Ngizwe Mchunu
THE recent wave of toxic rhetoric on the Bhinca Nation podcast, led by host Ngizwe Mchunu and his co-hosts, is a chilling reminder that language is never neutral.
When public figures use their platforms to spread racist, xenophobic and tribalist rhetoric for digital engagement, they do not merely share opinions; they help create the conditions in which hatred can harden and violence can follow.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation was right to condemn the remarks. Of particular concern is the reported use of the slur “mkla”, a term intended to dehumanise Indian South Africans, mark them as outsiders, and cast them as legitimate targets for the country’s frustrations.
In a country as fragile as ours, we cannot afford to dismiss this as mere humour or commentary. South Africa has seen, including during the July 2021 unrest, how quickly inflammatory language can deepen fear, legitimise intimidation, and contribute to a climate of violence. When slurs enter the common digital vernacular, they erode the equality and dignity that leaders such as Uncle Kathy spent their lives trying to secure.
