ZUMA UNDER FIRE AFTER TELLING SOUTH AFRICANS NOT TO THINK LIKE AFRICANS South African President Jacob Zuma torched a diplomatic storm on Monday over his comments urging South Africans not to think like Africans in Africa, with critics saying such talk fed xenophobia that has cost the lives of many immigrants in South Africa. Zuma spoke on Monday at the Gauteng Manifesto Forum at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg on e-tolls where he cast aspersions on Africa in general and Malawians in particular. “We can’t think like Africans, in Africa, generally. We are in Johannesburg, this is Johannesburg. It’s not some national road in Malawi,” Zuma said, drawing furious reactions from within and outside South Africa. Though South African presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj yesterday accused the media of quoting Mr Zuma out of context and blowing the statement out of proportion, his statement found few takers with social media abuzz with angry reactions. “I don’t know what Malawi’s roads infrastructure has to do with Gauteng’s e-tolls. Zuma needs to chill with the arrogance,” tweeted writer T.O Molefe. “I’m desperately trying to understand what Zuma meant with his ‘African’ remarks. I’ve translated it to Zulu and Xhosa, but it sounds even worse!” tweeted Mondli Zondo. “Jacob Zuma must withdraw his presidency, not just the e-tolls statement. The rot is his whole being not just his thoughts,” said Mindlo Mindlo. The DA also joined the conversation, with the party’s national spokesperson Mmusi Maimane calling for the president to withdraw his remarks, Sapa reported. “The president was saying we must welcome e-tolls and pay up because new freeways have been built in Johannesburg. What the president doesn’t realise is Africa is actually developing at a faster pace than he suggests.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 08:55:59 +0000
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