The rush. The people asking you questions like you’re someone important. The small glass of water for your gentle sipping between questions. The cameras on you. The lights. The news coverage. Is our president addicted to court?

I can’t see any other explanation for his decision to once again waste taxpayers’ money on suing someone who has done more to reflect the realities of South Africa in a way that we can relate to, with the added bonus of laughter, than anyone else. Zuma sues Zapiro. It’s the perfect opportunity for him to get his fix. Despite the fact that the South African Human Rights Commission already found that it wasn’t hate speech, Zuma charges defamation.

Obviously I think that the charges are ridiculous, but more worrying is that our pres thinks it’s acceptable to take time away from running our country (into the ground?) in order to pursue personal ego-stroking on the public stage. Zuma loves a day in court. Since he was brought there under charges of rape, and then corruption, he must have become an addict, and now he goes on his own steam.

The best thing is that all Zuma is doing is indicating how true a reflection of SA this cartoon is. Once again, our president holds free speech hostage and makes a joke of justice. Zapiro couldn’t make this stuff up if he tried.

I just wish we had someone in government who was more concerned with running a non-violent healthy country than with his ego.

Author

  • Jennifer is a feminist, activist and advocate for women's rights. She has a Masters in Politics from Rhodes University, and a Masters in Creative Writing from UCT. In 2010 she started a women's writing project called 'My First Time'. It focuses on women's stories of significant first time experiences. Buy the book on the site http://myfirsttimesa.com or via Modjaji Books. Jen's first novel, The Peculiars, came out in February 2016 and is published by Penguin. Get it in good book stores, and on Takealot.com

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Jen Thorpe

Jennifer is a feminist, activist and advocate for women's rights. She has a Masters in Politics from Rhodes University, and a Masters in Creative Writing from UCT. In 2010 she started a women's writing...

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