Open chats is a podcast that recently came under fire after making derogatory comments about the Coloured community. The episode went viral, and backlash poured in not only from the public but also from government officials
Clips of the episode circulated on social media, where people expressed outrage at racist remarks that targeted Coloured people. The hosts claimed that “all Coloureds are incestuous and crazy.” The response from the public was overwhelming, with an uproar on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook. Comedian Marc Lottering addressing the comments in a sarcastic Instagram post:
“As someone who is mentally slow and who sleeps with his cousins, I’ve actually done rather well for myself. And nogal without hosting a podcast. Shem.”
Others did not respond as sarcastically to the racist remarks.PA leader and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, openly condemned the podcast and has taken legal action against the podcast hosts. The PA filed criminal charges while the DA reported the podcast to the Human Rights Commission.
This incident highlights the lack of regulation for content creators in South Africa. Some platforms have responded, for example, DSTV, who chose not to renew its contract with the podcast. But it raises the question, how was this allowed to air?
The podcast has since released an apology to the public:
“We acknowledge the hurt caused by the clip that continues to circulate online and communicate our genuine regret for that. The intention was never to cause harm or disrespect the Coloured community.”
The government, legal bodies, and the public have all weighed in, showing just how powerful words can be. In a country where the wounds of the past are still healing, racist statements on a public platform cannot be ignored or allowed. Online content creators should be held to a high standard as they are the future of entertainment.
Some questions remain:
Should South Africa’s online content be regulated more?
Should governmental parties take action against entertainment services?
Can anyone be allowed to be an online content creator?
