‘Adam Habib is no racist,’ says Thuli Madonsela and others
Adam Habib found himself at the centre of a racial storm after he used the n-word, during a virtual session with SOAS students and now the likes of Thuli Madonsela are standing by him
Former public protector, advocate Thuli Madonsela is one of several people who have come to Professor Adam Habib’s defence, in the wake of racism allegations which led to him being asked to step aside from his post as the director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.
Madonsela, United States-based writers Justice Malala, Palesa Morudu and former chairman of the South African Human Rights Commission Barney Pityana, penned an article in which warned against Habib’s removal, saying this would lead to “the silencing of all voices.”
PHOTO: Denzil Maregele/Gallo Images, Beeld
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela, University of South Africa law professor Barney Pityana and two writers have come out in support of Professor Adam Habib.
They claim he is not racist after his use of the n-word landed him in hot water.
They demanded his reinstatement to his position at the London School of Oriental and African Studies.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela, writers Palesa Morudu and Justice Malala, and University of South Africa law professor Barney Pityana have penned a letter to support Professor Adam Habib in his racism row.
They say that Habib, director at the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), is not racist.
THULI: ADAM HABIB IS NOT RACIST! 08 April 2021 Professor Adam Habib. Photo: Felix Dlangamandla.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela, writers Palesa Morudu and Justice Malala, and University of South Africa law professor Barney Pityana have penned a letter to support Professor Adam Habib in his racism row.
They say that Habib, director at the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), is not racist.
Habib was widely criticised for his use of the n-word during a Zoom meeting with student leaders.
He was asked to step aside while the university investigates the matter.
SOAS students and academics have called for his sacking.
Based on the original video clip circulating on social media, these are the facts. During the meeting, a participant read a question from another student asking how the School of Oriental and African Studies could make statements about Black Lives Matter “while underfunding the Africa Department… and allowing lecturers to say the n-word in class”. Habib responded by verbalising the word, saying its use would be a disciplinary matter, and urging students to bring such incidents to his attention.
Several students were visibly upset with Habib for uttering the word. One student, who is black, said that Habib is not allowed to use that word because he is not black, and had not “suffered 500 years of oppression that black bodies go through every day”. Habib became defensive, and even clumsy, saying that the n-word does get used “where I come from… in context”. He also apologised for uttering the word.
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela flanked by Professor Adam Habib during a debate on the Nkandla Report at Wits Senate House, Johannesburg. Picture: Dumisani Sibeko
Thuli Madonsela and three others say Prof Habib is no racist and he should be reinstated at SOAS
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Johannesburg - Former public protector Thuli Madonsela - and three others - Justice Malala, Palesa Morudu and Barney Pityana, have called for under fire Professor Adam Habib to be reinstated without delay at the University of Londonâs School of Oriental and African Studies.
The former Wits vice-chancellor was suspended three weeks ago from his new job as SOAS director after he used the N-word during a video meeting with students.