In a nutshell, the post asked for PW Botha’s return to politics and called ANC members, rogues. The post claimed the education and health systems were far better under Botha’s leadership and said under apartheid, police did not murder miners on behalf of the government.
Barnard later removed the post and apologised, saying she had not read it in its entirety before hitting share.
Being an editor, I am very aware of what I put on my private Facebook page and make sure that whatever goes up does not have content that would have the undesirable effect of going viral. The same, I would assume, would go for all public figures – be it celebrities, politicians or activists.
Ordinary people have lost their jobs over social media posts, and for Barnard to claim ignorance, is even more ridiculous than posting it in the first place.
We live in an age where nothing is private. We have just about all the information we need at the touch of a button. And while one can excuse an ordinary citizen for making a mistake on social media, a politician sharing a statement such as the one mentioned while working in a democratic society, and in a country with a history such as South Africa, is simply not on. The mention of one of apartheid’s former leader should have rung alarm bells prompting her to read further.
If the shoe was on the other foot and it had been an EFF or ANC member who shared a similar comment, I am sure the DA would be having a field day. In fact, when EFF leader, Julius Malema sang the struggle song Kill the boer, kill the farmer, the DA called it hate speech.
Apartheid was cruel, wrong and did more damage to this country than anything the current government and its members have said, sung or written. While singing Kill the boer, at this time, is unacceptable and extremely provocative, a statement asking for PW Botha to come back, in my opinion, is even worse.
