Open Chats racist podcast: Marc Lottering, coloured community hit back

The recent racist comments made on the popular "Open Chats Podcast" have ignited widespread outrage, prompting a strong and heartfelt response from members of the Coloured community and public figures alike. 

The remarks, which perpetuated harmful stereotypes and offensive generalisations about Coloured people, sparked a backlash that continues to reverberate across social media and beyond. 

Among the most notable responses came from well-known comedian Marc Lottering, who took to social media to address the hurtful statements with his trademark wit and sharp critique.

Lottering posted, “As someone who is mentally slow and who sleeps with his cousins, I’ve actually done rather well for myself. And nogal without hosting a podcast. Shem.” 

His sarcastic remark highlighted the absurdity of the stereotypes being perpetuated and the ignorance behind such comments. 

On X, James Brown wrote: “Every day, Coloured people have to fight stereotypes and to be seen as somebody in this country being a minority. We literally don’t bother anyone, but people keep provoking us.”

“I’m happy for Open Chats to be made an example of, and it should not just be left as an apology!” 

Brown’s words echoed the sentiment that apologies alone are insufficient in addressing the deep-seated prejudices that persist against the community. 

Many other voices from the Coloured community also spoke out. Sue shared a powerful statement: “I am a proudly South African Coloured woman. Rooted in resilience, rich in heritage and unshakable in spirit. I carry generations of strength, culture and beauty in my blood."

"My voice matters. My story matters. I am not a stereotype - I am a force. I rise, I thrive and I shine - with pride in who I am and where I come from. Coloured. Woman. South African. Powerful.” 

Colleen Muller added her voice to the discourse, stating: “Too long, Coloureds are being looked down on. I had to hear from a black person that we are products of rape. I stand with you; we are all equal and the land belongs to everyone.” 

Bernadette, another proud member of the community, wrote: “I am proudly Coloured. We are diverse and rich in culture. And sorry to say, they said what they wanted to say. Apology won’t help; they need to be held accountable.” 

On TikTok, Dr Ash, a medical professional and mentor, brought a powerful sense of pride and purpose to the conversation. He posted a captioned video under the words: “Proudly Coloured. BSc. Honours. Masters Medical. Diploma in HIV Management. Trained hundreds of junior medical students and junior doctors. Can I have a podcast interview please.”

In the caption, he wrote: “I’ve never been more proud to be a Coloured. I hope and pray that I have paved a way for youth to realise their life’s potential.”

Singer Honeshma Margarido also publicly addressed the controversy. Taking to social media, she issued a heartfelt apology for her own comments made during a guest appearance on the "Open Chats Podcast".

Margarido acknowledged that she had made an offensive generalisation about Coloured men she had dated, labelling them as “crazy mentally.” She expressed deep regret, saying: 

"During my guest appearance on Open Chats Podcast, I made an offensive and harmful generalisation by saying that the Coloured men I dated were ‘crazy mentally’ and I deeply regret that statement.” 

She went on to say, “I now understand that what I said was ignorant, irresponsible and damaging. It was a stereotype rooted in personal experience that I should never have projected onto an entire community. I take full accountability for my words and the hurt they caused.”

Margarido closed by acknowledging the importance of growth and accountability: “I am truly sorry. This has been a hard but necessary lesson. I have listened, reflected and committed to doing better."

"No one deserved to be painted with one brush or reduced to harmful assumptions. To everyone who spoke up and held me accountable, thank you. Your voices are valid. I hear you and I will grow from this.”

In response to the uproar, the "Open Chats Podcast" also issued a public apology through their social media channels.

The team expressed regret over the clip that has been widely circulated online and made it clear that the intention was never to cause harm or disrespect to the Coloured community.

“We acknowledge the hurt caused by the clip that continues to circulate online and communicate our genuine regret for that. The intention was never to cause harm or disrespect the Coloured community."

"Open Chats is a platform centred on open conversations, which at times touch on sensitive topics. We should conduct our conversations respectfully,” the statement read. 

The podcast team further confirmed that the offending clip has been removed from the episode and promised that follow-up discussions addressing the matter will be featured in an upcoming episode.

They thanked those who reached out to hold them accountable and pledged to learn from the incident. 

Despite these apologies, social media remains fervently critical, with many users and community members demanding that the podcast be taken down entirely.

The controversy took a legal turn when the Patriotic Alliance (PA) filed criminal charges against Open Chats Podcast hosts Mthokozisi Methula and Sinothando Kama. 

Liam Jacobs, spokesperson for the PA, was seen in a video posted on social media entering the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria on Wednesday, August 6, to formally open the case.

The PA’s legal team has also sent a formal letter to the podcast hosts, stating that their brief apology and removal of the clip are both legally and morally insufficient.

The party is demanding more decisive action and has plans to lodge a formal complaint with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), urging a review of its broadcast contract with the podcast.

Additionally, the PA intends to pursue proceedings in the Equality Court for unlawful discrimination and has vowed to submit a complaint to YouTube, requesting the immediate removal of the offending podcast episode from the platform.

PA leader Gayton McKenzie also took to social media to condemn the remarks in no uncertain terms.

He emphasised that their goal is not to destroy the podcast hosts personally but to prevent the perpetuation of harmful narratives that damage the perception of Coloured people as a whole. 

“It has become too easy to insult Coloured people in this country. It has become too easy to have something to say about Coloured people. People will say things about Coloured people and it’s pure racism,” McKenzie stated.

He firmly declared, “Enough is enough,” announcing plans for mass protests involving thousands of supporters to march to the offices of the podcast’s production as well as to the broadcasters airing the show.

The PA will also escalate the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to seek justice and ensure accountability.

This controversy highlights the deep fractures in South Africa’s ongoing struggle with race, identity and respect for all communities.

It serves as a reminder that words carry power - and those who wield platforms must do so with responsibility and sensitivity.