Watch
the video (warning: could offend)
A video showing four white Afrikaner students forcing five black domestic
workers to eat dirty meat and drink soup into which they had urinated has
inflamed racial tensions and provoked violent protests between students.
The home-made video, which was made to protest about moves to integrate black
and white students in the same university residences, shows students at the
University of the Free State humiliating black workers, some of whom are
elderly.
A violent backlash against the film caused all classes to be suspended
yesterday as hundreds of staff and students marched in protest. Police fired
stun grenades to disperse an angry crowd gathered outside the whites-only
halls of residence where the film was shot.
In the video the white students, who make no attempt to hide their faces,
order the black people who were cleaners at the whites-only Reitz hostel to
down full bottles of beer. They then lead them to a playing field where they
are told to display their athletic skills. In the final extract a white man
urinates on food and into a plastic soup container. Then, shouting: “Take!
Take!” in Afrikaans — he apparently forces the campus employees to eat the
dirty food, causing them to vomit.
A narrative in Afrikaans indicates that the recording was made in protest
against the university integration policy. Last month there were angry
demonstrations on campus against the policy by mainly white students. “Once
upon a time the boere (Afrikaners) lived peacefully here on Reitz Island,
until one day when the lessadvantaged discovered the word ‘integration’ in
the dictionary,” a resident of the men’s hostel says.
The video ends with the words: “That, at the end of the day, is what we think
of integration.” Anton Fisher, a university spokesman, said that the
cleaners, four women and one man, were duped — an act that has increased
anger over the video.
The spectacle of young whites exploiting older black cleaners, considered to
be some of the most vulnerable people in the country, has outraged public
opinion across the spectrum and triggered nationwide soul-searching over the
level of racism in the country 14 years after the end of apartheid. It comes
at a time of increased political tension with many whites accusing the
Government of having abandoned its all-inclusive “rainbow nation” approach
in favour of positive discrimination that they say has veered towards
reverse racism. Blacks have countered that Nelson Mandela tried too hard to
reconcile with old-school whites who refuse to change their ways.
The university, which is located in what was previously the Orange Free State
— a bastion of Afrikanerdom — is known for having predominantly white
students since the days of apartheid. It has encountered difficulties trying
to integrate people from other racial groups. Student groups say that they
are now planning to call nationwide anti-racism demonstrations in response
to the video.
Frederick Fourie, the university’s rector, said that he was “extremely upset
about the incident”.
The four students who have been identified in the video could face serious
action. Two have already left the university and so cannot be suspended or
expelled, but all four could face criminal charges.
Feelings are running high on the campus, which has split along racial lines
over the issue. Many white students — while distancing themselves from the
video — say that the four are in danger of being made scapegoats over a
policy of integration that is being forced down their throats. Black
students say that they cannot study alongside white students who do not
unequivocally condemn the video and its purpose.
The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) said yesterday that
racial tensions in the country appear to have risen over the past month.
Frans Cronje, the deputy chief executive officer at the institute, said that a
spate of recent events raised concerns about whether South Africa was able
to build on the general improvement in race relations the institute has
monitored over the past years.
He referred to a racist shooting in the north west of the country, where a
young white man allegedly went on a shooting spree in a township that
claimed several black lives, including a young child. The Forum for Black
Journalists then ejected white colleagues from a recent “blacks-only”
meeting with Jacob Zuma, the newly elected president of the ruling African
National Congress. Mr Zuma, who is in line to take over as the country’s
President when Thabo Mbeki steps down in 2009, said that he saw nothing
wrong with a “blacks-only” meeting — a comment which many non-blacks
interpreted as the end of an attempt to build an all-inclusive, multi-racial
society as promised in the ANC’s founding charter and the country’s
Constitution.
“Actions such as these shown on the video will do great damage to race
relations in South Africa. It probably sets us back a significant amount of
time,” Mr Cronje said.
when is this going to stop? why arent poeple in south Africa doing something about it? i feel very discusted with what is going on in south Africa and all over Africa. every crime must go punished.
C.w, staten island , new york
Such atrocious behaviour is unacceptable and inexcusable.And must be condemned by all South Africans irrespective of race.Unfortunately,that shall never happen in South Africa unless a particular race has been victimised.
When something is wrong,it is wrong and no excuses should be made.
