Zwai Bala falls victim to racism in Gordon’s Bay

by Sergio Miller

Prominent musician and member of the singing group TKZee, Zwai Bala has expressed deep disgust at the racial treatment he received while enjoying a good day out in Gordon’s Bay close to Cape Town.

In a TikTok video currently circulating on the internet, the eldest brother to Loyiso and Phelo says that he and his brother Lwando along with some close friends were enjoying a day out at Habour Island in Gordons Bay, when suddenly a group of white people made some racist remarks at them – in the process going as far as to call them the K-word.

“I was sitting at the pier trying to take pictures of the scenery. I heard people talking from the balcony that I was sitting under. I heard racial slurs then I looked up and a female voice said there’s a K****r looking at us. That’s when a male voice said I feel like beating a K****r today.”

Zwai explained that they finished their dinner, he then went outside take pictures of the beautiful scenes, when he noticed that his brother Lwando was missing.

“I asked where Lwando was and then he came back and said he was being harassed and attacked by racists. He said they took his Masai blanket,” he explained.

“Soon after that, white men followed him, and a shorter one came and he was furious and accused Lwando of filming them. I asked why they attacked him for filming,” Zwai said.

He added that it was in trying to get to the route of the problem, that things escalated into both verbal and physical abuse, while demanding for Lwando to hand over his phone. This led to the point where the owner of the establishment had no alternative but to ask Zwai and his friends to exit through the back door.

Zwai believes that the owner and attacker are close friends.

Meanwhile, Eyewitness News has confirmed that a man was charged with intimidation and assault and is scheduled to make an appearance on the 7 February, at the Strand Magistrates Court.

Also see: The Balas put their musical abilities on display