A slap on the wrist would have been better punishment
A decade ago children expected punishment when they got up to mischief. Your mom or dad would administer a hiding if you set your sisters doll on fire, swung from the curtains or arrived home late. Discipline could be maintained with the mere threat of a
The youth has no respect for today’s just laws
Punishment instils discipline which in turn reinforces accountability. What South Africa has today is an entire generation that has grown up in conflict with an unjust legal system. Our legacy is a youth that has yet to discern between the unjust Apartheid laws and the mostly sensible constitutional provisions in place today. What do we mean by this statement? Let’s take a look at an individual act of defiance to illustrate it. The incident we’ll discuss is the recent ANC Youth League President versus democratic South Africa event.
On 16 June 2008 Malema used the podium at a Free State Youth Day rally to vocalise his (and by extension his organisation’s) support for newly elected ANC President, Jacob Zuma. But he overstepped the mark when he announced a willingness to kill for Zuma! Sapa reports that Malema’s speech ended with the words: “We are prepared to die for Zuma... We are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma!” His young and gullible audience reportedly laughed and clapped hands.
South Africa’s political ‘first division’ responded with unified voice. Opposition parties lambasted Malema for inciting violence. Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille described Malema’s statements as “inflammatory, dangerous, irresponsible and an incitement to violence.” UDM president Bantu Holomisa upped the ante claiming that “some people [Malema] have little regard for justice and demand only one verdict threatening violence and killings if Zuma is found guilty.” He was linking the statement to the ongoing court battle involving the ANC leader.
From ‘farmer’ to anyone at all
The ANC added their voice to the growing list too. ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe’s official statement read: “It does not represent the official position of the ANC as a political party. We want the youth league to support the party, but it should not make reckless statements.” Unfortunately Youth League leaders are notorious for making abrasive remarks. Peter Mokaba, who presided over the organisation in the early 1990s gained notoriety for his “Kill the farmer, kill the Boer!” chant.
This phrase was recently condemned as hate speech by the Human Rights Commission (HRC). Commissioner Karthy Govender said: “The slogan ‘kill the farmer, kill the Boer’ as chanted at an ANC youth rally in Kimberly and at Mokaba’s funeral is hate speech as defined in Section 16 (2) (c) of the Constitution.” This followed complaints lodged with the commission by the Freedom Front (FF+).
The commission also received numerous complaints about Malema’s utterance. They requested that he apologise to the commission or face possible legal action. But Malema was having none of it.
Why he couldn’t just say sorry
A compromise was reached with Malema and the HRC agreeing that he would refrain from using the word “kill” in future. It’s a long way from the apology and retraction that the HRC had initially demanded. In fact it amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist… What would happen if an opposition youth leader had made a similar statement we wonder? We doubt the ANC would have tolerated an IFP leader spouting “kill for Buthelezi” sentiment. And what would happen if some crazy right winger started screaming for people to “Kill for Terreblanche!”
But this is outside the scope of today’s debate. What we really want to know is why Malema couldn’t just apologise. Even SAFA bigwig Irvine Khosa backed down and apologised for his recent use of the “k” word... You’re not less of a leader if you acknowledge your mistakes. In fact knowing when you’ve erred is a great leadership quality. It’s time for our leaders to shelve their arrogance and take accountability for their actions!
Editor’s thoughts:
It amazes us that someone will refuse to apologise for a statement even when threatened with legal action. We can tell two things about the individual in question. First he has no remorse, and second he is entirely convinced his there’s nothing wrong with the utterance. Should Malema have been punished for his “kill for Zuma” statement? Add your comment below, or send to mailto:gareth@fanews.co.za