The events on the video highlight the extent of the racial atrocities in SA.
In January 2008,I was refused a table in a restaurant and would have been the only African client that evening.This was not the first time something like this was happening to me in South Africa.
South Africans are victims of crime,this also is not racial.I and my family have been several times.
Unfortunately such behavior doesn't encourage unity rather breeds contempt.
South Africans need to condemn it by all means and the perpetrators have to be punished by the law.
Sonwabile, Guildford,
Why is it that it's always the white people who always perform the exploiting,humiliating acts on Black people and we never hear of Maids, Nannies ,Garden Boys ,Cooks etc putting vomit,excreta etc into the food of their so called, masters.When such acts of barbarism are performed on Black people by whites, there's always excuses, perhaps it's time white people of South Africa start perfoming such sick jokes on their own people.
Zakhona Ellis, Gloucestershire, UK
One, this should not be seen not seen an initiation ceremony (ie Public School) but pure premediated humilation. Urinating on people's food and then happily giving it to them is really quite sick and is NO WAY justifible. As far as the students 'friendship' is concerned they went out of their way to soil it, and quite literally.
It is disgusting and the people concerned should be punished. This is beyond any type of 'reasonable' behaviour.
kallan, London,
Apartheid at its best. Take several (no, many) paces backwards.
Rodney, Linncolnshire, U.K.
The initiation ceremonies in British public schools is far worse than that!
Pedro Tam, London,
I have been reading the comments on the Free State University with interest. What strikes me is how some people always provide excuses for such dastardly acts. Since some people are providing explanation for such incidents, lets just ponder for a moment. Is it going to be acceptable If the majority of the population uses apartheid as an excuse to kill and rob white. the nonsense about affirmative action, BEE. If this was such a huge problem, why is the economy of South Africa still managed and controlled by a minority. Unemployment is a fact of life for black people.
White people have actually become richer since 1994. They feature in all BEE deals.The problem is they don't want to share. Australia, the government apologised for the atrocities against indigenous people. For some white South Africans, apartheid is a blackman's figment of imagination, it never existed, never benefited them. suppose it was divine intervention that there townships and properly structured suburbs. Anele
Anele, Johannesburg, South Africa
I also just want to say that the staff weren't FORCED to do anything they were playing along in a friendly manner and laughed about it. They were however "tricked" into it. and did not realize what was going on. Until the video came out.
I'm not saying I agree with what they did cause I most certianly DO NOT. But the news and media is making it seem as if there was this video showing the staff in pan and being forced and shouted at. This is not the case.
The men have also said they would never feed people rine and were friends with these staff members before the video even came out. They use a bottle to make it look like urine being poured in. If you look at the whole video you can see the man is holding something else from the side of his pocket.
All im saying is, Don't believe everyhting you hear. Media tends to blow things out of proportion to make it sound more gripping. First hear both sides before making judgement. I made the mistake of not doing that.
Charmaine Spangenberg, Bloemfontein, South Africa
This will cause the more volatile elements among the black males to increase attacks on whites. They don't really need much prompting.
They've disturbed a hornets nest.
John, London,
The saddest thing about all of this is if you didn't understand the context in which this video was being filmed(non-Afrikaans speakers), you would think this was all in good fun (until one witnesses the urination, that is) The cleaners themselves appear to be having a good time, messing around with the students. They clearly weren't under any duress at all.
Its tragic that those boys didn't realise that sooner....
I'm hoping its all been blown out of proportion and somehow I've misunderstood something. Otherwise, its an utter disgrace.
Its heartwarming, however, to see condemnation across the board (black and white) against such atrocities.
Don't take the exception to be the rule...
Candice, London, UK
To : Mary
I hope you are not referring to me in terms of being negative about SA. I have been born & bred in in the Eastern Cape (Transkei) and for the the first time in my life (39 years) I will be travelling to the UK in June to see friends & family. I am not innocent or about the realities of life in SA. SA, especially Transkei has the most beautiful countrside in the the world however politics will destroy it.
Graham, EL, South Africa
Is it just a coincidence that the release of this video (made a year ago) coincided with Jacob Zuma's “blacks-only†lunch with the Forum of Black Journalists?
