Recently my journalism coach was imparting some skills on how to conduct interviews successfully. One of the example he made about my approach was “if it’s not too ridiculous a picture, imagine yourself as a sheep dog and your interviewee as the lamb, hopefully not a lamb to the slaughter”
I laughed as my memory flash back to Zapiro’s last year Christmas cartoon which appeared on Sunday Times on the 21 December. In the cartoon Zapiro illustrated the bible story of the birth of Christ through ANC and its internal politics. Baby JZ is in the child basket surrounded by wholly couple made up of then interim President Kgalema Montlante and his then Deputy Baleka Mbethe with Gwede, Vavi and Blade representing ANC shepherds. Nearer the sheep was Julius the killer sheep dog. Later I was still digesting my coach’s point, in my head I was scanning through interviews I’ve heard through the media like Talk Radio, Tonight with John Pelman, So many questions column by Chris Barron of Sunday Times before Debora Patta and her interrogation methods stick. She become my representation of sheep dog (killer sheep dog) vs the lamb (3rd degree interviewees).
A week later after my coaching session Debora Patta locked horns with Julius Malema on 3rd degree in killer sheep dog vs a ram scenario. Malema appeared like a lamb which has gone to the slaughter but not just aware of what’s coming also prepared to escape unharmed. He successfully justified his much questioned life style or materialistic possession and was wise enough not to disclose his income. He spoke honestly about his personal life, the booze, later sleeps, early wake ups for his political duties and how he’s getting his acts together. But the killer sheep dog was after a prey, she looks at her opponents searching for some angle she could bring its prey down not realising that she’s facing a ram not an easy killing lamb.
Much has been written about this interview in various media & social media platform. Each side had its support and share of criticism.
Instead of repeating what is already there I want to take a close look at Julius Malema and how he plays media and politics game at his best. He raises issues in a very controversial manner, supports controversial figure like Leonard Chuene, Jacob Maroga, Siyabonga Gama etc & jump into issues which seems to be far or no relevance to the youth. Through all those he gains publicity, every media house want to hear what he said, media sections like radio stations will give him live interviews, he’ll go there as a villain but spoke eloquently, presenters and radio talk show hosts warmed up to him while is gaining grounds from the listening public.
Julius Malema seems to be reading same script president Jacob Zuma used to triumph in his bid to be the country’s head of state. Both men have made newspaper headlines for all the wrong reasons. Zuma was all over the press whether for good but mostly for wrong reasons. Even when he was acquitted of the rape trial his next stop from courtroom was the press conference. He gave his side of story, made an apology for all that has come up during the trial, gave journalists opportunity to ask questions and left them stuck in the shower over his head, travelling the country, making peace with those who felt betrayed or let down his actions and winning public confidence and support which transcended into his journey to power. That the same effects Julius Malema is having. Unlike JZ there’s no cloud of corruption hanging over his head. He may have failed wood work but he is the master of political game and the media attention is all he needs to take him higher.
We may argue till cows come home about not so intelligent manner in which he is raising issues but he’ll sprint pass us locked in arguments or stuck in his controversies while making a way becoming our next head of state.
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