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If the ANC leadership refuses to talk to the leaders of other political parties about political intolerance, what example do they set their followers? By refusing to take part in multi-party discussions on this issue, they add fuel to the fire of an already dangerous situation.

Political intolerance, like religious intolerance must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. By not being seen to be supportive of our initiative, the ANC, which claims to have considerable political support in the Western Cape, is itself guilty of intolerance and is sending out the same message to its followers. This is nothing more than irresponsible.

It is not enough to condemn intolerance only with words. To be effective all our political leaders must publicly demonstrate their joint commitment to eradicate political intolerance.

The meeting of Western Cape political leaders called by me this afternoon would have been such an opportunity. By calling this meeting to try to diffuse growing political intolerance in the Nyanga, Langa and Samora Machel areas, I had hoped that we could show our people in a practical way that political differences could be ironed out peaceably.

While I welcome the ANC's verbal public stance against political intolerance, I join many others in questioning their absolute and honest commitment to it. Their outright refusal to join other political leaders in seeking peaceful solutions to inter-party conflict, leaves us with no alternative but to do so ourselves.

As the leader of this Province, I call on Mr Rasool to re-consider his decision. Let us find solutions to the political conflict in these communities, before more lives are lost.

Enquiries: Chris Koole at 082 774 3462

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape, 20 September 2001