Tracy Bruce, Johannesburg, South Africa
Forty years ago, at the age of 19, I left my country of birth, South Africa, because I couldn’t stomach watching people treated worse than animals. If someone had told me then that in forty years time South Africa would have had a black government for 12 years and that whites would still be living the good life, I would have called them insane. Take care white South Africans, too many more incidents like this and you may find nowhere to go when you need to.
David John Wilkinson, Dartford, UK
I agree with with Marita. I have been a victim of two armed robberies (1993 & 2004) where I had weapons held against my head. I only told my sister this year (2008) & she demanded that I go for trauma counselling etc. Marita is right. Become desenitized and accept that you live in South Africa
Graham, EL, South Africa
I am really shocked by this. All the comments stating that the circumstances in the country make these acts understandable... Scorpions, crime, BEE, none of that is an excuse for this kind of behavior. Makes me ashamed to be a white South African, and don't give me some bull about how I don't know what it's like because I am living in London. What is happening to our beautiful country? It's up to each and every one of us to be ambassadors of our Rainbow Nation.
Mary Honnet, London,
I agree BJ. I have no intention of leaving SA (Beautiful coountry) however I am positive as how we will go. Zim did in 28 years. SA will break the record and destroy in the next 8 years. A glass was half full last year but when Zuma became involved it now looks half empty.
Graham, EL, South Africa
As someone who lived in SA for 24 years, let us wait and find out the facts from a reliable source and that most definitely does not mean the ANC or one of the black racist organisations that are now busy destroying South Africa. Life there has become very dangerous for those who cannot afford a bodyguard or armoured car. There is more racism there than under Apartheid with laws to ensure that blacks can get jobs before whites, Indians and coloureds (mixed races). Read up on the many problems there before you make comments based on one report where the students have not even been allowed to make any statements yet, and if you feel strongly about the alleged incident, then also feel as strongly about the economic and social woes that are bound to come, especially with a new and uneducated president who is an avowed communist, Jaco Zuma. There will be many refugees soon coming to Europe legally as SA becomes even more dangerous. It is only second to Colombia at present.
B J Deller, Marbella, Spain
@petra.."white people must recognise that they are the problem in today's world"
A comment like this beggars belief. Shall we start with a few of Africa's own failings, like Dafur, Rwanda, Somalia, Zimbabwe?
If white people are such a problem, why do the world's successful countries emulate Western civilisation?
RogerP, Pretoria,
Yes! I agree that what took place was was totally unacceptable. We must however look at the bigger picture in terms of what is happening in SA. The Scorpions (based on the concept of the US FBI) are due to be disbanded soon. Why? No reason given by the Government, however the general consensus is because they are too successful in their prosecution of top Government officials for fraud,bribary etc. This then filters down right to the most poor of poor who have seen no change in their lives (No electricity, water etc.) In the middle we have a very proud nation of Afrikaners who feel that their very culture is being threatened because of BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) which forces companies to have a certain percentage of blacks on the board of directors no matter how unqualified for the position. It has been 14 years since democracy and our education system runs for 12 years and yet there are still quotes etc. in place for business, sport etc.
Graham, EL, South Africa
How come South Africa still has racially segregated student halls of residence? It's 14 years since they became democratic and they still do that? No wonder there's racial tension.
mick, London,
The question remains whether this was setup as a joke or realy happening. Why isnt this reported as such?
24 000 South Africans are murdered due to violent crime acts a year. Isnt this sensational enough to report about?
We're trapped in our houses. And even there, we're not safe.
Afrikaner girl, Cape Town , South Africa
For all the accolades Nelson Mandela has gained- no disrespect to the man- what did he do to raise the living standards of Black South Africans?... not much as this video still shows.
And to those who may want to pass this of as an isolated incident, an anomaly amongst the norm of peaceful and equitable white- black relations, I urge you to think again. One visit to SA (as I did) will prove otherwise.
Naa, Berkshire, UK
typical media hyping things up .... im dreading to see what the "right wing paper" the sun will have on its headlines..............brace yourselves.
surjeet, bedford,
What about the black discrimination against whites and coloureds? Why don't you publish about this? It is a fact that coloureds are treated worse today than under apartheid, they are not even second class citizens in South Africa they are third class citizens.
The only reason you publish this type of crime is because it is white people involved. You publish nothing about the 24,000 murders every year in South Africa and the racist element in many of these crimes.
