Wayne > Interesting point. What were they trying to achieve? Certainly, they got far more publicity from the way things turned out than just a memorandum of agreement to disagree.

Meghashyam C > It did. Ever so exciting, isn’t it?

cathwrynn> I’m not sure I agree. Yes, his behaviour was obnoxious, abusive and uncalled for, but in Mr Visagie’s defence (did I really just write that?), I think he’s probably being more aggressive to Pheko because she was the one who pissed him off, rather than any deep-seated anger towards the female of the species. No?

However if looked at from a feminist perspective, even the male journo defending the ‘poor’ (helpless- my own interpretation) woman shows how much work there is to be done in relating across prejudice. Mr Visagie’s tone of voice was deeply disrespectful of her. He threatened her as only a man who believes that women and children are intrinsically beneath him can. The pointing finger, the standing up and leaning over; all intended to show who is boss. “I’m not finished with you.” What a thing to say! Did anyone notice how his tone of voice improves comparatively when speaking to a the male journo near the end? Shocking but sickeningly familiar. Hopefully seeing it on TV like that will help people to question what is a daily experience of south african culture for some of us.

Please note that my lack of comment on her/ his/ their professionalism etc is not approval of anyone involved- the woman included. Its lack of space/time to make my point. I just hoped to contribute a perspective on the violent tone and content of behaviour between male and female that this example shows. And this is on national TV no less- what happens in people’s homes? Do you think anyone would have restrained themselves?

I wish South Africa Politics the best..May it get better then. This was indeed too much.
.-= Meghashyam C´s last blog ..AFEX! =-.

When reviewing this debate im not sure what they where wanting to achieve. The AWB wants to be seperate from the rest of SA because they feel they have different Heritage, Culture, Religion and believes….no matter how much you debate it its not going to change their view points. I do think they are a bit crazy as everyone in south africa is from has diffirent Heritage, Culture, Religion and believes…thats why its a rainbow nation. Just imagine if each culture wanted his own “state” inside south africa.

I hear that Mr.Visagie also went on TV without the knowing of the current leader of the AWB…Sounds like Mr Visagie might be out of line here…How can you officially speak for a group if the leaders of the group does not even known about it?

I still think E-TV should have been prepared for this type of reaction…

Alexa > I see where you are coming from, but a couple of points.
I have never suggested that what Julius Malema is doing currently is in anyway helpful (see my comment here: http://synapses.co.za/boer-is-dead/#comment-335), but I disagree that the country is necessarily more divided than recently. While these events are sad and potentially concerning, they also bring out the positive in the nation. Those who hadn’t spoken out before are speaking out. While the people who choose to take sides may be further apart, there are suddenly a lot of people voicing their unity as well.

Finally – it’s not me putting nails in the AWB coffin – they’re doing that themselves. They represent a tiny, tiny proportion of people in this country and they would do well to remember that.