Zwai Bala blasted over Malema comment

A motion to impeach President Jacob Zuma was heard in the National Assembly on Tuesday. The motion was spearheaded by the Democratic Alliance and follows the Constitutional Court ruling that Zuma had violated the Constitution when he failed to adhere to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s remedial action to pay back some of the money spent on his Nkandla homestead upgrade.

Zuma survived the motion as ANC MPs voted against his impeachment, but this did not sit well with opposition parties and many South Africans on Twitter. People took to Twitter to express their disappointment in the ANC for ‘failing’ to do what’s right for the party.

In the midst of the anger, musician Zwai Bala also took to Twitter to call out Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema for calling Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete by her first name during the impeachment debate.

“Most SAns have a stance on the local politics & have every right to express their views. But as Africans, respect is standard & inexcusable. And for Julius to disrespectfully call Ms Mbete by her first name can never be correct by African standards. Irresponsible of a leader,” Bala tweeted.

He received backlash from people on Twitter, with Eusebius McKaiser tweeting “it’s not time for anthropology my friend”. Other people, however, did not respond to his tweets with McKaiser’s grace, as one user called him out for his “backward thinking”.

Bala did not take the responses lying down. He responded to some while still maintaining his view on African standards, tweeting: “Political party lines change. Being African never does”

This is how Twitter responded:

Most SAns have a stance on the local politics & have every right to express their views. But as Africans, respect is standard & inexcusable

— Zwai Bala (@ZwaiBala) April 5, 2016

And for Julius to disrespectfully call Ms Mbete by her first name can never be correct by African standards. Irresponsible of a leader.

— Zwai Bala (@ZwaiBala) April 5, 2016

Shall I rephrase and say "respect for elders"?

— Zwai Bala (@ZwaiBala) April 5, 2016

@ZwaiBala have you bn leaving under a rock?

— The Good Citizen® (@ISedio) April 5, 2016

@zwaibala african standards my foot

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Here’s why Electoral Court overturned IEC’s decision to bar Zuma’s candidacy

— Nthapeleng (@_Fachie) April 5, 2016

@ZwaiBala Whatever u smoking is messing with ur thinking ability!

— EFFwayawaya❤🖤💚 (@phpnhlapo) April 5, 2016

@ZwaiBala focus on what you do best, music, and stop educating us about respect

— Mr Serious (@MrTshis) April 5, 2016

@ZwaiBala @kaysexwale please concentrate on making music, since when did you become a moral teacher? Please man seat down

— Cmpwear (@CmpwearSimphiwe) April 5, 2016

https://twitter.com/NzimaD/status/717366525867466752

@ZwaiBala I am really disappointed that you looking on the matter one sided.

— Bab' Zwane (@dizwanze) April 5, 2016

@ZwaiBala Zwai, u r so quiet abt Mbete's treatment towards the EFF. I'm not EFF but the truth is she is biased against them

— TakaSyo (@bigkoostar) April 5, 2016

Maybe it's just my upbringing where anyone who could be as old as your mother you can't call by (first) name #thatisall #strusbob #NoTenders

— Zwai Bala (@ZwaiBala) April 5, 2016