This is not responsible and balanced reporting in fact it is racist in content as it is deliberately giving the impression that racism is endemic amongst whites.
Richard K, Nottingham,
These acts were despicable but so is it despicable to say that 'Afrikaaners' are Dutch 'colonists' and treat them as such. Afrikaaners are as much Dutch colonists in many areas of SA as other black tribes, who themselves colonised the rest of SA AFTER the arrival of the original Dutch. Is it only when 'colonists' by force of numbers become the majority population in a country that they are not treated as 'colonists' and become rightful owners to the land, as in the US, Australia, Kosovo etc and so many other places? This kind of reasoning explains the understandable outrage of Serbs that Kosovo is now independent when, before the Ottoman invasion centuries ago, it was the heart of the Serb nation. It explains the desenfranchised and discriminated against status of Jordans Palestinian majority. It also explains the inderstandable fears of many, especially in samll countries, that unbridled immigration is an invasion and conquest by another name. SA should have been partitioned period
mark, Ibrag, Malta
This insident reminds me of J.M Coetzee's book, Disgrace.
Brutal attacks and desensitisation to violent crime is part of the South African daily life. Yet the international media is turning a blind eye. The SA govenment is in denial.
The article in Die Burger also refers to the students adding a little bit of meat and in the view of the reporter it suggests it looks like meat you would feed a dog.
We have to ask why did this happen?
It is sad that a handful of male Afrikaners want to humiliate those previously disadvantaged to boost their egos.
SA's male dominated Afrikaner society were shattered with the arrival of the Rainbow Nation.
Every South African is faced with violent crime on a daily basis - attacks on houses with machine guns, women and chilren raped, husbands shot execution style.
The only way to survive is to become desensitized.
The hunted becomes the hunter in an endless cycle.
South Africa needs to be forced to declare war on crime.
Marita, Surrey, U.K.
The media is a strange thing. Lets start of by saying that I do NOT agree with what they have done. Firstly, this video was shot 7 months ago and was not done in protess of the integration. Secondly, it was a prank played on the workers who the students know very well.They never drank actual urine. It was done for a sort of comedy night that the hostel has every year. I agree it was done in bad taste but it does not make them racist. It is strange though, how the video came out now in a time where there are deffinate tensions around racial lines. I hope these kids, foolish as they were, will not become the scapegoats for a much bigger problem. Lastly, I am an South African, the fact that I speak Afrikaans and am refered to as Afrikaner does not make me a racist. The fact that the Orange Freestate is an "bastion of Afrikanerdom" only means that their happens to live a lot of Afrikaans speaking people.
Jaco , Cape Town, RSA
Anne- Marie. Well said. If it was a video of muslims in the Uk abusing white people no doubt many people on here would say these people should be deported to the land of their origin regardless of their birth place. Why does this not apply in this case?
Raymond, Liverpool, UK
I agree completely that this is a sub-human thing to do, it is however unfair to point the finger at the Afrikaners as a whole, and the very fact that this made world headlines shows the bias towards the Afrikaner of whom the vast majority is trying to embrace the new South Africa despite discrimination directed towards them on a daily basis. Just last week the Forum for Black Journalists held a Luncheon with the President to be Jacob Zuma in which white people were specifically barred from attending, purely based on the colour of theit skin, 2 weeks ago in 2 seperate incidents 3 white students were stabbed in a racially motivated attacks, you don't see anything about that in the world media do you. And Anne-Marie from London, you do realize with your gross generalization of Afrikaners you are just as "vile" as "they" are, and i'm sure they'd go back to Holland or any other European country if they had the opportunity.
Raymond, Johannesburg, South Africa
Everyone on these pages have an opinion, but please come to SA and see what is happening here.
White and black live in constant fear on violant crime, some of the things that happen in SA are so extreamly violant than you will not believe it.
Yes what those boys did was not right, I know the cleaners and when I go through Bloem I visit Reitz and see them.
Last night when I saw the video clip I felt sick to my stomick, we the Afrikaners who live in SA will have to deal with and pay for what they did.
All of you sit there in London or Seattle or where ever and think you know what you are talking about, what do you know of living with a gun, sleeping with a dog in you room of having secutity gates inside your home?????
Yes what the Reitz boys did was wrong, but it is the sosial situation in SA that has brought this about nothing can stop SA slipping into a Zim or a Kenya situation.
