On Page 7 of 7 February 2012 Grocott’s Mail there was published an SMS warning someone in particular to
stop being friendly with foreign business owners (referred to as “these people” – an all too recognisable,
South African racist turn of phrase). The message finishes with “We are watching your friendships.”

Perhaps it is just me, but I find it very difficult to interpret this message as anything other than a   xenophobically motivated threat being made to an individual in our community.

Editor, why on earth did you publish this rather than simply reporting it to the police? In the context of a country that, in recent years, has experienced so much xenophobic violence, much of it targeted at foreign business owners, I find your willingness to advertise such a threat (surely not protected by freedom of speech) to show a staggering lack of judgement.

Tom Martin

Editor: Printing a reader’s opinion does necessarily mean that we endorse it. In the particular case you are
referring to, we believe that the writer was being critical of the mayor and urged him to give more opportunities to local businesses. For the record, we reject any form of racism and or xenophobia.