It is easy for the black middle class to turn a blind eye to racism because they are “elevated” and have better opportunities.

This is the view of Anglican Bishop Bethlehem Nopece.

Nopece was commenting on the recent reports that a number of black celebrities had come out in support of Pastor Andre Olivier of the Rivers Church in Sandton‚ whose Sunday sermon was seen to suggest that black people are lazy.

Lloyd Cele‚ Tumisho Masha and Lorna Maseko are among those who backed Olivier‚ saying that his sermon was taken out of context and that he is a “good man of God.

Olivier has since apologised for his comments.

Nopece said: “The problem with the people who sit in the pews is that they don’t fall in love with Christ‚ they fall in love with the incumbent [pastor].

“They turn a blind eye to what the incumbent they love says. Some have accepted what the incumbent says to be the testament.

“It’s sad that this happens with black people … They need to open their eyes to the realities of life.”

Self-proclaimed prophet and founder of the Incredible Happenings church‚ Paseka Motsoeneng‚ popularly known as Pastor Mboro‚ shared Nopece’s sentiments‚ adding that the black middle who ignore racism are those who are successful in life.

“They see themselves as their white counterparts. They left the townships. They speak the language. Some even forget that they are black.”

“Some have never even experienced racism‚” Mboro said.