A Fouche (Reitz old boy), Thabazimbi, South Africa
As a white South African....just when you think you don't have to hang your head in shame anymore. Just when you think you don't have to be quite as embarrassed by your past ...........
Marinda, Cape Town,
Why doesnt the government send these vile people back to Holland where they belong! What is Afrikaner anyway but a made up name? Get real there is no such thing as a rainbow nation these Europeans would bring back apartheid if they had the chance!!
Anne-Marie, London,
I know that all this is outrageous, but is this really related to racism? I mean that this kind of humiliations is also common among people of the same race. Did the students do that because the cleaners were white or because they were weak?
Quok, Mallorca, Spain
South Africa. Damn shame. What do people there think of blacks...urine soup....ATHLETIC skills? These people have got humiliation down to a Tee and to think the cleaners were elderly women...
Long live the perfect Rainbow Nation...
Melissa, Kampala, Uganda
I was so saddened reading this. I visited RSA in 2001 and just fell in love with the place and its people - it is a nation with so much potential. I have never felt so genuinely welcome as a guest in someone's country and everyone seemed so proud and genuinely concerned that we had a good time and took back good memories. Well done to Garth Kruger for speaking up for what, I hope, are the majority of Afrikaaners. If you want to know what will happen if racial division is promoted and resentment among black is fuelled, just cast your eyes across the border to Zim and see what the future holds. Respect, tolerance and equanimity for all South Africans, regardless of the colour of their skin is the only way forward. Criminals must be punished equally, children must be given equal opportunities to reach their full potential. RUSUNGU London must be the only person on the planet, aside from Mugabe himself, who would hold Zim up as a positive example. Heaven help us when Mandela dies.
Cally, Manama, Bahrain
Revolting. Tragic. Shocking. Defeating. Worrisome. Outrageous. Sick.
Sarah, Seattle, WA, USA
The image is reminiscent of Nazi Germany and Abu Grahb. It is sickening. On the other hand I recently met an expat South African who left after barely escaping with his life an attack by thugs. If the tragedy that has befallen other failed African states can be avoided, everyone, black and white must be a part of the solution. It would be good if the press could concentrate on what is going right and cover attempts by the government to find solutions to the crime and unemployment. Of course if there aren't any, (efforts), that is another story and should provoke outrage as well.
Michaela, Charleston, USA
I am surprised with this event.we are living in a moder civilization ,the racialism should be abandoned.
chander, london,
This is a racial atrocity of the 1st order. This is no student prank perpetrated by white students on black students in the "spirt" of dumb University pranks found around the world.
This was done to defenseless workers easily old enough to be the parents of the perpetrators. Young people forcing elderly people of a different race to behave as children and to take "collective punishments" strips the adults of there status and leaves them poweless as a child. This putrid attempt to to keep adult black people in a state of perpetual childhood has always been the building block of Racial Hatred .It is the ABC of the Master/Servant relationship.
South Africa should be in sack cloth and ashes.
To the rest of the world dont be smug. This behavoiur reminds me of Oxford and Cambridge in the 20s 30s..and Im sure that this "Upper Class" racism is still found there today.
Leslie Udwin, Johannesburg, South Africa
A sad day for South Africa. No use saying other events are also terrible. This is terrible. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Phil, Hong Kong,
I wouldn't be supprised if this was just the tip of an iceberg.
Absolutely disgusting.
jayil, london, uk
Rather warry about the thousand people killed in Kenia
Piet B, Brackenfell, South Africa
It's a shame that event. Can't accept racial discrimination. Everybody were create by God.
Evandro Dias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Thirteen years after independence the residences of the black and white students are still not integrated, amazing, a de facto apartheid in the 'rainbow republic'!
Trevor, Nanchang, China
If only there were the same reactions to the extreme violence and rapes committed each and every day and a government that does nothing, including keeping silent on the genocide in Zimbawe. This kind of behaviour from these students is socking and unacceptable but the media will play on the "Afrikaner" white/black angle.
justin, London,
Sick ignorant racist people who should be all punished severely. Racists are simply ignorant uneducated people who have something missing from them , humanity or reasoning.
Kevin, Camden, UK
As a South African myself I am absolutely disgusted and ashamed by the behaviour of these individuals. Over the last 15 years we have made great strides for freedom and equality for all South Africans. Again its the minority who make the majority of us look foolish and backward to the rest of the world.
