DA MP Renaldo Gouws Apologizes for Controversial Video as Petition for His Ouster Gains Momentum
Image source: Renaldo Gouws is all smiles on his Facebook page, but a petition calling for Parliament to act against the newly elected DA parliamentarian is gaining ground. Picture: Facebook
Published by Everything ZA News
Cape Town, South Africa – Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament Renaldo Gouws has issued a public apology for a controversial video he posted 15 years ago, as a growing number of people sign a petition calling for his removal from Parliament. The former Nelson Mandela Bay councillor, who recently became an MP, is facing backlash after the resurfacing of a video from 2009 in which he made inflammatory comments about “reverse apartheid.”
In the video, Gouws implied that while white people are often painted as the enemy, “if Africa had to disappear off the face of the earth, no-one would f***** notice.” This statement has sparked outrage on social media, leading to the creation of a petition on Change.org by Kimberly Jones, which has amassed over 40,000 signatures as of Tuesday morning. The petition labels Gouws as a racist and demands his resignation from Parliament.
video via X
Responding to the backlash, Gouws acknowledged the video and its offensive content. “A snippet of a video I posted 16 years ago [in 2009] when I was young and still a student has been recycled and posted on social media over the past few days. I addressed this snippet in 2016 and again in 2020 when approached by media,” Gouws explained. He contextualized the video by recalling the political climate at the time, noting that it was during an era when then-president Jacob Zuma and ANC youth leader Julius Malema were singing controversial songs like “Dubul’ ibhunu” (Shoot the Boer).
While Gouws expressed regret over the tone of his remarks, he firmly rejected accusations of racism. “I posted a lengthy Facebook post from 2013 in which I apologized for how I delivered my message in my videos—angry, hostile, confrontational, and crass. I reject any claims of racism or being a racist. I can, however, see how my message was distorted in the way it was delivered by me and I take full responsibility for the actions of my younger and immature self. For that, I apologize unreservedly,” Gouws stated.
Gouws is no stranger to controversy. His YouTube videos, which often address racial issues and challenges facing South Africa, frequently go viral and attract significant debate. Despite the recurring controversies, Gouws remains a vocal figure within the DA and continues to generate strong reactions from both supporters and critics.
The petition against Gouws highlights the ongoing sensitivity and division surrounding race relations in South Africa. As the petition’s support grows, it remains to be seen how the DA and Gouws will navigate this controversy and address the calls for his ouster.
About The Author
