Julius Malema has come out against the Young Communist League and vowed to do his utmost to defend former president Mbeki against any legal action over his HIV-Aids utterances. And in other news, a herd of pigs were seen executing formations in the air above the Union Buildings while over in the Middle East Ahmadinejad has invited the Israeli PM for beer and pork chops at a popular Tehran strip joint.
One of the above is true. Quite shocking I know. After all, media-informed logic would have us believe that being pro-Zuma means virulent anti-Mbeki. Right? That’s how it works. All black and white, no grey areas. If Vavi says something counter to perceived alliance doctrine, then the alliance is falling apart at the seams. If you vote DA then you are a Bullard-reading privileged white racist (always leaves me conflicted that one, I love that uppity Pom). And it is all the ANC’s fault.
Why do we think that? I blame it on the Zuma gevaar tactics of the pre-Polokwane days. The mainstream media seemed so intent on doing their bit (rightly or wrongly) to stop a Zuma presidency and the catastrophe that would ensue should the supposed “corrupt racist” take over the reins. A few years later, we are stuck with a public discourse that ferments the very polarisation it thrives on reporting.
Now I’m not saying that Julius’s defence of Mzizi is some kind of sign that they are somehow reconciled best buddies. It’s well possible that there exist reasons for this which we are not aware of. And we can never be as long as the story remains at “Malema defends Mbeki” and creating hype and a buzz about that remains the only goal of our mainstream media.
Here’s a headline I’d love to see: “Why Malema defends Mbeki”, “Alliance engaged in healthy debate”.
I’m praying for the day when the media will report news fairly and accurately not trying to influence the psych of the public to think in a particular way but to let the public form its opinion.
Superb – the best laugh to end an excellent day! May you bring mor fun into the ridiculous reporting of political trvia!
In the main the media report the facts or ignore the issue all together. Many Zuma supporters would have it that the media were on a witch hunt. They are probably right, the media in it’s wisdom had decided that Zuma would not win Polokwane, and then went a bit overboard. But they had ammunition, Shabir, the rape accusation, Zuma’s continuous demand for his day in court, then his obvious stalling of that day. Now, because of the belief that the media is white owned or controlled, the Zuma and ANC supporters have nothing but contempt for anything the media, DA or any white person says. In the main, criticism of the government is coming from whites, and the ANC, led by Julius Malema and blacks in general, stubbornly defend any official or black criticised by whites or the media with total disregard of the issue. Blacks make issues racial because they will not tolerate a white criticising a black. Read the comments on this and other news sites for proof. Take Julius Malema’s latest rant. He says the ANCYL will “not allow” Mbeki to be charged with genocide, when he should have said they “would oppose”. The contempt he shows every time he opens his mouth is concerning. Unless we get a strong black political party to challenge the ANC we are doomed. Blacks and the ANC government will not accept criticism of their beloved ANC by whites, and make their contempt thereof highly visible.
All black and white, no grey areas. If Vavi says something counter to perceived alliance doctrine, then the alliance is falling apart at the seams. If you vote DA then you are a Bullard-reading privileged white racist (always leaves me conflicted that one, I love that uppity Pom). And it is all the ANC’s fault !
One of the above ..is true !
True.
Controversy sells papers, it’s just business.
Great article. thank you. Who the hell is Malema to say “we won’t ALLOW” a trial against Mbeki? Personally i do think it may be a bit extreme to charge him but that is for another debate. My point is: Who the hell is Malema to say that? It is not up to him. Who died and made him boss? It is time that he was reminded about his position.
Very well said and this is potentially a very nasty situation. Attitudes need to change very soon or we are going to be heading for big trouble in this country. No i am not a “doom and gloom” whitey waiting for visa approval. i am a very proud African that wants peace and harmony and i DO believe it is possible.
Let me guess, Mbeki’s silence conspiracy theory is defiantly starting to kick-in. He’s quiet and never wanted to drag other comrades to the mud when he was kicked out of his chair. The ANC is starting to see a better person out of him and they are impressed.
