Criticise Zuma, but not for this

If you do not know about the brouhaha surrounding President Jacob G Zuma and the English newspapers - mainly of the tabloid shape and mindset (for want of a better word) - you must either be poor (for which I'm sorry) or perhaps living in some bizarre, cut-off place such as Hogsback or Cape Town. Yet even in those outlandish places, I understand, the Internet exists.

It's been great fun, hasn't it, watching the souties (or rooinekke, if you prefer) having a go at the President. The President has, by the way (this info is for those residing in Hogsback) gone to London, with one of his three wives, Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, to see Queen Elizabeth II and a few other handlangers, such as Prince Phillip and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

There is, after all, something deeply satisfying about a good set of insults being thrown at someone in power - especially as we don't do enough of that sort of thing in this country. It's similar to having someone following a monarch around - it's said that Alexander the Great had such a someone - whispering in the monarch's ear that he is, after all, mortal.

And also, if the insults are well done, the whole exercise can be funny - and in these days of credit crunch, stormy weather and Julius Malema, we all need a bit of "funny".

There are, however, a number of problems - I can think, without trying too hard, of at least four - with the main attack fired at Zuma, by one Stephen Robinson of The Daily Mail.

First is what I call The Problem of the Ukrainian Woman. If you are going to criticise someone satirically, bitterly and nastily, you have to pretend that you care; that on some level you are serious. In Robinson's piece of March 2, however, he tells us that Zuma in fact has 35 children, including a set of twins with a woman from Ukraine.

Problem here is that, once you have picked yourself up from the floor and stopped laughing, it is a bit difficult to take Robbo seriously.

Second, Robinson indeed pretends to be serious. He reportedly told John Perlman on KayaFM that he had written the piece because Zuma's behaviour has been "grotesque". But what has he written? "Jacob Zuma is a sex-obsessed bigot with four wives and 35 children." After that rubbish (sex-obsessed, maybe; four wives, yes, if you include the divorced shortie; bigot, no - quite open really; 35 children, no), why would anyone take Robinson seriously?

Small test, by the way: how many male people can you think of who are not in fact sex-obsessed bigots? Sad truth is that most men are (do the test); so why the song and dance about Zuma?

Third, as the reader will have gathered by now, Robinson's piece is plain rubbish. The 35 children and the Ukrainian doll or the claim that Zuma's election ditty, Mashini wami, was a "grotesque disavowal of (Nelson) Mandela's (previous) exhortation to his supporters to throw their weapons into the sea", are simply codswallop.

Most seriously, however, this sort of piece - and The Daily Mail has pulled the same stunt at least twice before; it's obviously good for circulation - is deeply racist. It bespeaks a racism and contempt that the English specialise in.

Basically, such a piece is saying that the man with the black skin, who hails from Africa, and who subscribes to a polygamous marital system, is a lesser breed; he's a sex-crazed buffoon. It's the sort of blimpish humour - or parody - at which Private Eye magazine used to be so adept, except that it made fun in the first place of the English themselves, and it was funny.

There's not much funny about what Robinson has written and of course its success lies in its appeal to the basic racism of the English about the laughable black men in Africa who sit under a tree, have many wives to till the fields for them, and never require Viagra.

It also dangerously misses the point. If you want to criticise Zuma, point out that the tri-partite alliance is showing severe strain, parts of the ANC seem to be at opposite poles economically, Malema and his ilk are running riot, and Bafana Bafana are likely to get whipped by some team from a place like Ukraine.

Postscript

On Thursday 4 March I wrote a 700-word article about President JG Zuma and English newspapers for East London's Daily Dispatch newspaper, which is reproduced above. Unfortunately, I did not see until Sunday morning an article on Politicsweb titled "Zuma and the British media" (see here).

Dated 5 March, it was written by Lucy Holborn, "a British expat working as a researcher at the South African Institute of Race Relations".

Holborn wrote that, when it came to being mean towards Zuma, the main offender, the Daily Mail, would certainly be - if personified - a right-wing and vile buffoon. Nonetheless, other newspapers were also, as Holborn puts it, "critical" and "somewhat mocking" of Zuma. (If that was "somewhat", I'd hate to see them at full throttle.) But this, she explained, was not racism for four reasons.

