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You got to hand it to our President: if he’s not dancing, he’s smiling and laughing. However, it’s his gaffes which gives us a platform to blog about and provides us with giggles on our way to work.
Scriptless and left to his own devices, our President has done it again!
From weaves to white people and their dogs, to single women being a hindrance to society; it’s now gone one step further and is this time around, about road infrastructure and Africans in Africa. Is there a diplomatic storm looming from the President’s speech at the ANC’s Manifesto Forum at Wits on Monday?
Twitter couldn’t keep up with all the tweets about his comments. I am sure many were saying everything from “Yoh, Yoh, Yoh” (BBM face cover)”and “say what”, to “you were in Malawi in August, is that the impression Malawi left on you?”
This storm started brewing when our Head of State, questioned about the wisdom and logic of the e-tolling system, retorted "We can't think like Africans in Africa. It's not some national road in Malawi."
There was robust debate on Twitter, the most obvious question being, “what did he mean by that?”
I still do not understand what Malawi’s national roads have to do with Gauteng's -tolls. Maybe the mouth did not connect with the brain before it sped off and now he has to pay toll fees for it. I am sure all of us have, at some point, experienced this.
Every time I hear Gedleyihlekisa’s quirks and oops, I always blame his speechwriter because his thumb notes need a relook. This time though, our President really put his foot in it. For future reference, maybe JZ needs Cody Keenan as his new speechwriter.
Malawi is asking for a meeting with the High Commission of SA about Zuma’s comments. Oh-oh. is the President in trouble?
What’s funnier is Zuma’s spin doctor Mac Maharaj, who is always at hand like a fireman. I think Zuma has him on speed dial.
“Mac (cue the infamous Zuma laugh), I made another oops. Please can you bring the fire hose (Zuma laugh again)”. Then he continues dancing at Nkandla.
Mac Maharaj said the President is more fluent with Zulu, but this wasn’t a translation issue; it was a comparison between countries.
Should our president apologise and withdraw e-tolls – oops I mean his statement?
If anything. he should retract e-tolls.
The DA commented, "President Jacob Zuma should withdraw his statement 'we can't think like Africans because we are in Johannesburg and not some national road in Malawi'," Maimane said.
"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."
Our Head Honcho is like a stand-up comedian who needs a bit of coaching. We should get Trevor Noah to give him a few pointers!
At another function a week ago Zuma said that those who challenge their leader will be cursed. "If you don't respect those in leadership, if you don't respect authority, then you are bordering on a curse," said Zuma.
"Whether we like it or not, God has made a connection between the government and the church. That's why he says you, as a church, should pray for it."
On the e-tolls again: "Once the court says this is our decision, as citizens we should abide by it," he said.
How ironic, he spent more than R1 million on the spy tapes release.
He also commented about "clever blacks" last year.
He criticised black people "who become too clever", saying "they become the most eloquent in criticising themselves about their own traditions and everything. B
ecause if you are not an African, you cannot be a white, then what are you? You don't know. You can't explain yourself. How then can you grow children?"
His quirks get even funnier; on whites and dogs : “They spend money on their dogs, taking it to the vet and for walks; it's white culture and is not the African way.”
On black women and weaves; “There is a new generation of young Africans who were trying to adopt other lifestyles and even trying to look like others, he said. "Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white," Zuma said.
Has Zuma been watching Chris Rocks documentary on “Good Hair”? Some people get so serious and offended, some laugh it off, and others say here’s my topic for my next blog.
We all make blunders, we say things that sound so daft and illogical, or we say something about someone, not realising they are right behind us.
It happens.
Are certain public figures exempt from making blunders.
We all say stupid things that we regret later. Problem is, we don’t allow public figures the same right.
From politicians to our favourite DJ’s, they all give us platforms for healthy and robust debate on issues.
How boring life would be if they didn’t make gaffes.
P.S Mr. President, South Africa is in Africa! Just Saying!
“Zuma's speech should be known in history as his "I am not an African from Africa speech". The breaking of ties with Seme, Mbeki & us all.” — S'thembiso Msomi (@Sthezozo) October 22, 2013.
