Under the proposed law, hate speech would be broadly defined as direct or electronic communication that “advocates hatred,” incites violence or causes contempt or ridicule. The South African Human Rights Commission has said it will also take Ms. Momberg to the Equality Court, a body established in the post-apartheid era to deal with discrimination. Even the most explosive slur would be considered hate speech under the act, but would not automatically be labeled such under the Constitution. “In both societies, those two words resonate virtually the same way.”If the offending South African word was widely used during apartheid, it is now taboo. The attempt fizzled, an indication that South Africa was not ready for the word.

Source: New York Times October 27, 2016 09:00 UTC