First, Holborn explained, "political satire and criticism of politicians is an important part of free speech and a free Media in any democracy, and Britain prides itself on having a Media unafraid of criticising and poking fun at political and public figures both at home and abroad". 

Leaving aside the fact that JZ was not "a politician" in Britain (he was a visiting foreign president), thank you, Lucy, for explaining so simply the basic tenets of a "free Media". I think it is important that you did so because we lesser breeds, especially here at the tip of Africa, have no idea about free speech. Just ask the fellows who put our constitution together - or maybe ask Nelson Mandela, Raymond Louw, or Max du Preez.

As for poking fun at politicians, well, thanks for explaining that part too. I'm sure Zapiro and a host of others (not to mention Richard Smith, who was doing that stuff before Zapiro was born) have a lot to learn from you Engelse - whom, as we all know, know everything there is to know about everything, especially journalism.

Thanks also for pointing out that what is needed in a "healthy democracy" is "to hold leaders to account". That'll give Mondli Makhanya and Justice "the end of the world has come" Malala something to chew on; they had no idea.

And of course none of what anyone wrote in the British newspapers had anything to do with Zuma's colour or provenance. Goodness me, if the chap had gone to Eton and then served in the Guards, why, they'd have written the same - right?

Second, Holborn explained, the British media was not racist - because the SA press had said many similar things about Zuma! I might have this wrong - and the lawyers can correct me if I do - but, as best as I recall Newspaper Law 101, repeating a defamation, initially committed by someone else, is not a defence upon which the courts look kindly. Besides, what makes Lucy think that the South African media is not racist? Or is worthwhile emulating? Don't let the presence of non-Caucasian people (or Irish owners, or anything) fool you into believing that there is any sort of cogency, or an abundance of functioning brain waves, in the local media.

Holborn's third reason why the British media should not be viewed as racist is the most interesting. If - according to Holborn - the Brit media uncritically accepted Zuma and all his controversies, this would be demeaning to Africa and Africans.

Listen to Holborn: "It would be as if to say, ‘This is Africa. This is all we expect of African leadership: corruption, nepotism, polygamy and affairs.' The fact is that the British know South Africa deserves better than Zuma, and that he and many in his government are failing to live up to the example set by Nelson Mandela of selfless and humble leadership."

I see. So, to "accept" Zuma is to accept corruption, nepotism, polygamy and affairs. But I thought that the charges of corruption had been dropped against Zuma by the National Prosecuting Authority. As for nepotism ("favouritism shown to a relatives or close friends"), who are we supposed to be talking about here? Zuma's cousin, Pravin Gordhan? Zuma's uncle, Moe Shaik?

Then there's "polygamy and affairs". First of all, I don't think they're comparable in anyway; secondly, you and I might not like the former but it is accepted by the constitution; thirdly, since when was having an affair "illegal"? What is this? The Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

Then there's the matter of Saint Mandela. What exactly about his leadership was more "humble" than Zuma's? More directed, more effective, more dictatorial in cabinet, perhaps - but what exactly was humble? Or more to the point: what exactly about Zuma's leadership has not been humble?

Or "selfless"? You mean Mandela gave up his life, almost literally, to the struggle? Indeed. But so has Zuma. No, Zuma didn't do 27 years; he did ten. Are we going to find a way of putting the two prison terms into a set of scales and judging which was more painful?

Enough. The real point is that I don't think it's for Lucy Holborn, "British expat working as a researcher at the South African Institute of Race Relations," to decide what is better or not better for South Africans.

But what about the racism? Of course it was racist: look at the funny black man and all his wives coming here to take tea with the queen, etcetera. But I've already said all this - in the piece above.

Jeremy Gordin is a veteran journalist and author of Zuma: A Biography. This first appeared in the Daily Dispatch.

