Protests at several campuses, including vocational and further education colleges, in the wake of the #Rhodes must fall<\/a> movement have become increasingly violent. They are indicative of the discontent with the slow pace of change, referred to as transformation<\/a> in the country. This means much more than a change of policies and speaks to deep transformation relating to apartheid history. It involves confronting South Africa\u2019s colonial, racist past to redress the issues which still cause humiliation in institutions today.<\/p>\n This discontent relates to student access to higher education, student fees, accommodation, language policies and the curriculum which are all seen as exclusionary and part of the apartheid legacy.<\/p>\n The right to freedom of expression will be severely tested on campuses as offensive speech shades into hate speech and inflames violence. Institutions must endeavour to create forums and avenues for vigorous and even more, not less, contentious debate. This may indeed bring extreme discomfort and polarise many. And of course universities will have to have policies in place for when offensive speech morphs into hate speech and incites violence.<\/p>\n Interesting research<\/a> into the role of higher education institutions in preventing extremism suggests that there should not be excessive curbs on extremist speech.<\/p>\n Rather, it proposes, institutions should provide multiple platforms and diverse spaces for all views so that they can be challenged openly and publicly. The research also reveals that opportunities for students from various cultures to mix and debate is a deterrent to singular, narrow views.<\/p>\n If there are already policies in place against hate speech and incitement to violence, tighter controls and stricter measures tend to drive political dissent underground<\/a> and have the potential to make it more explosive.<\/p>\n The South African constitution, one of the most progressive in the world, guarantees the right to express oneself freely<\/a>.<\/p>\n But this freedom does not only extend to expressions we find comfortable or favourable, but to also those that shock, disturb and offend<\/a>. The question then becomes: when does offensive speech shade into hate speech?<\/p>\n The constitution states that the right to freedom of expression does not extend to advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, or that constitutes \u201cincitement to cause harm\u201d.<\/p>\n Hate speech is seen as a growing issue in South Africa and is under intense scrutiny. The country\u2019s Human Rights Commission<\/a> noted in February that there has been a spike<\/a> in hate speech cases.<\/p>\n As our democracy becomes more robust, South Africans are going to encounter more controversy, contestation and conflict – not less. People, especially those on social media<\/a>, will have to brace themselves to handle communication that is increasingly disturbing and offensive.<\/p>\n A number of examples of offensive speech stand out.<\/p>\n Hate speech takes on a whole new meaning in fragile, volatile democracies like South Africa. Here, protests, strikes and disputes rapidly escalate<\/a> into extreme violence, and even death.<\/p>\n The history of humanity is replete with narratives illustrating the role of political hate rhetoric in ethnocentrism, and even genocide. Glaring examples are the Holocaust<\/a> and the 1994 genocide<\/a> in Rwanda. Hate speech is often the precursor to the scapegoating, dehumanising and demonising of outgroups, especially minorities, and the escalation of violent attacks.<\/p>\n South African politicians are no different from politicians all over the world who use inflammatory speech to mobilise group solidarity in order to derogate outgroups. Donald Trump<\/a>, the Republican running in the US presidential race, is the master of offensive, degrading speech.<\/p>\n Trump, too, has garnered popular support but this is where the comparison ends. South Africa, unlike the US, is still licking its wounds from a traumatic past. And it is still grappling with democracy. Politicians have a duty to exercise more caution.<\/p>\n Offensive speech, whether it is declared hate speech or not, has tremendous power. It generates complex human emotions which often have deep-rooted and traumatic significance in post-apartheid South Africa. These emotions<\/a> can stir motives for revenge.<\/p>\n Institutions of higher learning need to find innovative ways and create multiple forums to stimulate critical debate and dialogue as part of constructive conflict engagement. This, after all, is their purpose, to develop global citizens and critical thinkers who champion human rights and defend democratic principles.<\/p>\n By Lyn Snodgrass: Associate Professor and Head of Department: Political and Conflict Studies , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University<\/em><\/p>\n How to embrace technology without dooming humanity to destruction<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Why \u201csleeping on it\u201d is the best way to solve a problem<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nFreedom of speech versus incitement<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nThe challenge is where to draw the line<\/h3>\n
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Why there is a need to tread carefully<\/h3>\n
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