THE CHUMP: “Lay-deees annnd Gentle-men! Innntroducing, in the blue corner, Jullllius Mahlemaaaah!! CHAMPION OF THE POOR!!! (…when he’s not splashing out on fancy mansions and five star holidays)”[via]

Thanks, Grey, for sparking the idea. (Although, apparently, a similar joke – which I’ve not heard – has been spreading around the airwaves.)

Either way, this had to be converted into a cartoon.

While certainly funny, it is slightly unprofessional for any organisation’s spokesman – the public communication channel – to swear at journalists. And it’s not surprising, unfortunately, that the ANC Youth League’s spokesman Floyd Shivambu swore at one looking for an interview with Julius Malema.

As ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema comes under the spotlight for a lavish three-day safari, spokesperson Floyd Shivambu is under fire for swearing at a journalist. The Beeld newspaper claims that Malema paid R78 000 in cash for a holiday with five friends at a five star lodge next to the Kruger Park. The luxury trip happened shortly before Malema was re-elected as ANCYL president in an election campaign which saw him repeatedly sell himself as a champion of the poor. When Media24 journalist Jacques Dommisse called Shivambu to ask to speak to Malema about the claims, the conversation turned ugly. [iafrica.com]

Before Floyd denies that he dropped multiple F-bombs onto the counter-revolutionary journalist, here is the actual telephonic conversation so that you can decide for yourself.

To be fair, Jacques wasn’t being particularly professional, either. He knew that his request was going nowhere, yet he unnecessarily provoked and aimlessly rambled for the sake of ammunition. (Of course, I’m not complaining. The more sloppy journalism material, the better!)

Update

It is “unacceptable” for anyone speaking on behalf of the ANC to swear to get their point across, ANC chairwoman Baleka Mbete said on Tuesday. “I totally disagree with any bad language being used by anybody who is communicating on behalf of any part of the ANC,” she said at a media briefing at Luthuli House. [NewsTime]

Another update

ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu has defended his verbal attack on a journalist, saying the reporter was “harassing” him. According to Independent Online, Shivambu said Media24 journalist Jacques Dommisse had earlier called him “with a very arrogant attitude”. “He continued to harass me after I had given him official comment,” Shivambu said, reportedly adding that he didn’t regret what he said. [iafrica.com]

And another update

I turned this incident into a cartoon.

Zwelinzima Vavi has, in recent weeks, clarified where COSATU stands on matters surrounding nationalisation, Julius Malema, and the president.