South Africa's Jacob Zuma: Pet dogs are part of 'white culture'
South African President
Jacob Zuma celebrates on Dec. 18 after he was reelected for a second
term by the African National Congress.
(EPA / December 27, 2012)
|
JOHANNESBURG--South Africa's often controversial president, Jacob Zuma, emboldened after being strongly voted in for a second term as president this month, told black South Africans they should never try to behave like whites.
Buying a pet dog is part of "white culture," said Zuma, a staunch traditionalist, wading into South Africa's often tense debate on race in his first speech after being reelected by the African National Congress. So are taking dogs for walks and spending money on veterinarians when the animals are sick, he said Wednesday in a speech in Impendle, in KwaZulu-Natal, according to a report in the Star newspaper.
Zuma accused some people of caring more for their dogs than people and said they lacked humanity.
The South African president's remarks were controversial because the ANC policy is supposed to support a nonracial, nonsexist democracy.
He warned young blacks not to try to emulate whites, telling them they would lose the respect of fellow black South Africans.
He said young black women who straightened their hair were also trying to be like whites. Hair straightening is common in South Africa, and many other parts of the continent, and most South African supermarkets sell many varieties of hair relaxers designed to straighten hair.
“Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white,” Zuma said in the speech, which ignited a storm in the media and on Twitter.
He said the African way was to concentrate on family and not pets. When there were marital problems, couples should turn to their families and not to religious leaders, he said.
One South African newspaper, the Mail and Guardian, ran a column under the headline, "Zuma goes barking mad."
Some black South Africans, including a trade union council boss and Zuma critic, Zwelinzima Vavi, reacted by posting photographs of themselves with their dogs, or tweeted how much they loved their canine best friends.
Some posted photographs of President Barack Obama with his dog.
Award-winning South African novelist, poet and playwright Zakes Mda posted an old photograph on Twitter of revered former president Nelson Mandela grinning happily as a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog jumped on him, saying that according to Zuma, Mandela was "un-African."
"There are many different ways of being African. Of being black even. Those who love animals are not less African/black than those who don't," Mda said in another tweet. "Africanness is diverse and varied. It cannot be universalized from one perspective of a tribal man from one small corner of Africa."
It's not the first time Zuma has made controversial comments. In August he said in a TV interview that it was important women get married and have children, to give them "training."
“I wouldn’t want to stay with daughters who are not getting married. You’ve got to have kids. Kids are important to a woman because they actually give an extra training to a woman, to be a mother,” he said at the time, referring to his daughter's marriage.
In 2006, when he went on trial for allegedly raping a family friend, he said he could tell she wanted sex because she was wearing a short skirt. He was acquitted, but was criticized for having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person.
Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj released a statement Wednesday saying Zuma's speech was a message to black people to uphold and promote their own culture.
"The essential message from the president was the need to decolonize the African mind post-liberation to enable the previously oppressed African majority to appreciate and love who they are and uphold their own culture.
They should not feel pressured to be assimilated into the minority cultures," Maharaj said.
A small opposition party,
the Christian Democratic party, issued a statement warning Zuma's
second term would be "even more sectarian and divisive" than his first,
the South African Press Assn. reported.
"This playing up of one culture against another, describing them, not as different, but rather that one has superior moral values to the other, is totally unacceptable and counterproductive," said party leader Theunis Botha.
But Zuma also had some supporters. Young Communist League spokesman
Khaya Xaba said in a tweet that a "rich man's dog gets more in the way
of vaccination, medicine and medical care than do the workers upon whom
the rich man's wealth is built.""This playing up of one culture against another, describing them, not as different, but rather that one has superior moral values to the other, is totally unacceptable and counterproductive," said party leader Theunis Botha.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zuma comments cause canine chaos
2012-12-27 22:23
Jacob Zuma (Picture: AFP)
Johannesburg - It was a dog-eat-dog world on Twitter on Thursday as people argued over President Jacob Zuma's comments that caring for a pet dog was part of "white" culture.
While a flurry of users seemed indignant that Zuma didn't name Jock of the Bushveld his favourite four-legged South African or ask Lassie to come home, many others agreed with the president's sentiments.
One user, YanelaJ, said Zuma's comments were accurate: "How many blacks vs whites do u c walking/running dogs..don't count domestic worker?"
