'Even if you straighten your hair, you will never be white' - Zuma
Jacob Zuma claims there is a new generation of young Africans who are trying to adopt other lifestyles and even trying to look like others
File photoPresident Jacob Zuma delivered a controversial speech in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday, during which he lambasted young black people.
There was a new generation of young Africans who were trying to adopt other lifestyles and even trying to look like others, he said.
“Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white,” Zuma said.
Instead, a person lost dignity and ubuntu, and was also likely to lose respect and love for his fellow human beings, Zuma charged.
He said black people should stop adopting the habits of other cultures.
As he talked, the audience of thousands – attending the annual commemoration of the induction of Inkosi Sibongiseni Zuma – laughed and applauded.
It was Jacob Zuma’s first public appearance since being re-elected ANC president in Mangaung a week ago.
Amongst other things, Zuma described people who loved dogs more than people as “having a lack of humanity”.
He claimed that spending money on buying a dog, taking it to the vet and for walks belonged to white culture and was not the African way.
On marital problems, Zuma said families should resolve issues instead of running to religious leaders.
In future, Zuma said, every December 18 there would be a gathering in KwaNxamalala, near Impendle, where the youth would be educated about the importance of preserving African culture.
“We normally have this day (the commemoration) on December 26; from next year we are going to bring it forward to December 18. We need to use it to correct each other and protect our culture,” he said.
The president showered residents with gifts including groceries, wheelchairs, blankets and lawnmowers.
One family was given a four-roomed house and a bed.
Reacting to Zuma's comments on pets, National SPCA spokeswoman Christine Kuch said she could not comment on Zuma’s statement as she had not heard him speak, but added that many South Africans felt deep compassion for their animals.
“We cannot have compassion for animals if we do not have compassion for children and the elderly,” she said.
Kuch said care given to animals, in most cases, benefited people.
“If donkeys are better cared for, they are in better condition to carry water or carry a child to school; when dogs are taken to vets for vaccination, it protects people. Caring for an animal and a person goes together.”
Zuma is known for making controversial comments. Just recently, in an SABC3 television interview in August, he said it was “not right” for women to be single and that having children provided them with “extra training”.
He was speaking about his daughter Duduzile’s marriage, saying: “I wouldn’t want to stay with daughters who are not getting married. You’ve got to have kids. Kids are important to a woman because they actually give an extra training to a woman, to be a mother”.
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Comments
Ponko.Fontoyo
Idiot.Report Abuse
MommaC
Why the f(&$^&$!! do they let this moron speak in public !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Report Abuse
oldlady12
Hehehehehe. The man really has no clue about women. I perm my hair to curl it, and I've spent what must amount to years in the sun to get darker, and I'm well aware that i won't turn into a black by doing it. These cosmetic changes us women do, is for us, because that's what we want to do with our money we work for, and has nothing to do with culture. And dear Mr Prez, how can you even talk about humanity when you say don't take your animals to vets when they're sick, and don't take them for walks to keep them healthy? Really now. I think his speech writer must be on leave. How can this man represent what is supposed to be a non racial organisation when he keeps making such ridiculous racist statements? Someone, please tell me he was misquoted.Report Abuse
RipApart
Do not underestimate the predictability of stupidity........Report Abuse
Pointman
Ja idiot indeed. People want to look nice. Straight hair and nice clothes does not mean a person has abandoned his culture. And the presidents interpretation of African Culture costs money - many wives and many children costs money which only the privileged few like him can afford.Report Abuse
Bebesocs
There he goes again.People have a RIGHT to do what they like NOT what you like, you put on animal skins who cares about that S.H.I.T, so back off thats freedom,dividing the country. Such a statement is not expected from a STATE PRESIDENT.
He is wearing animal skin showing us his arthritic knees (wearing a mini)
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Folondishi
Zuma's comments are toxic. I have lost respect for this morally bankrupt moron. This is an insult to our sisters and mothers. What does a hair have anything to do with being white? Who wants to be white? Why should a president mock his own people? Maybe we should also tell you not to bonk every women you come across and think that you will turn into a Bramahn.Report Abuse
Pointman
oldlady12I think his speech writer must be on leave.
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I was wondering what made him make such silly remarks - this is the most probable reason. I was driving through Rosettenville yesterday and noticed that there were many salons advertising braids and weaves - but the people in the streets all still looked black. The presidents formula to turn white is not working.
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oldlady12
Pointman, then you were driving through my valley yesterday. Did you also happen to notice the many abandoned dogs roaming the streets? Is that then the "black" way? To let dogs run the streets to bite innocent children, because the "white" way is to keep them safely in your yard, and if you take them for walks, to have them on a leash.Report Abuse
sekhebereshe
@FolondishiZuma's comments are toxic. I have lost respect for this morally bankrupt moron. This is an insult to our sisters and mothers. What does a hair have anything to do with being white? Who wants to be white? Why should a president mock his own people? Maybe we should also tell you not to bonk every women you come across and think that you will turn into a Bramahn.
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i totally agree.....you said it better.
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