Scriptless and left to his own devices, our President has done it again!
From weaves to white people and their dogs, to single women being a hindrance to society; it’s now gone one step further and is this time around, about road infrastructure and Africans in Africa. Is there a diplomatic storm looming from the President’s speech at the ANC’s Manifesto Forum at Wits on Monday?
Twitter couldn’t keep up with all the tweets about his comments. I am sure many were saying everything from “Yoh, Yoh, Yoh” (BBM face cover)”and “say what”, to “you were in Malawi in August, is that the impression Malawi left on you?”
This storm started brewing when our Head of State, questioned about the wisdom and logic of the e-tolling system, retorted "We can't think like Africans in Africa. It's not some national road in Malawi."
There was robust debate on Twitter, the most obvious question being, “what did he mean by that?”
I still do not understand what Malawi’s national roads have to do with Gauteng's -tolls. Maybe the mouth did not connect with the brain before it sped off and now he has to pay toll fees for it. I am sure all of us have, at some point, experienced this.
Every time I hear Gedleyihlekisa’s quirks and oops, I always blame his speechwriter because his thumb notes need a relook. This time though, our President really put his foot in it. For future reference, maybe JZ needs Cody Keenan as his new speechwriter.
Malawi is asking for a meeting with the High Commission of SA about Zuma’s comments. Oh-oh. is the President in trouble?
What’s funnier is Zuma’s spin doctor Mac Maharaj, who is always at hand like a fireman. I think Zuma has him on speed dial.
“Mac (cue the infamous Zuma laugh), I made another oops. Please can you bring the fire hose (Zuma laugh again)”. Then he continues dancing at Nkandla.
Mac Maharaj said the President is more fluent with Zulu, but this wasn’t a translation issue; it was a comparison between countries.
Should our president apologise and withdraw e-tolls – oops I mean his statement?
If anything. he should retract e-tolls.
The DA commented, "President Jacob Zuma should withdraw his statement 'we can't think like Africans because we are in Johannesburg and not some national road in Malawi'," Maimane said.
"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."
Our Head Honcho is like a stand-up comedian who needs a bit of coaching. We should get Trevor Noah to give him a few pointers!
At another function a week ago Zuma said that those who challenge their leader will be cursed. "If you don't respect those in leadership, if you don't respect authority, then you are bordering on a curse," said Zuma.
"Whether we like it or not, God has made a connection between the government and the church. That's why he says you, as a church, should pray for it."
On the e-tolls again: "Once the court says this is our decision, as citizens we should abide by it," he said.
How ironic, he spent more than R1 million on the spy tapes release.
He also commented about "clever blacks" last year.
He criticised black people "who become too clever", saying "they become the most eloquent in criticising themselves about their own traditions and everything. B
ecause if you are not an African, you cannot be a white, then what are you? You don't know. You can't explain yourself. How then can you grow children?"
His quirks get even funnier; on whites and dogs : “They spend money on their dogs, taking it to the vet and for walks; it's white culture and is not the African way.”
On black women and weaves; “There is a new generation of young Africans who were trying to adopt other lifestyles and even trying to look like others, he said. "Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white," Zuma said.
Has Zuma been watching Chris Rocks documentary on “Good Hair”? Some people get so serious and offended, some laugh it off, and others say here’s my topic for my next blog.
We all make blunders, we say things that sound so daft and illogical, or we say something about someone, not realising they are right behind us.
It happens.
Are certain public figures exempt from making blunders.
We all say stupid things that we regret later. Problem is, we don’t allow public figures the same right.
From politicians to our favourite DJ’s, they all give us platforms for healthy and robust debate on issues.
How boring life would be if they didn’t make gaffes.
P.S Mr. President, South Africa is in Africa! Just Saying!
“Zuma's speech should be known in history as his "I am not an African from Africa speech". The breaking of ties with Seme, Mbeki & us all.” — S'thembiso Msomi (@Sthezozo) October 22, 2013.
