'Madam' stunned by Sowetan readers
AUTHOR Emmaleen Kriel, the former "madam" who two weeks ago publicly apologised in Parliament for ill-treating her domestic workers, has been shocked by the backlash she has received from Sowetan readers.
Madam 'shocked and stunned' by the readers' comments and wanted to explain
The readers criticised her after she was hugged by Parliament's labour committee chairperson Lumka Yengeni for apologising for her actions.
They were unimpressed with Kriel's gesture. One wrote that if Kriel was really sorry she should "buy her servants houses or give their grandchildren bursaries to repay them".
Another wrote: "She knew it was wrong then but still did it. Now we're in the so-called rainbow nation, she sees it fit to apologise. She'll never have my sympathy."
Kriel told Sowetan she was "shocked and stunned" by the readers' comments and wanted to explain.
She said that in 1997, after many years of ill-treating her maids, her husband died and she was forced to get a job in London as a maid herself.
She said this experience made her think of the South African "maids" that she and her friends had employed and ill-treated.
"I wanted to get in touch with all the maids who worked for me. I sent my letter to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, offering to read it out," she said.
She asked Sowetan readers to accept her apology.
"Our behaviour was thoughtless and hurtful and it suited us, only to have our own families at heart."
smhlangu
A dog will always be a dog !! their hearts are still evil and will never change.Report Abuse
LadySkroof
apologetic for being an evil cruel racist and we supposed to accept the pity apology ...NEVER...we might be black and poor but we know whats right and wrong and this white racist woman is sorry for being caught..finish and klaarReport Abuse
Joseng
We can say what we want to say, the ols lady apologised beacause she went through the maid job as her husband passed on mayb not because it was out of her heart, because she was about to experience what is like to be a maid, and how she is to be treated also. the wheel is round and you will never know when it will turn aginst you.Report Abuse
Pabi
Madam you apologised just because you felt how hard it is being a maid, to top it all not being appreciated, so if your husband was still alive your friends and yourself you will be in joy of illtreating other people, unfortunately you never noticed that being white is not like you are the angel of God than other people, leave with your sins and racism and leave those people they are trying to heal for what u did to them.Report Abuse
ReaderOfSowetan
Don't judge too soon. This old lady would not go through all the trouble she did if she was not sincere. Yes, many other "madams" were bad, but see this for what it is: a public apology. Rather congratulate her for standing up, and we must wish more would do the same. We must not react with racism of our own.Report Abuse
Realist
I think the lady is indeed sorry for what she did in the past. It's not like she's being forced to apologize or something... These people have hearts, sometimes they forget to show affection to blacks when they are with their fellow whites. However, It pains some of them when they alone thinking of what they did... And this woman is one of those people@ReaderOfSowetan: You right my brother, she deserves some credit. It takes some guts and a good heart to stand up and apologize in public.
Enough Said
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lekalatp
O kae Kuku? Nna I'm saying, she has done the right thing, to appologise is very much difficult regardless that you are at fault or not. re tla motswarela ga 77 times. Botho Mafrika, bana ba mmala wa sibilo.Report Abuse
Joseng
Guys i hear what you are saying, but help me here, do you guys think if her husband was still alive she would have apologised, since her husband died, thats where she started looking for a job as a maid,why apoligse after her hubby passed away, what was the motive behind the apology????Report Abuse
Joviss
She ddnt have to experience it to apologise,it comes back to being a human being with morals and respect for other people..now bcos she was mistreated she realises that she was wrong,KAK man!!!!Report Abuse
Mantombi
It's a good thing to apologise. I hope the maids will accept the apology. Remember guys it's not asy to apologise madam has taken a great step. Moreover it's not for us to Judge, UMENZI WETHU UZAKUMLINGISA.Report Abuse