By now most of us have heard about Chumani Maxwele and his inability to keep that middle finger down. He was arrested and allegedly held for 24 hours because of swearing and making “rude” gestures at the presidential cavalcade last week.
Basically he’s been arrested for something that many people want to do, talk about doing and actually do do when they get the chance driving through Newlands at night. Even the opposition is doing it, and they’re being suspended too. The comments from the opposition parties are that it smarts of a police state. It makes South Africa a place where you can’t express yourself without fear of arrest.
Indeed it is! How ridiculous that you can’t be angry at your president for his failure to deliver the goods that he promised when he was inducted. I’m angry. Many of us are angry and would probably like the chance to tell Zuma how he’s let us down.
I feel like it would take a lot of holding back on my part to keep calm if I were to talk with him. Would I be swearing though? Or flipping him the bird Top Gun style? In private and in my head, probably, but in person probably not.
The thing is that I don’t want that “probably not” to be because I’m afraid of being arrested, having a bag put over my head and dropped on some lawn in the presidential estate. I want it to be because of respect for the president and for myself.
Unfortunately, it’s really hard to respect someone who hasn’t earned it, which is why I don’t think I’m ready to meet with him just yet.
I add my middle finger to Maxwele’s!! Both hands in fact.
Personally I would jump at the opportunity to flip finger at any blue light bully brigade, regardless of who is the fatcat-in-transit.
Let’s just say that I feel very, very lucky. Having done pretty much the same thing myself at someone else on that very afternoon (i.e. used that merry F word and indeed flipped the rude finger) I can only count myself lucky that the presidential convoy was not passing by at that very moment. These atrocities I committed were aimed indirectly at generic council officials not in fact present (one usage of the word ‘f***ing’) and a vacillating motorist in a large black SUV who was deliberately gridlocking already messed-up traffic (one usage of half-cocked middle finger salute).
At about half an hour before that cavalcade was due to pass, I can only say that I feel extraordinarily lucky. Yet why should this be so? Admitted, the second offence was perhaps a little stupid in this day and age of SUV road rage as standard but I hardly expected to be bundled into an unmarked black van and interrogated for it. Amazing presumption of these operatives to assume that every word, every gesture is aimed at one man. Do they think that he’s even less popular than our esteemed media make out that he is? Incredibly insane.
The charges look flimsy at best and I wish Mr Maxwele all the best with his defence and hope he bounces back like many politicians don’t.
Heavens forbid it – we are now no longer able to swear in public? I must communicate this immediately to my offspring.
why? because he had concensual sex with many women? His incentive to do so is easy – sex in response to testosterone levels. The womens’ like the Tiger Woods fiasco is also easy – money in response to endless greed for shiny things …. gained in exchange through flirt display of their sexual POWER…
Second or third that! Blue light convoys are rude, arrogant and unnecessary if we are a true democracy.
Well said!
anybody seeing a blue light on the R21 between Pretoria and the airport will give a middle finger. The good news: no one will jog along this road unless being suicidal.
Forget Maxwele’s silver hammer coming down on his head. Maxwele’s stiff little finger is far more dangerous.
Viva! Maxwele! Viva!
Will Paddy and Belle be arrested?
Mugabe was given the red card. We should be a little more creative.
To Zuma and his Gestapo I say – nnInn
When will the fat cats of this country realise that they are servants in the employ of the people (yes, WE do pay YOUR salary!!)? Come on! You are NOT royalty, and this is NOT the Dark Ages where your head will be lopped off for being disrespectful to the king!
2x Middle Fingas + Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
I suggest a national campaign of zapping police, politicians and municipal staff until they start delivering… mlm to you all. Maxwele for president!
I believe it’s good that the police acted as they did, because we are a nation nourished with morals and respect. The youth must feel free to express themselves but within certain guidelines instilled by our societies and parents. All adults (including Zuma) should be shown respect and for a child to swear at his elders can not be accepted. How would Chumane feel if one of his friends did that to his own father; it’s really totally unacceptable behaviour from this young man!
