In 1994‚ “humanity prayed for us to defeat the demon of racism”‚ but‚ lamented Congress of the People deputy president Willy Madisha‚ “sadly‚ the demons that were sleeping have been awakened”.

“For the once internationally respected liberation movement to resort to racism‚ to garner support for the upcoming local government elections‚ is totally distressing‚” Madisha said on Wednesday.

His comments came a day after a “debate of national importance” on racism – particularly at institutions of higher education — descended into chaos and politicking in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Madisha opined that the work of former presidents “Nelson Mandela and of FW de Klerk is being destroyed by the present government”.

 “Mandela’s vision of a colour blind South Africa‚ where skin colour would no longer determines ones destiny‚ is being shuttered‚” he said.

“University students are better placed than most in society to defeat racism. As there is a strong nexus between colonialism and racism‚ university students must take the lead in intellectually defeating the colonial mindset that nurtures and keeps alive racism.”

 But‚ Madisha said: “Students cannot be intellectual and racists at the same time. These are mutually exclusive things. Neither can students employ violence and arson to achieve transformation.

“It is only evil politics that seeks to thrive on bigotry‚ racist malice and xenophobic hostility. Let no party seek to prosper from racism. Its existence is detrimental to us.”