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responses to this article

Cronon smonin Can someone please tell Malema and Cronin to both shutup. by Ackerman on March 07 2010, 17:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Ackerman what the hell has cronin got to do with anything you moron? by Richard Steele on March 07 2010, 19:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Surely shome mishtake? Ackerman, Don't you mean Cronion, son of time? by Domza on March 07 2010, 19:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Not quite Jeremy, if there are not 35 children then how many are there exactly? I find the changing numbers annoying. It's as if the President does not respect his South African subjects enough to 'fess up and reveal the precise number. ( I also note that he did . .more not deny the twins by the Ukranian woman.) If Zuma is not corrupt, why was he fingered in the arms deal and why will he not disclose his assets to parliament? Further, Hillary Squires ruling regarding Zuma's close friendship with the devious Shaik was not over-turned. I take exception to the UK press calling Zuma a baboon and a buffoon. That is most certainly racist. However, he is certainly by no means a president whom I am proud of. I like Zuma for being an affable man who has been a conciliatory figure (well, he was, but perhaps not more). However, does he command the respect incumbent of a man in the Top Job? Most definitely not. And on the subject of Jeremy Cronin, my dream team would be Bishop Tutu for President flanked by Cronin and Vavi. . .less by Bunny Jones on March 07 2010, 23:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

On Alexander the Great and mortality Funny that, I always believed it was Marcus Aurelius who had a slave walking behind him who, upon his master receiving some fawning praise, would whisper "Memento mori", meaning "Remember that you are mortal". by Jean Racine on March 08 2010, 00:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jokes aside I have just read Jeremy Gordin's "Postscript", and want to agree. The horrible thing is not that the British media reaction is a surprise, but that after, in my case, more than half a century of experience of their publications, there is no . .more surprise. "Fleet Street" has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. Everything changed, but only so that everything could remain the same. Nor is it surprising that there should be well-placed apologists ready and waiting in South Africa to defend the indefensible racism of the British media. Even so, one needs to be reminded from time to time that there is still an Imperial opinion factory with subsidiaries everywhere. Remember who they are, and what they represent. . .less by Domza on March 08 2010, 05:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Disappointed Jealousy gets you nowhere. Its good to see ourselves through the prism of outsiders. Why resent the fact she is expat ? I enjoy your work and humour but this is bitchy nitpicking. by old, female on March 08 2010, 06:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

How uncritical can we be when it suits our spleen? "But I thought that the charges of corruption had been dropped against Zuma by the National Prosecuting Authority. " quoth Gordin as he goes full tilt at Holboom. Is Gordin really so thick that he thinks Cadre Mpshe's scandalous dropping of the . .more 783 criminal charges against Zuma is above board, and that Saint Zuma has been shown to be totally innocent of all those charges by Mpshe's dishonest act, and a pox on the Brit who dares allude to those charges? Goes to show how common sense goes out the window when you've got B***** all better to do than try your vicious best to "satirically" maul a better jounalist then yourself. . .less by mpho on March 08 2010, 06:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma's made his own bed, let him lie in it As long as Zuma continues to do nothing about Malema I could care less what they write about him. by olivia on March 08 2010, 07:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bottom line really is ..... Currently South Africa, it's leadership and people is the world's biggest joke state. It's moved from pariah, to hope, to joke, to circus. And surely the world's media have noticed this and report on it. by Gutenberg on March 08 2010, 08:26 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Point is Most of us in SA also think that they are a barbarians. by Koos on March 08 2010, 08:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Whitewashing Dear J. Do you really believe, as you wrote, that Zille is envious of the old ram frequent orgasms with his extended harem of wives, concubines and girlfriends? Please tell us, why you are trying so hard to whitewash (black-washing?) such . .more sordid private life. Logically that we end up deducting that you must be sponsored to do such a thing, which really damages the way people may end up perceiving you and your integrity. School fees perhaps? Shabby Bros Inc. in their usual un-selfish act? . .less by Injala Apera on March 08 2010, 08:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Well said Not YOU Gordin! Well said Gutenberg, well said indeed! by Oompah on March 08 2010, 09:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

If it walks like a duck ... ... and it quacks like a duck, it's most probably a duck. by Beatrice Dhlamini-Smith-Nkosi on March 08 2010, 09:26 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

We need a President not a clown We don't know how many kids he has, he has refused to divulge his financial situation as required by law, we don't know what he stands for because he changes his opinion depending on his audience, and judging by the way he lets pip-squeaks like Malema run . .more amok, we don't even know if he is in control. . .less by Sad Days on March 08 2010, 09:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Rorsarch test Gordo, Why are you obsessing about what an overseas journo, whom few in this country (especially those who voted the vile buffoon into power) have heard of? Can you prove for a fact that the subject of your biography does have only 20 . .more children? Methinks, Robinson's hyperbole is closer to the truth than your spin. However you frame it, Zuma is not a model of financial or sexual responsibility (his relationships in both areas leave much to be desired) and his prattle of morality or ethics a mere insult to the listeners. A little like your goebelsstuk. . .less by Loudly South African on March 08 2010, 09:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

