Professor De Vos vs David Bullard...where's Qwelane?

Professor Pierre de Vos is an expert on constitutional law at the University of the Western Cape while Dave Bullard is a professor of street smarts from the university of life. As a huge fan of both I was intrigued to see the professor respond to David’s column on “The new media racists” with one entitled “David Bullard’s weird view of press freedom”.

This has now had a response from David under the title “Prof de Vos’s weird view of the law”.

The issue being debated is freedom of speech with special regard being had to the role of the media.

In light of the current debate between the SABC and the Mail & Guardian over the showing of the Zapiro documentary this is becoming highly topical right now.

While I don’t wish to intrude on their debates I would like to highlight one aspect.

Just over a year ago I confirmed that if I ever started a site two names would top my priority list. David Bullard and Jon Qwelane. Both are extremely controversial and create a buzz wherever they write. That is good for you lot because it breaks through the apathy and gets you thinking and is great for the industry in terms of building interest.

I am always good as my word and before I launch the Richmark Sentinel officially I plan to — at least — offer Jon a platform. I also plan to offer him a backhand if he ever writes homophobic garbage on site. I believe that my constant struggle to achieve equality for the gay and lesbian community on this site will ensure that nobody is under any misapprehension that I condone that bullshit.

South Africa has many wonderful and colourful characters who need to be cherished for the way in which they brighten up our lives, get us thinking and stir up a bit of controversy.

As such just as I am a fan of Mondli and Justice Malala at the Sunday Times and the Prof of the Western Cape I believe Bullard is a South African institution like Pieter-Dirk Uys and Zapiro who needs to be seen and heard.

Moreover just as I refused to allow popular opinion to prevent me from championing the cause of Winnie Mandela so too will I refuse to allow it to cloud my decisions on the talented people of this country.

We have this terrible habit of building people up only to destroy them.

As a criminal attorney of many years I know that people are the same wherever they are only our perception of them differs. Don’t destroy this part of our heritage with hate and resentment. Rather join in the fun and celebrate that individualism which makes us all a little more special for their presence.