Turning up the heat in the presidential pants
In last night’s episode of 3rd, Debora Patta turned up the heat by inspecting the African tradition and culture that apparently has been practiced over centuries. The major question of the show was: Isn’t it time African people do away with polygamy because it does no good to anyone, let alone the economy.
President Jacob Zuma is happy to marry again at the tax payer's expense
The show started with a history of President Jacob Zuma’s wives tree and his alleged rape of a daughter’s friend. We also saw him taking oath that he shall serve the country, uphold its constitution and serve the needs of the people. Then came inserts of his traditional wedding to Thobeka Madiba in January which was the pinnacle of the show. Another highlight of Mr President’s sexual escapades was his unprotected sex with Sonono Khoza, who is the daughter of his friend and chairman of the LOC of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, who is none other than Irvin Khoza.
Conclusions that could be drawn here was that President Zuma enjoys having unprotected sexual encounters with his friends’ daughters. It also further demonstrates, as per opposition parties, that President Zuma has no respect for HIV policies which emphasise the need to practice safe sex and being faithful to your partner. It can be argued that President Zuma has got no respect for women because if he does, he would be a great role model to any one who cares to look up to him for inspiration. His sexual life has received more media coverage than service delivery of his government.
With over 20 kids and counting, President Zuma’s wives are entitled to luxury houses, medical aid, clothes, food, business class air travel and many more. Meanwhile, you and I are footing the bill.
An insert of a Durbanite polygamist who’s married to two women and has managed to build two houses for them was also flighted. The first wife admitted to initially having a problem and hurt when she learnt from a neighbour that her sweetheart was taking s second wife.
With pastoral counsel, she came to terms with her man’s decision and learnt to live with it. She now says she’s happy that she knows if her husband isn’t with her, he’s with the other woman. The other woman had no problem being a second wife because she knew about it.
Gender and cultural analyst Nomboniso Gasa was the expert guest and took on a polygamist in studio with Debora Patta asking probing questions. The polygamist said he wouldn’t encourage anyone to practice polygamy because it comes with stress and financial implications. He claimed that he was trapped to be a polygamist because he comes from a family of the same reputation. He said he neither condones nor condemns polygamy but said people should refrain from practicing it.
Ms Gasa pointed out that polygamy was basically legalized to accommodate women who were already married before South Africa could become a democratic country since the apartheid government excluded them in the constitution. She stated that, the amendment (1998) wasn’t made to entrench polygamy but to protect women who were already in polygamous marriages.
Debora and Gasa asserted that it’s high time our society do away with polygamy because, culture and tradition evolve over time and some practices are done away with.
President Zuma was also shown ridiculed in a World Economic Forum about his polygamous and irresponsible sexual behaviour. He was also interviewed on a CNN news channel about it and was very quick to say it’s his culture and no one’s culture should be condemned.
If South Africans remember correctly, culture emphasizes the need for marriage before sexual encounters’ and in the very same African culture, is an abomination to allegedly rape or have sex with your friend’s daughter since she’s also your own daughter.
In closing, Deborah Patta said: “We feel this is a practice that’s outdated and essentially degrades women”.
That’s all I have time for, do join me again next week for more investigative and thought-provoking journalism. I’m Makisto, TVSA news, Gauteng.