Quotes

‘We are performing the symbolic act of raising the flag as the British have done so many times to establish colonies. We, however, are reclaiming what has always been our own.’ 

– Mauritian ambassador to the UN Jagdish Koonjul, who last week raised his country’s flag above the contested atoll of Peros Banhos

‘This is the first time Mauritius has led an expedition to this part of its territory. I’m delighted that our Chagossian brothers and sisters are able to travel to their birthplace without any foreign escort. The message I wish to give out to the world, as the state with sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, is that we will ensure a wise stewardship of its territory – over its maritime security, conservation of the marine environment and human rights, notably the return of those of Chagossian origin.’

– A pre-recorded message by the Mauritian Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, was broadcast on a speaker to the Chagossians, Mauritian officials and media assembled on the beach

‘I find Prince Mashele’s attack of President Ramaphosa distasteful, arrogant, unbecoming, uncouth, below par, uncivilised, backward, disrespectful, unwarranted, disdainful and of the lowest common multiplier.’

– Former SA Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, weighing in on political analyst Prince Mashele’s criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mashele compared Ramaphosa to former President Jacob Zuma, saying the latter had more backbone than ‘SA’s weakest President’.

‘A decolonisation project requires violence. Colonialism is violent; it's like racism. And the only way to deal with violence is that you must be violent. Therefore there is nothing wrong in engaging in a revolution. Revolutions themselves are violent. My lord, when the time comes and the conditions on the ground permit that arms must be taken, we will do so without hesitation. Our forefathers did that, and we will not hesitate to take over from where they left off because they did not achieve that which they fought for. But we are prepared like we are doing now to engage in peaceful talks.’

– Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader leader Julius Malema who was giving testimony in the SA civil case brought by AfriForum against him, his party, and EFF Member of Parliament Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, for continuing to sing the song ‘Kill the Boer (farmer)’. The song had been previously ruled to be a form of hate speech.