Being the man that he is, he will never accept any position offered by his fellow comrades which they are trying to lure him with the cover ups by our dear friend Malema.
Paul is right. Who in his right mind will allow people who continue to think that they are better, more intelligent and or God ordained to be superior than you, to criticize you. Case in point, he says Malema should have said ” would oppose ” instead of saying ” will not allow ” what an arrogance on Paul’s side who think whites have the right to judge and direct the thinking of blacks. Mbeki is a member of the ANC and a leader of the people. The Youth League of the ANC has the right to defend one of its own should they believe he is under unnecessary attack whether it be racial attack or not. Malema proves that the ANCYL is principled, they do not attack a person but are fighting for a cause.
@Paul, is the YCL white, seeing that they are the ones who are gunning for Mbeki, the former ANC and SA president?? Exmple of racist white men in this country.
Me thinks the alliance has gotten just a little smarter than the average man out there.
Act as if we don’t agree in public yet we agree on points behind closed doors when we wine and dine each other in all these lavish places at the expense of the taxpayer…
mxm
Mbeki may have screwed up, but he asked a question in parliament along the lines of ‘How can that be?’ The real error lay with the then Minister of Health, who had medical training but was egging him on. Why worry now? We can’t bring back lives already lost and Mbeki has categorically stated that he does not want to work in government. Those who still are there, still need to prove they can do better. And that’s the crux of the matter. Crucifying the already fallen won’t put today’s wrongs right and perhaps everyone’s just trying to deflect attention to the present elsewhere…
brilliant, thanks. other bloggers please take note.
It is an insult to every adult thinking South African that every time they went to bed they were influenced by Mbeki and every couple fell on their knees beside the bed, did a Mbeki-denial mea culpa and then got on with it!
I am yet to be educated by Mbeki’s pervasive gravitational sway and pull on every South African’s sex habits. If I were a judge I’d love someone to convince me of this “beyond reasonable doubt!”
Now, as an adult and thinking South African I know that no one has ever died of a syndrome. You are free to misconstrue whatever that means but I know the medical dictionary meaning of “syndrome”.
I also know that much that goes in the HIV_AIDS debate overseas is not reported in South Africa because we had a political agenda to grind. Even the much acclaimed US report about the healthy ,young pregnant black mother who died of AZT,and the following medical profession coverup, was never reported by the South African media.
I personally choose to be a free agent and I choose to think for myself whatever I want to. I grant the same right to other races. I am aware of those who want to control my thoughts.
I find it very indicative of our own intellectual poverty and enxiety, when for whatever reason, we lump together Julius and Mbeki in the same basket. With due respect, Julius is trillion miles behind Mbeki.
Nice article.
@cheryl on November 18th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Please take your chill pill and don’t forget the medication.
mandla on November 19th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Another Mbeki apologist, shut up. He needs to be charged for his crimes.
“Why Malema defends Mbeki”
Perhaps he wants another daddy when his current foster parents kicks him out of the alliance for misbehaviour? Something that is starting to look all too likely at present. Malema is not a complicated person (Remember the F in Woodwork and the lifestyle he favours). I wish those who wonder at the high position he so miraculously occupy would stop trying to find Machiavellian ulterior motives for his utterances. The ANC leaders chose him before he was old enough to show he didn’t have what it takes to be a politician and leader. A very dangerous practice and the reason why aristocracy was found to be a non-viable form of government.
If Mbeki is to be charged for anything it should be for sin tax. The man who loves his drink makes the rest of us pay for it through the nose? I notice Zuma never abolished this law. It is probably too profitable.
@Xolile ka Solani – I agree that sometimes socalled “white arrogance” can be insufferable especially if unjustified. Nothing stops you from being just as arrogant but the lack of belief in your own ability. Just make sure it is not a delusional believe in ability as in the case of Malema, when all you will achieve is scorn.
The Palestinians are crazy even to consider talking to Israel when it continues to build on Palestinian lands in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Also, without the involvement of Hamas, the talks are meaningless. The prediction that the negotiations will be complete “successfully” within one year shows that Obama and Hillary Clinton are completely delusional. They seem to live in a different planet.