Young Communist League spokesperson Khaya Xaba tweeted that a "rich man's dog gets more in the way of vaccination, medicine and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man's wealth is built".
The Star reported on Thursday that Zuma, in a speech given at Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal, had said that spending money to buy a dog and taking it to the vet and for walks, belonged to "white" culture.
Zwelinzima Vavi tweets
He was also reported to have said that those who loved dogs more than people had "a lack of humanity".
The presidency later sent out a statement in which it explained that Zuma was only trying to "decolonise the African mind" with his statements.
Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said that Zuma wanted "to enable the previously oppressed African majority to appreciate and love who they are".
Meanwhile on Twitter, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi tweeted a picture of himself with his Boerboel "Superhero" and his Jack Russell "Maradona".
Some tweeters gently suggested that "Superhero" was a bit on the chubby side, but Vavi reassured his followers that he has managed to get the Boerboel's weight down since the photograph was taken.
Vavi also mentioned that he had given ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe a puppy years ago. "He keeps dogs too," tweeted Vavi.
Nevertheless, Vavi said that he was not offended by Zuma's comments. "As an animal lover & proudly black I don't feel insulted by that comment - I do have compassion for humans too!!" However, internationally renowned author Zakes Mda refuted the essentialism behind Zuma's statement.
Culture
"There are many ways of being African. Of being black even. Those who love animals are not less African than those who don't."
Journalist Reuben Goldberg suggested that South Africans buy Zuma a dog "and name it #Nkandla".
Even "Bazil the Bulldog" gave his opinion into the matter, tweeting: "Zuma needs a history check, as the Africanis breed of dogs have been the companions of Southern Africa's San Bushmen since 800 AD..."
Ayanda Mlotshwa questioned Zuma's linking of race and dog ownership, stating: "I'm black & I love my dog. He's part of my family. We've always had dogs in my family. Can't imagine life without them."
A number of people also tweeted an old photograph of former president Nelson Mandela beaming alongside a jubilant canine companion.
The Christian Democratic party sent out a statement in which they said it appeared from his remarks that Zuma's second term would be "even more sectarian and divisive" than his first.
"This playing up of one culture against another, describing them, not as different, but rather that one has superior moral values to the other, is totally unacceptable and counterproductive," said party leader Theunis Botha.
While a flurry of users seemed indignant that Zuma didn't name Jock of the Bushveld his favourite four-legged South African or ask Lassie to come home, many others agreed with the president's sentiments.
One user, YanelaJ, said Zuma's comments were accurate: "How many blacks vs whites do u c walking/running dogs..don't count domestic worker?"
Young Communist League spokesperson Khaya Xaba tweeted that a "rich man's dog gets more in the way of vaccination, medicine and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man's wealth is built".
The Star reported on Thursday that Zuma, in a speech given at Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal, had said that spending money to buy a dog and taking it to the vet and for walks, belonged to "white" culture.
Zwelinzima Vavi tweets
He was also reported to have said that those who loved dogs more than people had "a lack of humanity".
The presidency later sent out a statement in which it explained that Zuma was only trying to "decolonise the African mind" with his statements.
Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said that Zuma wanted "to enable the previously oppressed African majority to appreciate and love who they are".
Meanwhile on Twitter, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi tweeted a picture of himself with his Boerboel "Superhero" and his Jack Russell "Maradona".
Some tweeters gently suggested that "Superhero" was a bit on the chubby side, but Vavi reassured his followers that he has managed to get the Boerboel's weight down since the photograph was taken.
Vavi also mentioned that he had given ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe a puppy years ago. "He keeps dogs too," tweeted Vavi.
Nevertheless, Vavi said that he was not offended by Zuma's comments. "As an animal lover & proudly black I don't feel insulted by that comment - I do have compassion for humans too!!" However, internationally renowned author Zakes Mda refuted the essentialism behind Zuma's statement.
Culture
"There are many ways of being African. Of being black even. Those who love animals are not less African than those who don't."
Journalist Reuben Goldberg suggested that South Africans buy Zuma a dog "and name it #Nkandla".
Even "Bazil the Bulldog" gave his opinion into the matter, tweeting: "Zuma needs a history check, as the Africanis breed of dogs have been the companions of Southern Africa's San Bushmen since 800 AD..."
Ayanda Mlotshwa questioned Zuma's linking of race and dog ownership, stating: "I'm black & I love my dog. He's part of my family. We've always had dogs in my family. Can't imagine life without them."
