Racism is the enemy of nation building. It is not the only enemy but, given our history, it is an egregious one. It divides rather than unites; reproduces hierarchies of power, status and social honour; dehumanises and defiles one section of a people and elevates the other. It is one of modern history’s most regressive phenomena.

What is racism? It is the belief that a person’s skin colour and other physical features matter or are relevant to personal and public conduct. It is a belief that can animate the manner in which people are treated, ranging from simple prejudice and bigotry to discrimination and racial genocide.