According to Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, racist activities are detrimental to the South African tourism industry.
In December, a video surfaced on social media showing two young black boys being beaten and abused by a group of white people in a swimming pool at the Maselspoort Resort, close outside Bloemfontein, on Christmas Day.
Following their arrest, Kobus Klaassen, Johan Nel, and Jan van der Westhuizen were charged with crimen injuria and simple assault.
Klaassen is now charged with attempted murder after one of the youngsters was seen being held underwater by Klaassen.
“This has tarnished tourism in the country.”
“No racial group should take advantage of the industry to discriminate and act violently against any other racial group in indulging in any niceties presented by this industry,” Sisulu said.
The Minister pointed out that the resort has not yet denounced the assault and emphasised that the tourism sector requires more restructuring.
“It is an industry that must be deracialised including its ownership.
“Tourism provides us an immediate communication platform to sell to the world the beautiful nation we are and our commitment to become a prosperous destination full of offerings for the visitors,” she said.
Sisulu recently visited the family of the assaulted boys and conveyed the government’s disapproval of the attack.
“I am sorry that during our leadership your family experienced such discrimination. We apologise that we as government couldn’t protect you from such people,” Sisulu said.
»Tourism Minister says racism is a cancer on South African tourism«