Zuma comments cause canine chaos
It was a dog-eat-dog world on Twitter as people argued over President Jacob Zuma’s comments that caring for a pet dog was part of “white” culture.
'CAPABLE HANDS':
President Jacob Zuma has regional support from eThekwini for the leadership battle at Mangaung later this year.
PHOTO: KEVIN SUTHERLANd
There are many ways of being African. Of being black even those who love animals are not less African than those who don’t
While a flurry of users seemed indignant that Zuma didn’t name Jock of the Bushveld his favourite four-legged South African or ask Lassie to come home, many others agreed with the president’s sentiments.
One user, YanelaJ, said Zuma’s comments were accurate: “How many blacks vs whites do u c walking/running dogs..don’t count domestic worker?” Young Communist League spokesman Khaya Xaba tweeted that a ”rich man’s dog gets more in the way of vaccination, medicine and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man’s wealth is built.” The Star reported on Thursday that Zuma, in a speech given at Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal, had said that spending money to buy a dog and taking it to the vet and for walks, belonged to “white” culture.
He was also reported to have said that those who loved dogs more than people had “a lack of humanity”.
The presidency later sent out a statement in which it explained that Zuma was only trying to “decolonise the African mind” with his statements.
Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said that Zuma wanted “to enable the previously oppressed African majority to appreciate and love who they are”.
Meanwhile on Twitter, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi tweeted a picture of himself with his Boerboel “Superhero” and his Jack Russell “Maradona”.
Some tweeters gently suggested that “Superhero” was a bit on the chubby side, but Vavi reassured his followers that he has managed to get the Boerboel’s weight down since the photograph was taken.
Vavi also mentioned that he had given ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe a puppy years ago. “He keeps dogs too,” tweeted Vavi.
Nevertheless, Vavi said that he was not offended by Zuma’s comments. “As an animal lover & proudly black I don’t feel insulted by that comment — I do have compassion for humans too!!” However, internationally renowned author Zakes Mda refuted the essentialism behind Zuma’s statement.
“There are many ways of being African. Of being black even those who love animals are not less African than those who don’t.” Journalist Reuben Goldberg suggested that South Africans buy Zuma a dog “and name it #Nkandla”.
Even “Bazil the Bulldog” gave his opinion into the matter, tweeting: “Zuma needs a history check, as the Africanis breed of dogs have been the companions of Southern Africa’s San Bushmen since 800 AD...” Ayanda Mlotshwa questioned Zuma’s linking of race and dog ownership, stating: “I’m black & I love my dog. He’s part of my family. We’ve always had dogs in my family. Can’t imagine life without them.” A number of people also tweeted an old photograph of former president Nelson Mandela beaming alongside a jubilant canine companion.
The Christian Democratic party sent out a statement in which they said it appeared from his remarks that Zuma’s second term would be “even more sectarian and divisive” than his first.
“This playing up of one culture against another, describing them, not as different, but rather that one has superior moral values to the other, is totally unacceptable and counterproductive,” said party leader Theunis Botha.
Meanwhile President Jacob Zuma has asked for a national cleansing ceremony to restore, what he has branded as the moral values of the nation, SABC radio news reports.
Zuma said the ritual would be of great importance in the light of incidents such as the Marikana tragedy, the rape of elderly women, and political assassinations. He said people who were not cleansed, harboured grudges. According to the report, Zuma said he would call on Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to help lead the national cleansing ceremony.
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sekhebereshe
zuma comes second after mugabe with ignorance........he is a slap on the face for freedom fighters.Report Abuse
Zabaragast
Don't buy this idiots nonsense. there are plenty of black people who own and care for dogs, not just in suburbs, but more often in rural areas wherethey are often hunt with their owners or kept as pets for security for sheep or cattle. Plenty of house holds with dogs in townships as well.
It's unfortunate that Zuma is the prez who knows nothing and the media have to print what he says.
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SOLUTIONS
He was also reported to have said that those who loved dogs more than people had “a lack of humanity”.I love my dogs much more than a lot of humans, I also stay on a farm and have my dogs to warn me if a piece of sh1t of a human wants to come and shoot me in the face. So F U and your whole statement.
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oldlady12
The last paragraph of this article actually says it all. Why should we always have the cultures played up against one another? Like this ubuntu thing. It might not be a white word, but it is not a black concept only. Or yesterday, the men trying to tell the women what they should or should not wear, because the man is the head of the house. Do anyone truly think that is a black prehistoric concept only? The NG Kerk has been preaching that very same concept for as long as it existed already. What's wrong if I want to be a little bit more black? If I find something that black women do that I like, why can't I try it too? What's wrong with evolving?Report Abuse
britannica88
Mr. President i am worriedReport Abuse
TLekota
Thata Msholozi. Whatever you meant is for you.I wonder what your government will do when the rhino poaching will increase next year because animals are just animals. So we better close the vet section of University of Pretoria and the Onderstepoort Centre. If many "African" were understanding the diseases that animals have and the risks that poses to their lives since we slaughter them on our own you will retract those statements Mr. President. Think of TB in animals or CA (Bovine Brucelossis ) which make you sweet while you sleeping. So many acts signed by your predecessors Mr. President like the Animal disease act, animal protection act, meat safety act, and a whole lot of them.
I still believe humanity should only be shown to people but to animals too. Look how barbaric rhinos are killed. It's so painful to see the scene even on tv.
Those comments were so unnecessary.
Khaya Xaba you just quoted Samora Machel, anyway he was a communist like you are.
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TrippleXXX
Blacks iqiniso liyababa maaan, blck people only have dogs for security reasons...and most dogs are all over the streets izinja nje.....Report Abuse
BRA-MAFUTHA
This thing is stupidReport Abuse
Stumtum
As much as I like my President I do not see him finishing his presidential term, so sad.Report Abuse
CYBORICO
Msholozi, this talk u do with abobrazini, or while chiling nabazukulu, look how it can be blown out of propotion by those looking 4 your downfall, actually u must leave this kinda talk to me and skunk Sinudeity, its nevr a good thing for a congressman to just speak their mind, get what u want said to be prepared on time and analysed if it will have the desired effect and mean excatly what u want to say, otherwise I think I will have to refurbish the bunkers at my place and start digging trenches around the crib and feel the sand bags, it go b a long day on the field i sayReport Abuse
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