South African woman sparks outrage with racist Facebook post

A boy kicks a soccer ball on South Beach in Durban, South Africa. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)

The Associated Press
Published Monday, January 4, 2016 10:52AM EST

JOHANNESBURG - Many South Africans are reacting furiously to what they describe as the racist remarks of a white woman who criticized black beachgoers in a Facebook posting.

Even political parties are commenting on the case, which has ignited fresh debate about South Africa's legacy of white minority rule. Apartheid ended with all-race elections in 1994.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, said Monday that authorities should prosecute the woman, Penny Sparrow, for "infringing the dignity" of all South Africans and "dehumanizing" blacks. It says it plans to suspend Sparrow's party membership.

Sparrow wrote that some people celebrating the new year at public beaches were making a mess.

"I do know some wonderful thoughtful black people," she wrote. "This lot of monkeys just don't want to even try."

Report Error

MOST WATCHED

Previous Next

*CTV News reserves the right to turn off commenting on some selected news stories, for legal or other reasons.
Please read our guidelines before commenting on stories.