I HAVE for years been trying to make sense of the conduct by some individuals, who opt to refer to people by their first names, especially those who hold positions of authority.
I have found this to be disrespectful and not in line with African values and traditions.
While this practice apparently remains a non-issue to other racial groups, to people of African origin, it means a big deal.
In fact, it is unacceptable to refer to an elder by his or her first name.
The hullabaloo surrounding the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, who took to social media, lashing those who refer to President Ramaphosa by his first name, is a case in point.
As Mboweni put it: ‘This referring to the president by his first name must stop now. Stop it. President Ramaphosa, not Cyril. Get it, media,’ he tweeted.
He went on to say the Rwandan media did not refer to their president by his first name, saying: ‘In Kigali, we refer to President Kagame, not as Paul! Hayibo! Please, people!’
I, however, find the response by social media users to Mboweni’s plea a bit disturbing, to say the least.
Instead of engaging him constructively, they went on the attack, accusing him of singing for his supper.
They accused him of trying to score cheap political points to make it to the new cabinet, which was as yet still to be announced by President Ramaphosa.
This conduct, however, is not only demonstrated by the media but society in general.
Calling a person by his or her first name is far from fostering a culture of respect in my view, let alone of that person who holds the highest position in the community.
This is how I was raised.
A few years back, while attending an Integrated Development Programme event in Ulundi, as a reporter, which was presented by the then Mayor of Zululand District Municipality, Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, this issue took centre stage.
This was at the time when Mayor kaMagwaza-Msibi, in her address, praised Zululand businessman and philanthropist, Ishwar Ramlutchman for his contribution to nation building and always being available to assist the rural municipality.
She called him by his first name, a move which somehow angered and prompted IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to intervene in the programme, by correcting the former mayor.
Buthelezi, who was a guest of honour at the event, stood up to the amazement of all and repeatedly said to kaMagwaza-Msibi: ‘Remember that Ishwar is his first name! Ishwar is his first name, so you can’t address him like that.’
In her response kaMagwaza-Msibi said: ‘This shows that uMntwana (Prince Buthelezi) is not only my leader but is also my teacher.’
The same could be said about His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini, whom many still refer to by his first name.
Again, I still find it unacceptable to refer to the King by his first name.
Respect is earned and thus should be given.
Regardless of who the person being referred to is, their position and status must be respected; and it begins with the simple act of properly addressing him or her by the correct name.
