Today, I come before you and in turn all my fellow South Africans to apologise for my deeply offensive and hurtful language.

I am acutely aware that we are 25 years into our democracy. I was a young man when Apartheid ended but I was old enough to have witnessed its devastating impact. I cannot claim ignorance of our history nor of the damaging connotations of this word; I know how bad things were and I know that even after all this time, the wounds are still raw.

I am deeply regretful that our country is still having to listen to apologies for this appalling language in 2019. We shouldn’t still be in this position and I realise that I am one of the people that has put us here; for this I am incredibly sorry.

I realise that my actions do no justice to our Constitution or our values as South Africans, and do not assist in the project of reconciliation.

Today I pledge that whether in my own home, or in public, I will remain vigilant in abolishing all words or actions that do damage or reopen wounds of the past. We cannot have two faces in South Africa, our behaviour and respect for others must be constant and must be consistent.   

In the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, I respect the way that this issue was dealt with before the Commission and I am truly sorry and remorseful for what happened. I believe that it is not the penalty or the amount which should be judged but the fact that I am truly remorseful for what was said and I wish to repeat my apology not only to the people themselves but to all South African people as whole. I hope that I can set an example to others that in this new dawn for South Africa such language will not be tolerated and that everyone should in fact strive to be decent and caring to their fellow South Africans.

The South African Human Rights Commission has chosen the Barney Mokgatle Foundation in Alexandra as the recipient of my R200 000 fine, which I pay gladly.

Mr Mokgatle was part of the youth uprising in 1976 which sought to fight and overcome inequality and oppression caused by Apartheid. With his permission, I would also very much like to visit his foundation and learn more from him.

To all my fellow South African’s I apologise once again for all the hurt caused and for separating us further through my actions. To all the media present, thank you for your time today.