British Press are just racist Regardless of this Holburn's protestations, the british press specifically the rightwing DAily MAil is just simply racist! THe BRitish Royal Family past and present is notorious for their extra-marital adventurous and I think this woman Lucy should . .more rather focus her research in that direction! . .less by Iskariot on March 08 2010, 10:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

It never Ukraines but it pours I'm sure Robinson was excercising some poetic licence regarding the Ukrainian woman. Jeremy, your forelock tugging ode to JZ is way OTT. In view of Zuma's latest "I didn't know I had to declare my financial interests" blunder, I think it's pretty obvious . .more who the buffoon is here. . .less by The man in the street on March 08 2010, 11:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

If it walks like a duck... ...it's probably El Gordo. by Domza on March 08 2010, 11:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Of souties, rooinekke and pommies For the record: Soutie is a euphemism for soutpiel which refers to the brits who made the journey to the cape and natal colonies but still saw themselves as english and therefore had one foot in SA, while having the other firmly anchored in a . .more beautiful coal-mining metropolis such as liverpool, with the result that their genitalia was immersed in salty sea water. This little caricature is meant to demonstrate their silly habit of not letting go of glorious britain and fully accepting south africa as their new home. Rooinekke is the name given to new arrivals from england who was ill repared for their stay in africa, and who's skin was not quite used to more than 5 days of sunshine a year. They subsequently suffered from sunburn more than the dudes wearing velskoene. Well, all I'm trying to say is that all three these terms are more appropriately used when referring to english speaking south africans / south africans of british descent (whether or not they are still hanging on to their red passports), and would be inappropriate to use when referring to subjects of her majesty still living in her majesty's glorious realm. . .less by netrev on March 08 2010, 11:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Injala Apera Maybe Gordin is doing to Zuma what Bruce did to Mbeki when Bruce was editor of the Financial Mail. His fawning praise and outright brown-nosing of Mbeki helped him land the Editorship of Business Day. Unfortunately the natives have become wise to . .more this practice of @rse creeping for positions and Gords will have to do better than this to get to the inner sanctum. . .less by flebus on March 08 2010, 12:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jeremy From the day you finished JZ's biography forget about ever having objective analysis of your articles. Our own bigots will always crucify you for not being critical, sarcastic humiliating and libelous in that book as they would have wished to have been. . .more They don't understand why being an educated white man became so impartial about this illiterate "thief" and "womaniser". To them you owed it to the colour of your skin to nail JZ, come what may and you "sold out". Don't worry Mfanakithi, those of us who were fortunate to be in the real liberation struggle and associated with many white PATRIOTS with principles without colonial mentality have adapted to your way of reasoning. Sometimes we disagree with you but have never sensed any imposition of superiority attitude in response. Keep your pen rolling. . .less by Njabuliso on March 08 2010, 12:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Domza You vile swine of a grey & dogmatic commie! Since when can you give yourself the "very bourgeois luxury of humour? How decadent can you suddenly be? What happen to you? by Injala Apera on March 08 2010, 13:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Bunny Jones You say : "I take exception to the UK press calling Zuma a baboon and a buffoon. That is most certainly racist." I've read articles calling George Bush a monkey and a buffoon; were these attacks racist too? I guess not; it's only when . .more negative things are said about black people that it's racist. Clearly, a racist is a white person who.................... . .less by Oompah on March 08 2010, 13:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jeremy you missed the point Jeremy you sadly missed the point of Lucy's article and what she is trying to say. According to my understanding she is not saying that British madia is better or ahead of the South African in how to report on issues, also what they are reporting is what . .more we've been reading in our South African newspapers about JZ. You make this too personal and I think it is blindind you from broadening and widening your views and opinions and I think your article sounds more racist than the brits, so you and the daily mail are equals. You mention JZ as the man with the black skin. Sad. You concentrated on attacking and bitterness about Lucy's article that you even forgot to put your own intelectual point of opion forward. You only chose those parts of the article that suits you to attack. I think she wrote a very good article. . .less by sandile on March 08 2010, 14:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Netrev Point taken - you're absolutely correct. by El Gordo on March 08 2010, 14:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Monogamy What immortal law gives the English culture and preferences for monogamy a higher ground to polygamy? Truly, Holmoron represents these cultural imperialism intentions. by F. Ace on March 08 2010, 14:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

