No Madiba Magic?

You would think with the 2010 Football World Cup just around the corner, the talk of the day would be football. However the topic on everyone's lips this morning is who might or might not be present at the games. The mighty Madiba, icon to all South Africans, is 91 years old, this may not be new news to you but let's think about that for a second. 91. Enduring the struggle, being in prison for 27 years and leading this country into a democracy is more than most us will ever experience in a lifetime. That's bound to make someone 91 years old tired. The ANC says Nelson Mandela will be at the World Cup opening game, his family says he won't, and his foundation won't comment.

I understand that with an event like this a little Madiba Magic would be more than welcomed but his grandson has stated that what people need to consider now is his health and I agree. We cant expect him to be everywhere, at everything, all the time. I say, give the guy a rest, set him up in the TV room in front of the enormous flat screen , ensure that his every need is catered for and let him enjoy the games from the comfort of his own home. He supports Bafana Bafana wholeheartedly I'm sure, so whether he's there or not, the Madiba magic will still be there.

On a good note though, our brand ambassador Matthew Booth met with Madiba yesterday and has posted some exclusive content on Hummba about his time at the Mandela Foundation. He must have been honored! And we're honored to get an inside look!
Check it out, you won't want to miss it!

As for the 2010 Football World Cup, the whole of South Africa is behind Bafana Bafana and even though some of us can't be there in person, don't doubt for a second that we wont be there in spirit!

Zuma's Got Vooma

He might be middle aged and the president of a country but that hasn't stopped Jacob Zuma from tying the knot. Yet again. His traditional wedding had him dressed in animal skins and singing and dancing, customary behaviour at Zulu and Xhosa weddings. Who knew that with his reputation, he'd still be such a catch. I mean, look at George W Bush (the sequel), he wasn't even charged with rape and still no one wants to do him.

Zuma's traditional wedding has been criticised as being one small step to setting the record for the most wives while in office and one giant leap into the dark ages. The circumstances beg the question...can culture and globalisation live happily ever after? Who's moral conduct are we being modelled against? Is it even a question of morals?

One thing is for sure, I'm not taking any relationship advice from Jacob Zuma. Thumbs up to him for being all traditional but I have to wonder how his somewhat antiquated ideals and filters will affect how he runs this country. Can we really have a country free of gender bias when our president can marry as many wives as he likes? Culturally it signifies discrimination against women. Sorry, but that's a fact.

Not only that, but old Zuma has fathered a number of children from his numerous wives. In a country and on a continent riddled with HIV and a smorgasbord of STD's, again, what does having so many sexual partners say to a majority who have not yet accepted the reality of Aids? Till death us do part - obviously. Can he really be a father to many families, a husband to many wives and a leader of this country? The short answer is yes but can he do a good job of it? Short answer? No. Something will have to give. No one has that kind of time.

Ah but the masses love him. What a great guy, the 'people's president.' Pity that the people can't see the bigger picture. We called the 2009 elections 'the' election to signify democracy in this country. No, not democracy I don't think more than ‘Africanism.’ He's our first democratically elected president to be quite so African. Madiba, Mbeki - they were politicians. I still have my doubts about old Zuma. He's amicable and friendly but can he lead South Africa into a new era? I think he'll just make sure all the sheep and goats go to the right folk and just be married.

Mazel tov.