in the era after the systemic injustices of the Apartheid period. The South African Constitution, since 1994, envisions a democratic nation, united in its diversity. However, I feel that the freedom of speech afforded to whites in South Africa is constrained and biased.

The racial slur, "Kaffir," used against the black population, was rightly criminalized due to its derogatory nature. Any usage, regardless of context, by a non-black population could result in prosecution for racism. This regulation ensures respect towards the dignity and worth of black South Africans. However, similar derogatory phrases such as "Boer" or "settler," used to describe white South Africans, particularly in political contexts, are not treated with the same regulation.

This petition is a plea to criminalize the terms "Boer" and "settler" when used in a derogatory context, such as the chants "Kill the Boer" and "One Settler One Bullet." Many times, white people are attacked for the atrocities of Apartheid, and statements like "go back to Europe, settler" should also be considered racist in this context.

This disparity is a clear example of double standards in the application of laws protecting the dignity and worth of all racial groups in South Africa. Just as one racial subgroup cannot be objectified and dehumanized, so should the others. No citizen, regardless of their race or cultural background, should be unprotected against offensive language.

Democracies function best when all their citizens feel equally respected and protected. As such, this petition calls on the Government of National Unity (GNU) of 2024 to do what it is mandated by our votes to do and unite all South Africans. We call for the constitutional protection against offensive language to be applied equally, independent of the racial and cultural background of the individuals involved.This petition is a plea not to propagate hate speech but rather to foster a sense of unity, respect, and protection among all South African citizens.

Sign this petition if you believe in equal protections for all against offensive language and in standing against double standards in South Africa.