Phumzile Van Damme vows to deconstruct ‘tea girl’ insult

DA MP and shadow minister of communications Phumzile Van Damme has vowed to fight the ‘tea girl’ insult after a Twitter user used it against her once again.

Twitter user @LuRaWenu used the insult on Van Damme in response to a photo of her reliving her days as a waitress while on the campaign trail.

Van Damme spent the afternoon at the restaurant she worked at 18 years ago as a student in need of money for “necessities”.

She donned her uniform once again and served a few of the patrons of the restaurant.

This takes me back to my young days. I worked here 18 years ago when I had to work hard for my pocket money. – PVD #TeamOneSA #OneSAForAll #FairAccessToJobs pic.twitter.com/YXUcH2uFFb

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) January 17, 2019

Taking to Twitter to brag about her skills, Van Damme made a remark about how she has “still got it” alongside an image of her carrying a tray with teacups on it.

Still got it, can balance a tray in one hand! Working here taught me the value of delivering good service. I’ve taken this value into my political career, I understand that as a public rep, I am elected to be in service to the people of SA & do so with excellence. – PVD pic.twitter.com/9og0XPSaot

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) January 17, 2019

Twitter user @LuRaWenu commented: “So I was right. You are a tea girl.”

Van Damme explained how the insult dehumanises those in the service industry before sharing her own personal motivation for wanting to end the stereotype.

Here’s an insult always bandied around recklessly. I’ve always wanted to deconstruct it. The insult is based on the belief that those working in the service industry as waitresses, domestic workers, kitchen staff etc. are sub-human & their vocation can be used as an insult. – PVD https://t.co/kktwtehTGf

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) January 17, 2019

uKhokho wam’ was a domestic worker. Many mothers & fathers continue today to work in the service industry to support families. Your money, your car, your possessions do not make you better & superior. What makes a good person is your heart & how you treat those around you – PVD

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) January 17, 2019

This is not the first time this insult has been hurled at a DA politician.

EFF leader Julius Malema once called the DA’s Lindiwe Mazibuko “the madam’s tea girl” when he refused to engage in a debate with her during her time as a parliamentarian back in 2011.

He was subsequently called out on his hypocrisy due to the demographic the EFF appealed to as well as the apparel they chose to wear to parliament.

It shows how little they think of the people they claim to represent. “Tea girl” is considered an insult to them. https://t.co/jLPJLWiK7Y

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) October 23, 2018

"Garden boy", "tea girl" – true to his EFF nature. When they're in a corner, their true colors come out thick and fast, for all of SA and the world to see. Not surprised at all.

— Herman Groenendaal (@HermanHG) November 22, 2018

If the DA and EFF align will they call Lindiwe 'Fighter Tea Girl'.

— Chester Missing (@chestermissing) May 9, 2014

ALSO READ: ANC hiring of ‘teagirl’ sparks protest in Uitenhage

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