In a joint statement issued by Khoza and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), he said he had changed his view about the acceptability of the word after learning about the “Free State University racist video” on the news.
The video depicts the mock initiation of five black, predominantly female, cleaning staff members by four white residents of the male hostel Reitz Kamerwonings.
The SAHRC earlier demanded an apology from Khoza for using the k-word.
Jody Kollapen, chairperson of the SAHRC, read out the joint statement on Wednesday (5 March) following the SAHRC’s seminar in Johannesburg on exclusive organisations.
In it, Khoza said: “Whereas it was never my intention to use the k-word to demean or impair anyone’s dignity – but to shock a brother to his senses – the revelation of the racist video in Bloemfontein has led me to view my use of the k-word in a different light.”
He said he did “not want to present… those whose intention it is to perpetuate racism the convenience of quoting me when they do so”.
According to Kollapen the SAHRC accepted Khoza’s apology and regarded the matter as closed.
The commission previously said it would consider taking the matter to the Equality Court if Khoza refused to apologise.