DAILY TELEGRAPH Comment - Sat 26 Mar 2010 Being an English speaking white southern african, I had understood that the "K" word was used for insulting all black tribes & that "Souties" was the handle for insulting certain Engelse witbooitjies. Still, I am glad that JG is discerning enough to avoid . .more the former whilst liberally at ease with his use of the latter. I digress; that DAILY TELEGRAPH comment, then:- "CORRUPT POLITICIANS LOVE TO ENTERTAIN CORRUPT POLITICIANS" "What a treat for our beloved Queen that Jacob Zuma, colourful leader of South Africa, is heading home; & how sad for his benighted country, a vast crime zone awash with corruption. At least entertaining a leader who has been on trial for rape & graft, & with various wives, will have put Her Majesty in the unique position of feeling good about her own politicians. It is tempting to dismiss Zuma as comical, but the repression in his own one-party state is something his white liberal supporters should be ashamed of endorsing. He continues to argue for the abominable Mugabe in Zimbabwe, & to shore him up. That we suck up to Zuma is a measure of the values of the politicians who invite him here." On balance, I could agree that president Zuma seems odeous enough a leader from his own track record - without the Daily Mail over-egging the issues. The Chikurubi Rooinek :) . .less by John Austin, LONDON on March 08 2010, 15:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Racist yourself! :P So, if Ms Holborn was South African, would you agree with her opinions? by PeterH on March 08 2010, 16:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ John Austin: How the mighty have fallen Even after the corrupt BAE arms deal, I find it hard to believe that the British would have invited this man into Buckingham Palace. Students of international relations will celebrate the event as a landmark in the annals of diplomacy for many . .more years to come. . .less by Siegfried Hannig on March 08 2010, 17:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Outsiders Some people from a particular ethic group that could be regarded as the prototype of minorities in general, somehow may always tend to feel as outsiders. Being a "professional "outsider perhaps it can give feelings of rejection, which forces one to . .more be nice on the few occasions that it may help him or her, but mostly nasty, "before they have the change to do it to me/us", or something to that effect. Does it make any sense? . .less by @ John Austin on March 08 2010, 17:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Your Culture Not Ours The problem with satire is that it does not have a universal vocabulary. In some cultures, in fact many and perhaps the majority frown upon making fun of others full stop. It's possible that satire is uniquely European. Making 'light' fun of people is . .more perhaps part European culture. Interestingly this making fun of people is only accepted in certain forms such as theatre or traditional news print. If one were to make light fun of someone at a board meeting it would probably not go down well. We need to understand cultural diversity properly. We can't say that we are all globalised now and therefore we all subscribe to European culture. English might be one of the major languages of globalisation, but it does not mean that users of English are English. I suspect however that some satirists do understand this and they know that what they are saying is offensive. They do it none the less in order to be deliberately provocative for the sake of scoring points for agendas political or otherwise. After the fact they plead innocent play. 'We are just playing" they will say "it's called satire". One is inclined to think that the following response would be appropriate. "That's fine but please understand it's your culture and not ours." . .less by Global Thought on March 08 2010, 18:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ OUTSIDERS Not quite sure what you are trying to say nor to whom it is directed. Please have another go Chikurubi Koos :) by John Austin, LONDON on March 08 2010, 19:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Netrev "...coal-mining metropolis such as liverpool..." There was never any coal-mining in Liverpool. Liverpool is not on a coalfield. by Jeff on March 08 2010, 20:00 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jeremy Gordon and buffoons If a person is a buffoon, then he should be called a buffoon. So now all Brits are racist? It was one article in a right-wing newspaper. Is this your sum knowledge of British journalism. You know the British press are far harder on their own . .more politicians than they are on visiting ones. Thing is, in Britain the press can bring about the firing or resignation of a politician. Here in SA it fails to achieve this. If it's alright to declare Britain as a racist nation, is it also OK for me to undertake an anti-Semitic rant based on some generalisations, further based on one man's article in a right wing newspaper. Cool down fella you're defending a man who brings all his troubles on himself, and appears to be too stupid to realise it. A person can be immoral, but when he's the President and representing all S. Africans he cannot just justify his behaviour in terms of Zulu culture. Yes, some cultures are more evolved than others. Just because it's "your culture" doesn't make it morally acceptable to the other cultures you are representing; or to the culture of then nation you are visiting. . .less by Jeff on March 08 2010, 20:12 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@the editor: Moneyweb Sir, Please bing back Clive Simpkins. he is an insufferable bore. he is the nemesis of good communication. he is both arrogant and over the top. he has very little knowledge of is subject But at his worst he is still better . .more than Gordn at his best. . .less by Plutarch on March 08 2010, 21:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Everyone in the country knows that Malema is the Boss anyway So why the fuss about some guy who reads his speeches, has 3 wives and more on the way, 20 odd children, likes machine guns, likes unprotected sex, has illegitimate kids, has sex with no condoms, has sex with a girl he knew had aids with no condom, dances . .more about in leopard skins, generally says nothing, has no clue about leadership, likes to wear white style clothing, likes to drive white style cars, will not disclose his financial position, will never disagree with anyone ... generally this is not someone who should even be employed by anyone in my opinion. . .less by Reality Check on March 08 2010, 23:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma ii Jeremy your obsession with the greatness of Zuma and the the unfair abuse the poot thing suffers, are now reachhing the same heights as Roberts' obsession with the great "Native . .more Intelligence" http://letterdash.com/g.annandale/goddification-of-zuma . .less by Geanann on March 09 2010, 11:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Am I the only one who has no idea why this boring writer ever gets published? I can never get beyond the second paragraph of his praise singing without giving up and just scan reading. The articles go on for ever and ever and ever but nothing worthwhile is ever said. . .more Please Jeremy, take up gardening, or hill walking, or soccer but for all our sakes keep well away from the keyboard. . .less by ??????? on March 09 2010, 15:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Jeff Jeff, you are right. I was mislead because all the ex-liverpudlians chose to settle in SA coal mining metropolises such as springs, ermelo and witbank. by netrev on March 09 2010, 15:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@?????? The reason this writer is published is because he's charming, good-looking and a great writer. If you don't want to read him, read something else ... by Respondent on March 09 2010, 16:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

