Cliff: hate speech, not free speech

Mantombazana ‘Manto’ Edmie Tshabalala-Msimang was a South African politician who will, no doubt, be remembered for her controversial policies on HIV-Aids while Minister of Health under President Thabo Mbeki.

Unquestionably she drew fire from many quarters with some even calling for her to be held accountable for the deaths that resulted from those policies.

She was also a human being, a wife, a friend and someone who had made a lifelong contribution towards the liberation of South Africa.

Her personal battle with her health ended on the 16th of December and there are millions of South Africans who are aware of the debt that they owed Manto for their freedom long before the issue over health ever came along.

Having said that and save for a few extreme examples – Hitler being one – to publically tell people that someone’s death is “good riddance” is not the work of a shock-jock it’s that of a moron.

“Manto is dead. Good. A selfish and wicked bungler of the lowest order. Rotten attitude and rancid livers – all three of them…” – Gareth Cliff

Perhaps Cliff, aware of the anger towards Manto over health, miscalculated the backlash that his Tweet would bring or possibly he just fired it off without thinking. Regardless, at the very least, he owes a public apology, at worst, a new CV to look for another job.

This is not free speech, this is hate speech, about someone who cannot defend herself and goes way beyond insensitive.

When Johannesburg shock-jock Majota Khambule (Phat Joe) made what were perceived by some as disparaging remarks about Caster Semenya, primarily whether she had testicles instead of testes and whether she had ever had a period, he was given his marching orders.

Those observations were not even in the same division as Cliff’s ridiculous outburst.

Moreover it is disingenuous of the broadcaster to suggest that Cliff’s Tweet was private and as such they cannot take action.

As one of their frontline DJs everything that he says carries their brand and requires their response where necessary.

No doubt they will soon learn that they can’t duck the bullet on this one.