Zuma gets SA barking mad
2012-12-27 14:02
Durban - President Jacob Zuma’s first public appearance
since being re-elected as ANC president in Mangaung a week ago, has got South
African’s barking mad.
During a speech in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday the
president said spending money on buying a dog and taking it for walks belonged
to white culture and was not the African way, which was to focus on the family,
the Mercury reported.
He said there was a new generation of young Africans who
were trying to adopt other lifestyles and even trying to look like others.
“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.
He added that black people should stop adopting the
habits of other cultures.
As he spoke, the audience of thousands - attending the
annual commemoration of the induction of Inkosi Sibongiseni Zuma - laughed and
applauded.
But not everyone was pleased with what the president had
to say.
In response to his speech South Africans took to Twitter
to voice their opinion.
Lebogang Mabuza (@Five0 50) tweeted: “A president with a
3rd world mentality, we not going anywhere with this guy.”
Dipakana Mokotatsie (@Dipakana) said: “The idiocy we have
to keep up with for the next 5/6 years. Lord have mercy on us.”
Bruce Cooper (@BruceRelates): “[President] Jacob Zuma’s
drivel over dogs, whites and African culture reveals a populist and
racist-mongerer. This man can’t govern any other way.”
While Mike Eksteen (@mceks1) tweeted: “#jacobzuma if
caring for animals in ‘not the african way’ then why is seeing we live in the
most amazing animal kingdoms!!?”
National SPCA spokesperson 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.
Zuma is known for making controversial comments.
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
he was happy for her.
“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,” he said.