As for Plutarch he should go and drown himself in a butt of malmsey wine by Respondent on March 09 2010, 16:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Liverpool was a slave-trading port Horrid to recall, but true. by Domza on March 09 2010, 16:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Gordin's most outrageous work to date The Daily Dispatch editors were clearly prepared for your lack of brevity and skill when they limited you to 700 words. The arguments advanced are stretched Mr Gordin. Such as your argument regarding nepotism, You point out that nepotism . .more is defined as preference for family and friends and then use "cousin Gordhan" and "uncle Shaik" to point out they were not relatives? Did you right this in an uncontrollable rage? Did all sense of logic leave at that point? While some of Zuma's choices of ministers have been inspired and could not have been bettered (Gordhan, Manuel, Marcus, Aaron Motsoaledi), some have been olive branches (Mulder, Nzimande) - others have been his inner circle - and you mention one to counter the claims of nepotism! Shaik, Simelane, Cele, et al. You counter that Zuma is a bigot. Have you forgotten how Zuma reminisced about how he would have knocked out a gay man in his youth? Surely not - it was mentioned in the Daily Mail article. But you state, "bigot, no - quite open really." You mention the Mpshe dropping of charges against Zuma as seeming proof of his innocence. Come on. Perhaps you might point out that Robinson left out the word "alleged," but your sycophancy has betrayed you. Hurry up Jeremy - a few more of these and you'll have the beating of Qwelane for that Uganda post... . .less by IITQ on March 09 2010, 20:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Siegfried Hanning You wonder that JZ got invited to Buckingham Palace after the BAE scandal, - that I believe is naive. He got invited BECAUSE he and his bedfellows were pocketed by scandal, Brittania waives the rules, remember. And his other state visit was to Pres, . .more Sarkozy of France, (payback time to the order of a nuclear power station) and he has also met up with Angie Merkel, the other European player of the illegal, immoral Weapons deal. As long as the weapons deal does;nt get clarified, South Africans will never be masters in their own home. Students of international relations will celebrate the event as a landmark in the annals of diplomacy and analyse scandal as instrument of politics for many more years to come. . .less by arnaud on March 15 2010, 01:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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