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By IOL Reporter 
6h ago
JOHANNESBURG: Former Wits SRC Chairman Mcebo Dlamini apologized to the Jewish community for his 2015 comments in which he spoke enthusiastically about Adolf Hitler during a television interview.
Dlamini, one of the prominent faces and leaders of the #FeesMustFall movement was brought to the Human Rights Commission by the South African Board of Jewish Deputies (SAJBD).
The mediation process took place at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Center.
SAJBD Vice President Zev Krengel said Dlamini apologized, regretted it and acknowledged that his comments had caused harm in the Jewish community.
“This understanding led him to make an unequivocal apology. His acknowledgment that the statements were anti-Semitic, hurtful, and offensive, along with his genuine apology, allows us to heal from the pain he caused.
“It is important for us as a community and as South Africans to identify when genuine remorse is expressed. It is equally important for us to accept a sincere apology of this nature, as it allows us to move on, ”Krengel said.
After apologizing, Dlamini attended an educational engagement at the permanent exhibition at the JHGC.
He said in his apology: “In 2015 I made statements about Jews and Israelis that were not only provocative but also extremely offensive. It was only in hindsight that I began to appreciate how misleading my statements were and to some extent dangerous because they were ignorant of the type of trauma they caused.
“As someone who is interested in politics and how it can be used to promote a better world for all, I should have known better. But consciousness is not something you miraculously arrive at, it is something you travel to.
“My journey has made me understand that I was wrong and that there is no possible excuse for what I said and there is no way to reverse how it affected others. However, what I can do is supplement my apology with actions as a testimony that I am truly sorry, “he said.
Professor Karen Milner, president of SAJBD in Gauteng, said they always tried to have a restorative approach to justice.
“This approach follows a process whereby the offender acknowledges what they have done wrong and expresses genuine regret and regret.
“Dlamini has met these criteria and is a successful example of what is possible with this approach.”
Dlamini also said that he would teach others about the matter and said he did not want to be a leader known for spreading hatred.
“This apology is well thought out and is the result of extensive consultation. I have thought very deeply about the kind of leader I want to be and it is definitely not a leader who spreads hatred and rejoices over the misfortunes of others, ”he said.
Dlamini said that he also wanted to travel to Israel in the future, so that he could understand the culture and traditions of the Israeli people.
“Once I have enough resources, I want to travel to Israel to understand its culture, tradition, belonging and how its present is shaped by its past. I think this will also help me grow as someone interested in world politics.
“I also want to have a guided tour at JHGC followed by a facilitated engagement with one of the facilitators at JHGC. I understand that these acts alone may not be enough and therefore I am open to any other recommendations that may help me demonstrate my penance.
“My act is not mitigated by the fact that I was in a leadership position when I made these statements. I had influence over several people who were possibly convinced by what I had said. I am very sorry to have used the platform I had at the time in such a harmful way. The way I acted was without a doubt an abuse of power, ”he said.
MESS
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