Presidency pledges support for Manyi

Johannesburg - Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Collins Chabane pledged his support to Jimmy Manyi on Tuesday as calls mounted for the beleaguered government spokesperson's head.

Chabane said he had noted "repeated calls" in the media calling for Manyi to be fired for making racist remarks about coloureds and Indians.

"Mr Jimmy Manyi remains the cabinet spokesperson and the chief executive officer of GCIS (the Government Communication and Information System), and continues to execute his responsibilities," Chabane said.

This followed statements he made last year which had implications on the country's race relations. Manyi has since apologised for his statements, and for the offence they have caused.

Chabane said Manyi, in executing his duties, had a responsibility to represent the views and decisions of the government and not those of his own.

"The minister further expresses confidence in the ability of Mr Manyi to execute his duties.

"He will continue to receive the support of the ministry and should be given an opportunity to prove himself in his new role," Chabane said.

In a television interview last year, which was posted on YouTube by trade union Solidarity, Manyi said there was an "oversupply" of coloured people in the Western Cape. He was reported to have made comments about Indians in KwaZulu-Natal.

Manyi's comments have split the ANC. Last week National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel wrote an open letter to Manyi, calling him a "worst-order racist". ANC ally, the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu), along with opposition parties and other trade unions have called for him to be fired.

But earlier on Tuesday ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe's came to Manyi's defence, blaming the controversies surrounding the ANC on "racial prejudice" and "hatred for change", while giving tongue-lashings to Manuel and Samwu.

Democratic Alliance MP Wilmot James said Mantashe's remarks were a "significant moment" for the ANC "post-Polokwane".

"Gwede Mantashe today and for the second time came out in defence of Jimmy Manyi, saying in his view those who called for Manyi's head demonstrated a 'hatred for change'," James said.