South Africa has really blown my hair back this week.
Well, what’s left of my hair, which is not much.
Several incidents have occurred over the past two weeks which have truly boggled the grey stuff between my ears.
First was the incident regarding the ‘blackface’ girls. Was the incident truly racist? Or was it an ill-considered costume for a dress up party, on private property, in private time and unaffiliated to any institution. While I have read much which could show the act was racist, especially given the horrid historical context of blackface productions from the early 19th century, I did notice no interview was had with the young girls themselves. What were their intentions? What was the thinking behind the get-up?
On top of this is the question of private time, social media law and freedom of expression and/or association. My biggest question is when does private time and employment/affiliation overlap?
Taking this example, I have superimposed an employee in the place of the two girls. From this, could an employer fire a worker for performing the same action, in private time? There is a clause in most companies now about ‘bringing the name of a company into disrepute’ when using social media.
But does this clause mean that a company now owns you, mind body and soul? Where does infringement of privacy begin and end? Fine, the photos were placed on an online platform. But was consent given for the photos to be taken and was consent given for the photos to be published? Failing to prove this, surely the person concerned could claim invasion of privacy or even misrepresentation?
While I cannot tolerate or accept racism, I am not so narrow-minded as to think everyone is like me. I cannot impart or enforce my home-time beliefs onto another. Therefore, it is ludicrous to think employees should behave in a manner acceptable to an employer in their private time, on private property and at a function not affiliated to the employer in any way.
What’s next? Firing workers for posting a picture of them being drunk at home? Or sitting in front of the television with a beer?
Following closely on this train of though is the young man from a certain school who faced a severe online back-lash for stating he is against the killing of civilians in Gaza. Someone even began a petition to have this lad removed from his position as deputy head boy.
I am well aware of the sensitivity regarding this topic. All I will say regarding this, is that as a representative of the media, freedom of speech should be encouraged. Even if sometimes we may disagree with what is being said. Should we fail to protect freedom of speech, even if we do not like it, the question must be asked, “Where is the line drawn?” I am not sure I can answer this question.
This incident also dovetails rather interestingly with the two Pretoria girls – does attending an institution mean that they own your thoughts, actions and/or ideas?
The final event which blew me away was ‘Dr’ Pallo Jordaan, finally coming clean and admitting his PhD was fraudulent.
Those who have followed me on Twitter will have seen the ANC’s response to my questioning this debacle.
I was not so surprised about the fraudulent degree. It seems common practice in South Africa for unqualified people to hold senior positions. Take the head of the SABC for example.
No, what blew me away was the ANC’s response to the matter.
“When people acknowledge wrong doing it must appreciated because its a sign of willing to correct oneself” (sic).
This is what was tweeted to me from the ANC. I have to ask why nothing has been mentioned about the decades of fraud perpetrated by this man against the people of the country.
There was no willingness to correct his behaviour prior to the DA’s investigation into the matter. Once Mr Jordaan realised the game was up, he resigned.
I do believe it is unacceptable to now sprout words like ‘humble’ and ‘humility’ when for over 10 years this man perpetuated academic fraud within the highest echelons of government.
One must now pose the question, does the ANC support fraud, just so long as you don’t get caught?
So, as you can see my dear readers, the past two weeks have been rather interesting. And rather infuriating for me.
Oh, and don’t forget the earthquake, an extra little something from Mother Nature, just to shake things up a little.
I was all shook up after that, seeing my desk shake, rattle and roll. My laptop did the hippy, hippy shake and we all rocked around the clock.