A number of people also tweeted an old photograph of former president Nelson Mandela beaming alongside a jubilant canine companion.
The Christian Democratic party sent out a statement in which they said it appeared from his remarks that Zuma's second term would be "even more sectarian and divisive" than his first.
"This playing up of one culture against another, describing them, not as different, but rather that one has superior moral values to the other, is totally unacceptable and counterproductive," said party leader Theunis Botha.
- SAPA
25 Heroic Dogs and How They Saved People
People have always seemed to have a soft spot for heroic dogs. Whether it's TV classics like Lassie or heart-warming family films like Homeward Bound, the idea of dogs rescuing their human masters (or even complete strangers) captures our love and affection as few other things do. So it's only natural to love hearing about dogs who save people in real life! Here are 25 true accounts of dogs who saved people from perilous circumstances.1) Brutis
Said the committee who awarded the medal, "when we give an award like this, we're looking for something extra, something that would make people wonder why a dog would do what he did."
2) Zoey
3) Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a miserable occurance for everyone down south,
but inspiring stories of heroism have helped give victims something to
smile about. That's certainly the case with Katrina, the ironically
named black labrador who saved a drowning man
before rising flood waters claimed his life. The dog, who was later
rescued herself by rescue teams, was honored at that year's Genesis
Awards with a standing ovation.4) Shana
In a Fox News story titled "Half-Breed Wolf Dog Hero Rescues Elderly Owners From Snowstorm", readers learn the heroic tale of Shana,
a half wolf dog/half German shepard who saved an elderly couple from a
treacherous snow storm. When Shana found Norman and Eve trapped by
snow, she went to work, diligently digging out a tunnel through which
she would pull the couple back to the safety of their home. 5) Maya
You don't get to be the 2008 Dog of the Year for nothing, and this
pooch is no exception. Maya took home this year's honors for courageously saving Angela Marcelino, her owner, from a vicious male attacker.
The pitbull's act of bravery earned some high praise from the Animal
Miracle foundation, who was happy to report that "the pitbull breed can
be hero dogs just like any other breed."6) Moti
2007's Dog of the Year winner was Moti, the five year old German Shepherd who literally took a bullet
for his human family. When a masked intruder made his way into the
Patel household, Moti wasted little time, leaping to his feet and
barking to draw the gunman's attention. Faced with the angry pooch, the
gunman shot him and ran off without harming any of the Patels.
Luckily, this furry hero is making a full recovery!7) Honey
Honey was the 2006 Dog of the Year, an award she earned by saving
her owner from a violent car accident. When she and Michael Bosch found
their SUV rolled over and stuck upside down in a deep ravine, Bosch was
trapped and knew that Honey was his only hope. With all his strength,
he managed to release the dog and hope that she would somehow find
help. Sure enough, the then 5 month old English Cocker Spaniel
got the attention of a man about a half-mile away and brought him to
the scene of the accident. Rescuers concluded that had it not been for
this, Bosch would have died.8) Napoleon
Cats and dogs are always made out to be enemies, but this not always so! Enter Napoleon, the English Bulldog who defied the poor swimming skills of his breed
to swim deep out into a lake and rescue a burlap sack containing 6
abandoned kittens! While two of the kittens didn't make it, the other
four were nursed back to health, leading to a hero's welcome for
Napoleon back at the local adoption center. 9) Hero
Said Jones, "He didn't let go until I was clear. He knew exactly what he was doing."
10) Eve
Everyone loves those heart-pounding movie scenes where the hero
escapes a burning pit seconds before it explodes, but it's not so fun in
real life. That's what Kathie, a paralyzed parapalegic, learned when
her Rotweiller (Eve) pulled her by the ankles from her burning, smoldering truck.
Upon pulling Kathie out, Eve proceeded to drag her to a nearby ditch,
just far enough away to avoid the explosion of her vehicle. After firemen cleared the scene, Eve was awarded the Stillman Award for her bravery.
11) Ginny
Is Ginny a traitor to canine's everywhere, or an undisputed hero?
