Renaldo Gouws: ‘What evidence is there that Dricus is racist?’
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Former Democratic Alliance MP Renaldo Gouws has been criticised after he accused South Africans of mistreating white athletes like Dricus du Plessis. This comes after social media users “celebrated” the UFC’s Middleweight World Champion title loss over the weekend.
RENALDO GOUWS: ‘WHY ARE WHITE ATHLETES TREATED LIKE THIS?’
In a controversial tweet, Renaldo Gouws accused non-white South Africans of discriminating against “white athletes”. The former DA MP – who was sacked from the party over an old video of him using the K-word – used UFC fighter Dricus du Plessis to back his claims.
He posted: “On Sunday, social media went into overdrive to celebrate the loss of one of our own. I have never seen so many South Africans celebrating a country losing a championship belt.
“Why are white athletes treated like this in South Africa?”
In a video posted on YouTube, Renaldo called out X users who labelled Dricus as a “racist”.
“What evidence is there that Dricus is racist. From his first fight, Dricus has stood up for all South Africans. He proudly waves the flag.
“For some reason, some black South Africans are obsessed with the notion that this guy is a racist because they just like that he is an MMA fighter, that is a champion in the UFC.
“Dricus has not said anything remotely racist in his life. But people are jumping on the bandwagon because he has a white skin, and because they have fallen for fake news about Dricus supporting white genocide.
“Even if Dricus was of the belief that a white genocide is taking place in South Africa, how is that racist?
On Sunday, social media went into overdrive to celebrate the loss of one of our own. I have never seen so many South Africans celebrating a country losing a championship belt. Why are white athletes treated like this in South Africa?
BACKLASH: ‘SOUTH AFRICANS HAVE ISSUES WITH THOSE WHO SPREAD PROPAGANDA’
Under Renaldo Gouws’s tweet, many social media users responded to his line of questioning about why Dricus has been criticised over his controversial views.
Podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa explained: “South Africans love white athletes, passionately so. But they have issues with people who spread hurtful propaganda.
“Would you treat black athletes badly in South Africa if you had an issue with Siya Kolisi chanting Kill the Boer? Or would I be lying to blanket-paint you with such falseness to push a narrative?!
“Do better. Isolate the issue and don’t lie about South Africans and try to ignite racism that isn’t there.”
Mark Fish. Francois Pienaar. PSDT. Chad le Clos. Neil Tovey. Rassie Erasmus. John Smit. Handré Pollard. Morné Steyn. Faf de Klerk.
There are hundreds more.
South Africans love White athletes… passionately so.
But they have issues with ppl who spread hurtful propaganda.…
Political commentator Keshan Naidoo posted: “I supported him, but I think we need to be fair regarding those who don’t. It’s more about politics than him being white. I’ve never seen such seen such a reaction to any other white athlete.
Radio presenter Maxwell Modiba added: “White athletes are embraced in this country, in the main by black people and various political parties. There is a problem with Dricus in particular. Why are you not addressing WHY black people have a problem with him?”
WHAT DID DRICUS SAY THAT UPSET SOME SOUTH AFRICANS?
On X, many South Africans have accused Dricus du Plessis of being a “racist” after he publicly praised US President Donald Trump, who has accused South Africa of promoting a “white genocide” and “racially discriminating” against white people.
Earlier this year, the 31-year-old said of the controversial president: “He is amazing, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting him.
“He said good changes are coming. He’s holding many people and countries accountable for everything, and it’s amazing to see”.
Wearing a slogan T-shirt that said: “Trump Prefers Champions”, Dricus also posted: “Make RSA Great Again”, referring to the president’s catchphrase.
Dricus du Plessis is unfazed by criticism over Donald Trump support.
Images via Instagram: @dricusduplessis
Dricus also gave a “big shout out to fellow South African Elon Musk for also doing the right thing.” The Pretoria-born billionaire has condemned SA for its “racist laws” after his internet satellite service Starlink was subjected to transformative legislation.
Like Trump and Musk, Dricus has often spoken out about his concerns for white South Africans, particularly farmer murders.
At his UFC debut in 2020, he told the media of his home country, “It’s unbelievable, people are being murdered daily. Because it’s Africa, a lot of the world doesn’t see it. Nobody knows what is going on…I want the world to see what is happening in South Africa.”
Dricus also infamously criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Speaking to US interviewer Nina Drama ahead of his UFC title fight last year, the Pretoria MMA fighter accused the government of “screwing up” the country.
He said, “It’s the worst government in the world by a long shot. We are truly and exceptionally s**t…it’s the most corrupt in the world.”
Of President Cyril Ramaphosa, he added: “He takes all the money.”
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON DRICUS DU PLESSIS’S COMMENTS ABOUT SA?
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