Zuma will get many middle fingers henceforth!He deserves no less.
I can only agree with Belle
And you ask – are Zimbabweans stupid or what how could they allow Zim to die.
This is how they did it. Freedoms (even of expression) start to go then you also go.
Welcome to Zimbabwe in case you had not noticed that you are about to arrive.
Well, thank goodness the president is not a woman else you’ld be calling for Chumani’s head.
be afraid, be very afraid, that is where we are headed if someone don’t do something drastic soon.
Presidents need to earn our respect, obviously. The position does not mean that by default the individual is entitled to respect, but rather it means they have to work many times harder to earn it.
Dissent is good thing but stupidity is intolerable.
@ Rod of Sydney, what are you talking about? You are completely incoherent.
Will someone please offer JZ some personal PR tuition? How about you, Jennifer? First, do explain that he’s now in training for next year’s SON speech. It would be best if he didn’t let any baby news hit the press just a week or two before it. Second, if he’s going to leave all the hard work to Pravin, perhaps he should swap salaries with the man. Third, could he keep his police and security thugs away from ordinary citizens who have constitutional rights. Do hope Maxwele’s going to use his. I could go on, but who couldn’t?
People must learn to respect in this country. Like the say in America, the President is an institution and not a person. In no civilise world would one pull the zap sign at the president and expect to go scott free.
You guys must stop living in dream lands. When President Bush visited SA roads were closed and snippers every where! Why would you accept that a parliamentarian can’t swear in the house but yet one can do so at the highest institution of the land?
Helen Zille, please! SA is nothing like Zim or any other African country because that idiot who insulted our president was actually telling his story 24 hours later! Go figure…
There are liberties in this country but lets not be abusive. And for those idiots who think the can block motorcades on the freeway, be warned that you can actually be taken off with one of their vehicles (Defensive driving 101). Those VIP Protection Units are actually working and will use all necessary force to protect their principals. Get it?
The anti-Zuma campaign continues. One minute he is the immoral one and everyone suddenly becomes a morality expect. The next minute, pulling a zap is justified. Hypocrisy is an anti-growth hormone
Although I believe it is your constitutional right to flip anyone you so wish the bird… Why all the Zuma hate… He´s generally made a lot of positive improvements in challenging times… I don´t care what he does in his personal life – his policies on HIV, job creation and crime have been a very positive move forward for the country and a breath of fresh air after Mbeki…Surely?
People have been shot for daring to drive past Mugabe’s residence at night, so I guess we should count our blessings.
Maubane – respect is earned. I don’t respect someone just for the fact that they are my elder.. Zuma has done very little to garner respect, in fact it seems like he’s hell-bent on losing all of it.
Zuma gets my middle finger because he has no respect for the people he governs yet he expects respect in return.
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I still cannot believe the story. I can just see them on Mr. Maxwele like the US FBI/CIA!!!
I think that they need action, i suggest that they go and apply for positions with the FBI/CIA.
I’m up for the campaign, mlm!!!
@Steve I was relieved that Mbeki was forced to step down and against Zuma despite him having been elected by 2,000 cadres theooretically in his employ at Polokwane. He has himself not lead by example because he ncouraes those who support him to threaten others with death but is scared of a middle finger. He is beginning to realise that a kitchen can be a hot place even if that is where all the good stuff is and you might be hit by a a spoon or a b great pot. In a democracy you are allowed freedom of expression. We do not live in a democracy we live in what African people view as a democracy. People in other countries have thrown shoes which actually hit the politician and allowed to walk free, admittedly after being held.Much worse offence. How are we expected to express our dipleasure when our elected officials are sent out of parliament and letters, phone calls to his direct line and petitions do not get any respect. This is how it started in Zimbabwe. RESPECT has to be earned and thus far he hasn’t done so. Being good at making babies isn’t something you should earn respect for particularly when the mother is not your wife yet.ANC dissenters and critics are being softened up for massacre and death if they view this as an isolated incident. Forget Zimbabwe. SA is as far south as it gets.
