ANC treasure general Mathews Phosa implored Afrikaners on Thursday not to leave South Africa."Bly asseblief in Suid Afrika," (Please stay in SA) Phosa told a meeting between the ruling party and the representatives of the Afrikaans community at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.
"Suid Afrika het jou nodig," (SA needs you) he said, speaking in Afrikaans at the request of ANC president Jacob Zuma.
He also called on those present to "give those who left good reason to come back".
Various Afrikaner interest groups made representations to the ANC during the meeting between the two groups.
Earlier, Zuma called Afrikaners the only true South Africans among the white groups in the country.
"Of all the white groups that are in South Africa, it is only the Afrikaners that are truly South Africans in the true sense of the word," Zuma said.
Phosa was speaking at the conclusion of a day-long closed meeting before handing the podium over to Zuma.
He also addressed perceived discrimination at the SABC, saying the broadcaster's house was crumbling.
A member of the audience interjected, saying: "Hy het klaar geval" (It's already fallen).
Phosa said there was no room for discrimination at the SABC or anywhere else in the country.
He said the ANC "het baie mooi geluister en het baie geleer" (listened intently and learnt alot) from the discussions.
Source : Sapa /jog/nm/th
Date : 02 Apr 2009 16:54
