South Africans ask: "Why do the Brits hate us so much?"

South Africans are sensitive about the portrayal of their country in Britain.

March 7, 2010

That was the question dominating South African headlines and radio phone-ins last week after British press coverage of both President Jacob Zuma's state visit and the imminent football World Cup. Leading the charge, like Michael Caine in red tunic and white pith helmet in the film Zulu, was journalist Stephen Robinson, whose critique of South Africa's Zulu leader in the Daily Mail bore the headline: "Jacob Zuma is a sex-obsessed bigot with four wives and 35 children. So why is Britain fawning over this vile buffoon?"

The stinging reports came with South Africans already sensitive about the way their country is being portrayed in Britain as it prepares to host the Soccer World Cup in June. Radio talk shows in South Africa have speculated on the reasons for what they see as relentlessly negative coverage bordering on "Afro-pessimism". Butana Komphela, chairperson of the national assembly's sport committee, said: "There are racist writings by journalists who are very malicious."

The African National Congress Youth League put it more baldly: "British media seem to have developed a habit of rubbishing our president and constantly portray him as barbaric and of inferior belonging. It is quite apparent that the British media is the one that is characterised and defined by the worst form of barbarism, backwardness and racism. These British racists continue to live in a dreamland and sadly believe that Africans are still their colonial subjects, with no values and principles. They believe that the only acceptable values and principles in the world are British values of whiteness and subjugation of Africans."

Source: The Guardian

 

Zuma is probably going to be the worst President South africa has had post -apartheid, but they shouldnt be calling him barbaric. He is practising his culture( Zulu). They are polgymists. Its reminiscent of the colonists telling the natives how to live their life. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
They can call him stupid, that I wouldnt mind too much. He isn't the brighest spark.

 

Zuma is the worst in my opinion. He apologized for "cheating" even though he has a lot of wives! Wished he would resign soon.

 

Zuma is a bit of a joke. Dont know how many wives he has, its a few though, but he still went ahead and cheated. He is on the old side as well. You would have thought his sex drive was waning.

The way South African politics works is strange anyway. Zuma is only president because he is a Zulu. The previous two presidents were Xhosas( mandela & mbeki), so the third had to be a zulu. They have a mini rivalry for ANC presidency. Zuma says stupid things and will continue to say stupid things because he hasnt really got much of an education.I would have thought South Africans could have found someone better then him.

 

The country is a shit hole now, that's probably why they make fun.

 

The AMC shoud had found a Zulu who is smart a bit like Chief B. but, they have not found one.