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Cancel culture 101: Navigating the business of social media
Capitalist Party’s Pillay slammed for calling Winnie Mandela a ‘cougar blesser’
Phumzile Van Damme came to the defence of the EFF's Dali Mpofu and the late Mama Winnie.
eNCA head of news and Capitalist Party of South Africa founding member and chair, Kanthan Pillay | Image: YouTube
While the nation observed the first anniversary since South Africa lost Winnie Madikizale-Mandela, founding member and chair of the Capitalist Party of South Africa Kanthan Pillay had something entirely different in mind.
The purple cow leader has come under fire for his tweet in which he refers to advocate Dali Mpofu as a “Ben 10” and Madikizale-Mandela as a “cougar blesser.”
So Ben 10 @AdvDali_Mpofu is still pushing his party to name an airport after his cougar blesser? Nice. https://t.co/jacxGe28lJ
— Kanthan Pillay (@KanthanPillay) April 2, 2019
The only thing more surprising than Pillay’s utterances is the fact that DA MP Phumzile Van Damme came to the defence of Dali Mpofu, the national chairperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters, and Madikizale-Mandela, an ANC veteran.
Sies man. When will you & your buddies learn the ball & not the man? I am no fan of the EFF, but beyond politics we are all human & vile personal attacks like this I will stand up against, regardless of political affiliation. Be better. And have some respect for Mama Winnie! https://t.co/UIw64TULNr
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) April 3, 2019
I actually had so much respect for you @KanthanPillay & assumed that it was the company you keep that was vile & sexist, but clearly birds of a feather flock together. I hope the same people in your “party” don’t have their reputations tainted by this.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) April 3, 2019
While some social media users have expressed their personal disdain for the EFF as an organisation and stated that they saw no problems with what Pillay said due to this contempt, others have agreed with Van Damme’s point.
Pillay’s mentions have been flooded with request for him to delete the tweet, retract his statement and “show some respect”.
@KanthanPillay explained quite articulately on the #burningplatform on @CliffCentralCom, a few weeks ago, his feelings regarding Winne Mandela. And they stem from her involvement in the murder of his friend, Dr Abu Baker Asvat.
— Quintin Davis (@quintindavis) April 3, 2019
Dankie Sis Phumzile 🙏 This is Nonsense on Standard 10 we are all human beings we shouldn't Support Person attack
— VENTainment (Sound and lighting) (@iamVentWELL_SA) April 3, 2019
It was really uncalled for and it just shows immaturity and recklessness
— Tshangisa (@ShepherdSkhomo) April 3, 2019
Pillay also directly received the majority of the backlash for his statement directly to his own account.
You should delete this misogynist mess. Take either Winnie Mandela or Dali Mpofu on as political opponents of you wish, but this is precisely the type of sexist BS our country doesn’t need more of.
— Sisonke Msimang (@Sisonkemsimang) April 3, 2019
You’re trying too hard Kanthan, this is just way below the belt even for you. This is the man you’re choosing to become? Shame on you man!
— Sihle Tuta (@SihleTuta) April 2, 2019
Everyone sees what you're trying to do to be visible and who's vote you're going after but this ain't it. Yes this is going to do the numbers you want but this is vile and uncalled for.
— Owethu (@_Owethu_) April 3, 2019
Lol man I hope they strip you from any accolades that make you think it's cool to speak of the late mother of the nation like this. Smh.
— DayStar (@____Bongo) April 3, 2019
You demean yourself, and the good name of your party by indulging in cheap personal insults. An APOLOGY would be a really good move. @purplecowmobi
— Michael Atkins (@atkinsmike1) April 3, 2019
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