Which head Kanthan?Ooops sorry, I might get arrested!
On what grounds were they holding him though, we live in a supposed police state where not even the police know the law. Freedom of expression is probably one of the most important of our constitutional rights and when incidences like this happen it becomes a slippery slope. I have to agree that I wouldn’t have done the same given the opportunity, we need to respect the office of president even if the guy in it is complete douche!!!!!
I completely agree with this article. To my mind there’s a distinct difference between what I would do and what I believe is should have the right to do. I probably wouldn’t make rude gestures as I believe it to be impolite and therefore inappropriate. I do however I believe I have the right to do so – irrespective of who I am being rude to. There is NO reason why it should result in my arrest and subsequent harrasment.
@ Jojo – The Anti Zuma campaign is being orchestrated from the President’s Office, he he he he he, absolutely!
The one thing that most of you who have commented here and the author have in common is a deep hatred for Zuma, I can understand why, but wouldn’t condone your hate – not that hate ever needs condoning. Most of you do swear him at will in the right company at safe dinner partys and private drinks sessions, but wouldn’t dare do so in public.
If I were a judgmental person I would call you all hypocrites and spineless zappers of people you do not know or understand, but I won’t, because judgment is reserved for higher beings then humble I.
I would never zap Zuma or most people older then me, actually, but that’s just how I was raised. I respect the man because I have met and interacted with him.
Here’s a little story: There is a primary school in Kwa-Mashu M Section which in about 1993 was revamped from the ground up – I’m talking running water, toilets that worked a roof and all. Jacob Zuma personally saw to that happening. Kids no longer had to learn in horrid conditions.
I would never raise my middle finger to the man for that one act, even if that is the only good thing he did – he made a difference to those children’s lives and I witnessed the change.
is Zuma trying to push himself out? I’m just wondering what next unbelievable installment awaits us mere masses…
To the middle finger brigate and Jennifer Thorpe. Did you show a finger and booed Helen Zille and her DA when they built those inhumane toilets in Capetown? Jennifer, who do you refer to when you say many people wanted to do what Maxwell did? Is it the 66% of voters? On whose behalf are you talking or basing your arguement?
Stop botox politics and debate real issues that affect SAns.
“In no civilise world would one pull the zap sign at the president and expect to go scott free.”
Hmmm…. While I wouldn’t say my country of Canada has a corner on virtue, I can say quite confidently (and having participated in a demonstration that confronted our own “blue light” brigade a while back) that “flipping the bird” would be considered a rather tame gesture.
@ Mtimande
I think you miss the point here. The argument is that I should have the right to say whatever I like without fear of being arrested. End of discussion.
While it is despicable that he was arrested and I agree with Jennifer and I like Grant’s idea about a national campaign to ‘zap’ cavalcades, I think this may say more about the police than the president (unless we know he ordered the detention).
Some of the responses that agree with his detention do say something about the political culture of some as they demand respect from leaders that has clearly not been earned.
If the ANC youth league can drop pants and show bums, then I can offer them a much tamer finger. Sies.
What happened to the woman who hit PW Botha with a tomato in the face? That would be a good measure of whether we actually do have a freer society than under apartheid.
@The Sumo,
Geez, the guy does something that his government is supposed to do, and now he’s a saint.
You have very low expectations of your president.
If you are a politician in a democracy, or a citizen of that same democracy, then both of you should be more concerned with what was causing one of your fellow citizens to show you, the politician, the finger. There must be some level of discontent with what you the politician are doing and in a democracy that means that could be going to cost you votes, not something to ignore or even worse, seek to punish the messenger in some way.
An essential characteristic of a successful retail business is that it constantly keeps an eye on the items that are returned and why they are returned. In the same way a good democratic politician would keep a close eye on citizen dissatisfaction levels.