While the Jewish Board of Deputies seems to have put the issue of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fatima Hajaig’s alleged anti-Semitic statements behind it, the issue does beg the question: Why on earth is she a deputy minister anyway?
Surely a deputy minister in this ministry should at least be schooled in the most rudimentary aspects of diplomacy? Who writes her speeches, or was it mere rabble-rousing to a partisan crowd?
Hajaig has apparently been given a dressing down by President Kgalema Motlanthe, and “expressed her deep regret to the president for making the statement”, said government spokesperson Themba Maseko.
At a pro-Palestine rally on January 14, Hajaig reportedly said the United States and most Western countries were “in the hands of Jewish money”, and largely controlled by “Zionists”.
This, by any stretch of the imagination, is ignorant and offensive, but what is perhaps more offensive is that her comments seem to have found a measure of support in South Africa. Whatever your views on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this can be no excuse to perpetuate conspiracy theories.
Apology or no, this minister will be closely watched for any sign of bias in the future.
| FULL SPEED AHEAD |
NOT SO FAST |
Kgalema Motlanthe
Motlanthe acted swiftly this week in reprimanding Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fatima Hajaig over alleged ant-Semitic remarks she made at a rally last month. This led to Hajaig apologising, and helped quell the storm of controversy that erupted following the comments. |
 Linda Mti
Facilities management group Bosasa lavished flights and luxury hotel stays on former prisons boss Linda Mti — while it landed prisons contracts worth more than R1-billion. Is this the right man to head up security for the 2010 local organising committee? |
Most-read stories
January 29 to February 4 2009
1. Prisons graft: Here’s the proof, minister
On Sunday the Department of Correctional Services placed expensive advertisements in three national newspapers, urging anyone with proof of impropriety in the awarding of prisons’ contracts to inform South Africa’s law-enforcement agencies. This week we present the proof.
2. MDC takes the plunge
Zimbabwe MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said on Friday he will join a unity government with Zanu-PF leader Robert Mugabe, almost a year after disputed polls that plunged the country into crisis.
3. He’s central … he’s the face of the ANC
The ANC is adamant that ruling party president Jacob Zuma will be its presidential candidate, even though he is having to divide his time between the high court and the hustings during the party’s toughest election campaign. Mmanaledi Mataboge asks housing minister and ANC national executive committee member Lindiwe Sisulu why.
4. Car of the Year finalists: What’s hot and what’s not
Nine cars, three days, and just one winner. The evaluation of the nine finalists in the 2009 South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ (SAGMJ) Wesbank Car of the Year competition by the guild’s panel of jurors is now over, and it’s up to the auditors to confirm the tallies before the result is announced in March.
5. Obama presses South Africa on Zimbabwe
United States President Barack Obama spoke by phone with President Kgalema Motlanthe and said Pretoria had an important role to play in helping resolve Zimbabwe’s political crisis, the White House said on Wednesday.
6. ‘I hope he fails’
When Barack Obama became president there were celebrations around the world. Car horns were honked in Mexico City, thousands gathered to watch the inauguration on big screens in Liverpool and Leeds, feasts were held in Kenya.
7. Storm rages over anti-Semitic comments
The storm of controversy unleashed by South African Deputy Foreign Minister Fatima Hajaig’s anti-Semitic comments is showing no sign of abating.
8. Cosatu: Motlanthe’s approach to Zim ‘disappointing’
President Kgalema Motlanthe is no different from former president Thabo Mbeki in his position on the Zimbabwe issue, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Thursday.
9. MDC holds paper over cracks
Morgan Tsvangirai is struggling to hold warring allies together and this week moved to win over critical Western diplomats ahead of a crucial decision by the MDC national council on the power-sharing agreement.
10. The sound and the fury
There has been much sound and fury over the conduct and comments of political leaders around women and sex. Julius Malema talked about date rape and pregnant teens, then revelations about Kgalema Motlanthe’s private life set the blogs ablaze. Nicole Johnston, Thembelihle Tshabalala, Nosimilo Ndlovu and Monako Dibetle took to the streets to feel the people’s pulse