Jay, London,
So how many people are dead? Not like Kriss Donald, is it? Something you all kept very quiet about.
Bruce Robertson, Brighton, UK
The BEE (black economic empowerment) initiative implemented in South Africa is to blame for so much of this tension. The system has made a certain minority of black people very rich, but has left the vast majority in the same dire position as 14 years ago. White people are furious and bitter because it is very difficult for them to get a job, so have to start up their own cmpanies etc to dodge the system. If BEE was revised and more people were benefiting, and the government recognised skill rather than race, tensions would improve.
Connor Poog, Leuchars,
The main characters of this outrage should be punished severely for all obvious reasons.
It has to be said, what are they thinking when doing things like this?
The Afrikaaner seems to be in a very weakened position as it is.
How many of them have been wiped out in post Apartheid South Africa- 1000, 2000 or is nearly 3000 men, women and even children?
If the worlds media have glossed over the catastrophic crime ridden murder rate, the above mentioned Afrikaaner farm murders, the slide into corrupt tribalism within the ANC, then they'll certainly use this to justify it all-
- and these idiots have just handed them this on a golden platter.
Unbelievable.
Jez W, Leeds,
Sadly, it is the same old story. South Africa takes two steps forwards and then in the next breath, takes three steps back.
No matter how hard South Africa tries, there are always going to be a minority of fools that will never accept the positive strides and changes that have happened since '94. While we have to make these horrible events public in order for them to be stopped, we have to find ways to try and focus on all the great things that SA has to offer! Proudly South African living abroad...
JG, Miami, USA,
absolutely completely 100% unacceptable. Total morons. As an Afrikaner and ex -student of the once proud university of the OFS I cannot express my disgust in words. This unspeakable act paints us all with the same brush: I hope readers can accept these stupid morons are on their own in this? I hope the workers sue the university and the students up the yin yang. This crap has to end. Not all Afrikaners are stupid rascists like these imbiciles. How are things ever going to change back home if idiots like this keep doing stuff like this? Word wakker julle dom donners.
Garth kruger, Calgary, Canada
If only there was such a reaction at the horrifying levels of crime in Sout Africa, or Mbeki's inaction on the Zimbabwe problem.
Patrick Bateman, London,
South Africa is still a long way when I compare it to Zimbabwe, whites live in their own areas the upper class and the blacks are still in shady towns. Well the might be inflation in Zimbabwe but the whites and blacks are equal. South Africa should copy it`s neighbour Zimbabwe. Educates its black people both young and old, some of them are still very vulnerable and they think whites are still supior.
RUSUNGU, LONDON, UK
I know very little about the situation here, so will not comment too much, but:
"The four students who have been identified in the video could face serious action. Two have already left the university and so cannot be suspended or expelled. All four however could face criminal charges"
Haven't they committed a crime here? So shouldn't they be punished as such? This is not something the university should be dealing with alone, but rather the society as a whole. I'd really like to see these actions condemned a little more whole-heartedly.
Brijit, Paris, France
I'm so embarrassed to be South African when I see this kind of behavior!
Why in a country were so many people are trying to "make it work" must students with so little foresight perform these kind of acts? This behavior has such a negative effect on the attempt build a nation around the understanding and acceptance of cultural differences.
Its time like these I am glad I live abroad and do not have to deal with such non-sense! Come on people contribute toward the solution....not the problem.
JRU, London, England
dear rach - the media would focus on a positive story if there was one. These guys might not be the 'vast majority of afrikaners' but it is time we admit these things happen and these are fellow south africans, warts and all. Remember the 'vast majority of afrikaners' voted in, and kept in , the apartheid government but now in the year 2008 it is very difficult to find one who admits to have been a nationalist party member.... Denial is complicity.......
anna, JHB,
disgusting ... fortunately these people do not represent the views of the vast majority of afrikaners.However, i wish the media would focus on a positive story in South Africa for a change.Sotuh Africa has come a long way since the days of apartheid.
rach, rdg,
These guys should be made to serve a long term of imprisonment They will learn all about the joys of integration that way.
As is usual with this type they will become born again Christians having found God. The bunch of hypocrites.
Brian O Cinneide, eThekwini, Afrika Borwa