Sunette Bridges slams racism claims

Johannesburg - Singer Sunette Bridges, daughter of the Afrikaans singer Bles Bridges, has laughed off complaints about allegedly racist comments made on her Facebook profile.

"It's absolutely pathetic that people think it's racist," Bridges said, after Chris du Plessis brought the comments to Beeld's attention.

On Tuesday afternoon Bridges posted a message to Facebook: "Of all the instruments one can use to build STRAIGHT - a spirit level, profiles, measuring tape, fishing line, square - a sjambok is the only one that works for this Greenie of mine!!! EISH!!!!! Sx."

Thirty people indicated that they "liked" this statement.

By Thursday afternoon there were also 17 comments praising Bridges for her words.

"That is, after all, the only language they've understood all these years. 3x hurrahs for you!" said a certain Rene Smit.

Meant humorously

Bridges, who often posts Christian content on her Facebook profile, told Beeld on Thursday afternoon that the comments in question were meant humorously, and that Vincent Ramakwela does construction work "with her" at her house, and that he is "like a child" in her home.

After speaking to Beeld, she said on Facebook: "It must've been too long since I've married or divorced or sued someone, now you're digging where there's nothing to be found! You and the person who contacted you are ridiculous!"

By Thursday afternoon, Bridges had 2 614 friends on the social network, and her profile allows anyone, even people who are not her Facebook friends, to view her profile.

Like sitting around a braai

She also said she doesn't worry about how people could possibly interpret the comments on her Facebook page.

"The only time you should worry is when you say something with malice," Bridges said.

"I have fun with my people on the forum (Facebook). It's like sitting around a braai," she said.

"If people read my Facebook every day, they might just acquire a sense of humour."

Ramakwela, 23, who has been working for Bridges for a year, said he doesn't mind that Bridges calls him a "greenie".

First you bliksem, then you talk

A similar message on Wednesday evoked a comment from a certain Generaal Gustav Grobler: "Then why didn't you moer him? First you bliksem, then you talk."

The same person also referred to himself as "far-right", to which Bridges answered: "Baas, any further right than me and you'll fall off the Earth just East of China! Lol Sx."

Bridges says she wasn't being serious when she made this comment. "Show me something that is serious on that forum (Facebook)."

Facebook's terms and conditions state that content placed on the social network may not be hateful, threatening or discriminatory.