Right off the bat, let me state quite plainly that the hate speech case against ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema currently before the Equality Court in Johannesburg, is absurd. It’s an indictment on both the blinkered fools who initiated the legal action and the bigots, who have rallied together to defend it.
The pro-Afrikaaner group Afriforum who brought the case against Julius Malema for singing a song translated to mean “kill the Boer [Farmer],” are misguided in their attempts, though it may seem noble by many people, notably Afrikaners. According to constitutional experts such as Pierre de Vos, the definitions of hate speech are far too broad and may render ordinary everyday speech as objectionable, depending on the fuzzy sensibilities of the person or persons it is directed at.
Julius Malema on the other hand, is not the innocent victim here – far from it. Being the useful tool that he no doubt is, his insistence on singing the song “kill the Boer” 17 years into what the ANC government considers a democracy, has to be regarded with suspicion. Hateful or hurtful language such as that depicted in the song would not have been out-of-place during South Africa’s apartheid years. But why now? Can it be a delayed act of revenge against the former oppressors. Surely not – most of the youth today could not have been so affected by apartheid 17 years ago to the extent that it would merit an act of vengeance after so many years.
Surely there is a hidden agenda by the Youth League leader and by extension the ANC, in becoming embroiled in this hate speech saga at this point in time in the history of the country. Why would a liberated people still be singing about “killing” who they envisage to be their former oppressors after all these years?
Filter in the fact that it’s election time and things start falling into place.
It has not escaped the attention of many wise people, that the ANC are in desperate need of attention being diverted away from the now routine disclosures by opposition political parties and other organizations of the ANC’s many, many failures in delivering services to the electorate, monumental corruption, nepotism, fraud, misconduct, gross incompetence and other forms of chicanery within the ANC government and structures.
This hate speech case before Equality Court provides a rather convenient side-show for the ANC supporters who are now being bussed in to congregate outside the court buildings, and be entertained by hired large screen television displays. Not to mention the bodyguards in sharp suits and dark glasses, brandishing menacing-looking firearms, that would not be out-of-place in a military invasion. And what about the ANC bigwigs who put in both daily and star-attraction attendances to court and who fire up the crowds with empty rhetoric? It’s a goddamn freakshow!
Right now it’s looking like a win-win situation for the ANC only. Afriforum have given them the perfect vehicle to demonstrate what they are very good at: being struggle heroes. That’s all they have to offer the people, because they have failed at governing.
And even if Afriforum get a favorable court ruling, the ANC and Malema will still win by getting a rap over the knuckles and perhaps a fine…which we the taxpayers will eventually have to cough up. Actually, Malema will be hoping to lose the case; it will be his proof to the people that they’re still being victimized, and that the [false] revolution he is calling for is justified.
Lenny Says 