Zuma ‘is a problem, but he is not THE problem’

The #BlackMonday initiative started on social media has caused a stir, triggering conflicting arguments, with some arguing that the “only” reason white people are involved in the campaign is “because their privilege is at stake”.

The initiators on the hashtag called on South Africans to wear black in reaction to the growing concern over President Jacob Zuma’s recent Cabinet reshuffling. There are those who feel the campaign is worth a while, while others just feel like it’s “hypocrisy”.

They argue that there were no such hashtags during the 2012 Marikana massacre, taxi rape, Esidimeni massacre, Spur racism and other incidents that affect only black people.

Nigerian-born social activist Lovelyn Nwadeyi took to Facebook to air her views on the initiative. She argues that Zuma “is a problem, but he is not THE problem”. Nwadeyi gave seven reasons why she would not wear black on Monday:

1. I wear black everyday

2. My skin, my black body will not be an accessory to your convenient ‘protest’.

3. I can be anti-Gupta and anti-Ruperts at the same time so don’t make this about your selective accountability and selective outrage

4. I am concerned about the yardstick for justice on this country. Do we only rally for justice when it affects one person or when it affects all? Surely justice is about ‘even the least of these’?

5. Marikana, FeesMustFall, Academic Exclusion, Historical Debt, Taxi Rape, ZilleColonialism, SpurGate, Whitewashed churches, Lack of Sanitation in Townships, Esidimeni, Unaffordable Gentrified Housing is not enough to get you out on the street but heaven forbid your wealth is affected.

6. Zuma is a problem but he is not THE problem.

7. Somewhere in South Africa today, a black woman ironed a white baas black suit and white madame’s black dress for your crappy #BlackMonday.

Another social activist, Nigel Branken, wrote on Facebook: “White people who don’t fight for the other issues don’t get to suddenly argue, as you do above, that this will affect poor people,” adding: “The ONLY reason they are involved is because their privilege is at stake. If they cared about poor people they would be protesting about the other issues.”

Branken was responding to one social media user by the name of Meryl Bailey, who argued: “A downgrade to junk status (which is what this decision to axe Gordhan will do) will affect ‘even the least of these’ – the cost of living will go up and it will affect the poor the most. Small businesses that provide employment will go under, and there will be more job loss. The other campaigns are just as important, but is your argument that we do nothing about this rogue president? That because this might bring a few more white faces to protest that it’s not important?”

Branken said: “Monopoly capital must fall. Johan Rupert, Christo Wiese and Nicky Oppenheimer and the like have raped the country in far worse ways for longer than you and I have been alive, but I have never seen you change your profile pic to a black flag for that… why?

“If we get downgraded to junk status it will not be because of Jacob Zuma (as corrupt as he may be) rather it will be because privileged people have never felt that a just economy where everyone has enough is important for our economic sustainability!”

Motion of no confidence

The EFF and DA has since called on speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete requesting that she convene a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma.

The speaker said she would have to consult with ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“Once the consultation process is concluded, my Office will duly write to all the parties involved to advise them of the outcome.”