Bitch brings out 'racist bitches'

A WHITE 'bitch's' concern for the well-being of a wiener bitch she believed belonged to a white person but was in the hands of a black man, has resulted in a flare-up of racism via social media.

There was also a phone call from an alleged black 'bitch' who threatened to report the white 'bitch' to the police. It sounds crazy in a democratic nation which boasts a reasonably robust record of freedom of speech, but it is true. It is nasty, and comes down to Namibians, regardless of skin complexion, having to be careful of what they say – for the sake of peace and reconciliation. On Monday evening, a white Swakopmund woman, Dolly Potgieter, saw a black man (or more particularly, a bearded Rastaman wearing a beanie or turban) walking a 'dachshund' that is also known as a wiener dog or sausage dog. Potgieter is part of a dachshund group on social media, and out of concern for the well-being of the dog, she posted (in Afrikaans) on social networking site Facebook: “I found a black man at [business name] with a sausage dog bitch (female dog). I can see it is a white person's dog. If anyone is missing a sausage dog, call me [with her number].” That was probably one of the worst things she has ever done in an independent Namibia, as she realised too late. Indeed, she received calls but not from a white person missing a dog, but from angry black people, swearing at her and calling her much worse derogatory names. The callers also accused her of being a racist, and asking her how in the world she knows whether a dog is owned by a white or black person. Potgieter admitted that it was a question she could not answer. “I was wrong. I did not mean to hurt or offend anyone. I am very sorry for what I said. It was not the right thing to say,” Potgieter told The Namibian yesterday when contacted. She stated that she eventually had to switch her phone off because of the calls – and not even one from anyone missing a dachshund. Some people then posted selfies on her Facebook page to show their healthy, happy groomed dogs. All that she could say was: “Your dog is well cared for.” Potgieter said she apologised on social media, but admits that it may have gone too far, especially after a woman called her and recorded the conversation which she posted on social media. “You said it was a black man who had the dog? Are you sure it is not his?” the person asked – a fair question. “How do you know that it was a white person's dog? What do white people's dogs look like?” the conversation continued. Potgieter admitted that she did not know what to say, but that the dog was very well-groomed and had a nice collar. The caller made the simple remark: “Oh, so black people do not know how to look after their dogs properly?” When Potgieter asked what the name of the caller's alleged lost dog was, the caller said it was 'Daisy': “She is a bitch, like you.” Potgieter did not realise what the caller just called her, and carried on with the conversation until the caller dropped the bomb. “Maybe it is the wrong dog, but thank you. I saw your post, and I want to thank you for showing us what an idiot you are. We don't need people like you in Namibia because black people can look after dogs as well. “You are a racist, and we don't need people like you in this country, and I am going to report you because what you put on Facebook is illegal, and you are racist and a bitch, just like that dog. Goodbye.” Potgieter responded via an SMS, stating: “You call me bitch. You are the biggest one. My husband is a brown man. How can I be a racist if I am married to a brown man?” she asked. Potgieter claimed that she was dachshund-crazy and loves dogs, and that she had a bad experience a few years ago when her dogs on a farm near Tsumeb started disappearing – and being eaten. “When we started looking for them, we would find their little paws cut off. They were stolen and eaten. My intentions were just to make sure the dog was okay. I know I made a mistake. It was not my intention,” she added.