The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), acting on behalf of Mr Dominic Black and others, achieved an important success in the furtherance of its aim of advancing substantive equality and stopping unfair discrimination by bringing an action in the Equality Court, this time against the racist practices of the Broederstroom Vakansie-Oord.
On March 5, 2005, the owners of the holiday resort in the North West province evicted Mr Black and his family because they were accompanied by two black children.
In response to this treatment, Black lodged a complaint with the SAHRC and proceedings were initiated by that Commission in the Equality Court held at Brits Magistrate’s Court in terms of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000.
Before the matter could be heard, the parties agreed to this matter in a manner that was acceptable to Mr black and the SAHRC.
This week the Equality Court made the settlement agreement an order of the court.
According to settlement agreement, the parties have agreed that:
- The resort will make a public apology for the alleged discriminatory conduct that was directed at Mr Black, his family and friends.
- The resort will make payment of R10 000 to Mr Black, who will in turn donate it to the charity of his choice, the Nkosi Johnson AIDS Foundation.
- The resort will change its admission policy immediately and thereafter people of all races will be allowed access.
- The SAHRC will monitor the implementation of the non-discriminatory admission policy.
In their public letter of apology, resort owners Mr and Mrs Pretorius said: “A very unfortunate racial incident caused the dignity of two little children to be tarnished and Mr and Mrs Pretorius hereby accordingly extend their unconditional apologies to the individuals and their family and friends. “The Broederstroom picnic resort will undergo a makeover and policy change, and within about four to five weeks the gates will be opened to the public.”
For more information contact:
SAHRC Chairman Jody Kollapen on 083 265 3611 or
SAHRC Commissioner Leon Wessels on 083 443 9020
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