The racial divide in Coligny is so deep-seated that even members of the same church, one in the township and another in town, never mingle with one another.
Reverend David Celo of NG Kerk in Africa in Tlhabologang township, who became the first black mayor of the town in 1994, said even religion has failed to squash the tension.
"Coligny has always been a racist place even before I became the mayor. It's now worse than before.
"It has infiltrated our churches to the point that blacks from the NG Kerk in the township don't know their fellow worshippers in town."
He said the situation was worsened by the poverty and lack of service delivery that is gripping township dwellers.
Sowetan could not immediately get a comment from the NG Kerk in town.
A white businessman who owns farms in Coligny said the acts of racism were new.
"It was never like this before. We lived in peace and there was a sense of communal support.
"There is a third political hand at play here. Immediately after the death of that boy [Matlhomola Mosweu] we started seeing a particular political party's posters on the streets."
He said farmers were also facing challenges that needed to be confronted by both communities.
One God, separate worship
The racial divide in Coligny is so deep-seated that even members of the same church, one in the township and another in town, never mingle with one another.
Reverend David Celo of NG Kerk in Africa in Tlhabologang township, who became the first black mayor of the town in 1994, said even religion has failed to squash the tension.
"Coligny has always been a racist place even before I became the mayor. It's now worse than before.
"It has infiltrated our churches to the point that blacks from the NG Kerk in the township don't know their fellow worshippers in town."
He said the situation was worsened by the poverty and lack of service delivery that is gripping township dwellers.
Sowetan could not immediately get a comment from the NG Kerk in town.
A white businessman who owns farms in Coligny said the acts of racism were new.
"It was never like this before. We lived in peace and there was a sense of communal support.
"There is a third political hand at play here. Immediately after the death of that boy [Matlhomola Mosweu] we started seeing a particular political party's posters on the streets."
He said farmers were also facing challenges that needed to be confronted by both communities.
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