The 300 cats who attended her memorial service would probably say the
latter, paying homage to a dog who endangered herself on multiple
occasions to save dying or stranded cats from peril. On one
particularly remarkable occasion, Ginny threw herself against a
vertical pipe at a construction site so that it would topple and the
stranded cats inside could escape. Another time, Ginny suffered severe
cuts on her paws to find an injured cat inside a box of broken glass.12) Trakr
13) Shelby
"In my eyes, and in the eyes of my family, Shelby is more than a hero; she is a lifesaver, a guardian angel," said Joleen Walderbach.
14) Rocky
A Lakewood, Colorado police dog, Rocky made headlines in 2002 for chasing down a burglar, taking a bullet in the process
and ultimately helping to capture the 20 year old thug. According to
Darren Mauer, the dog's officer/partner, the bullet to Rocky's paw
never slowed him down. "He was the same dog after as he was before."15) Blue
16) Patty
Blue's runner up to the 2001 award was Patty, a yellow lab retreiver
who saved her owner from drowning while on a winter duck hunting
excursion. After Ray Fogg's boat capsized and dumped the two into frigid
North Atlantic waters, Patty allowed him to grab hold of her tail
while she vigorously doggy-paddled against the powerful current. They
made it all the way to the nearest land, where they were rescued by
game wardens later on that evening.17) Neo
This 11 month old Siberian husky
earned his hero stripes by getting human help for his imperiled owner,
Marci Snead. When Snead (a diabetic with fibromyalsia and rheumatoid
arthritis) went into hypoglycemic shock, Neo ran to the nearest
building. There, he grabbed the attention of several people who
followed Neo back to where Snead had fallen. Within moments, an
ambulance was called and the women carted off to a nearby hospital,
where she recovered completely. 18) Kankuntu
It's not every day that a dog saves its family from armed pirates at
sea, but amazingly, that's exactly what Kankuntu did. When Peter Lee
found himself about to be hijacked on his 41 foot yacht by armed
pursuers, the dog (who "thinks he's a lion") leapt right into action,
furiously attacking the gunmen until one of them shot and stabbed the
pooch between his shoulder blades. Amazingly, the dog was nursed back
to the health and the family continued with their voyage.19) Junior
Don't let the name fool you; there was nothing "junior" or small
about this dog's effort. As fire tore through the Davilmar household in
the middle of the night, the 14 month old shihtzu mix started barking and did not relent until everyone (including the family's half-dozen visiting relatives) was awake and out of the house.20) Belle
In a nearly unbelievably story titled "Dog Makes Cell Phone Call to Save Owner's Life",
readers learn about Belle, a beagle who literally bit "911" into Kevin
Weaver's cell phone after the diabetic man collapsed from a seizure.
Said Weaver, "there's no doubt in my mind that I'd be dead if I didn't
have Belle", who became the first canine to win VITA's Wireless
Samaritan Award. Evidently, the pooch had been trained to bite down on
the phone's keypad in the event of an emergency!21) Toby
MSNBC tells the story of Toby, a golden retriever who heroically
saved owner Debbie Parkhurst from choking to death on an apple in her
Maryland home. When it became apparent that she was choking, the dog
leapt hard onto her chest and forced the lodged morsel to come loose
from her throat. For his efforts, Toby took home a share of the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' "Dog of the
Year" award in 2007. 22) Nyla
Nyla is another dog that risked her own life to save her human owner from the threat of fire.
When Sheila found herself surrounded by smoke and flames, unable to
see in front of her, Nyla courageously buided her toward a nearby door,
barking whenever Sheila lost track of her. While her home and
belongings were destroyed, Sheila was guided to safety, noting that
"Nyla could have left anytime. Instead, she chose to stay and risk her
own life and face death to save me."23) Roselle
24) Nellie
All dogs are known for their super-sharp hearing, but most of them
don't win awards for it. But when Nellie, a 4 year old black lab, used her high powered ears to detect an intruder
in time to save her severely deaf owner, it would've been a crime to
give the Heroic Hearing Dog of the Year award to anyone else! The
charity that trained Nellie couldn't have been more proud. 25) Kaze
Kaze earned top honors from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Department
for saving the life of a woman in her late 20's, reported missing a few
days earlier. On his first-ever rescue mission, Kaze located the
missing woman under a bridge, in a coma that authorities later reported
that would have killed her within the hour if she had not been found.
Luckily, the woman was rushed to a hospital, where she recovered after a
week's time. 
Search This Site
Advertisements
Dog Resources
Raising Your Dog
Dogs By Size
Dogs By Group
