Speaker, the DA rejects with contempt the statements made by government's spokesperson Jimmy Manyi on both the coloured and Indian communities in South Africa. Mr Manyi is quoted as saying that there are too many coloureds in the Western Cape and that they are, and I quote, "overconcentrated".
One wonders if Mr Manyi was talking about cattle or human beings. And this was not the end of his racial tirade. In the year that South Africa is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Indians to our country, which this very House discussed, Mr Manyi declared that there were too many Indians in top management positions and that they have bargained their way to the top.
In so doing, he played on the racist and apartheid-inspired stereotypes of Indian South Africans. This has no place in a society based on freedom, dignity and equality. Indeed, these comments are a serious affront to the dignity of these two communities. Yet Jimmy Manyi still has his job! While some in the ANC have rightly condemned him for his statements, he remains in office as a representative of this government.
The fact that he has not been removed is an embarrassment to this country and an insult to the people he has been disrespectful to. The DA proposed a motion today to be passed by Parliament, condemning Mr Manyi's comments and stating that they directly conflict with the principles of dignity ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]