A Note to Mr. Malema

I usually avoid the subject of politics for two reasons:

1. I don't fully know the ins and outs of South African politics.
2. Everyone has their own opinions, which are usually impassioned, and I don't want to start a heated debate.

HOWEVER, I cannot leave the remarks of Julius Malema, president of the ANCYL (African National Congress Youth League) uncommented upon. Malema called Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape province a "cockroach that must be removed." Everyone in Africa knows that the term "cockroach" was used by the Hutus to incite the slaughter of Tutsis in the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

You might be wondering, "What did Helen Zille do to make Julius Malema so upset?" Her crime is to belong to the opposition party, the Democratic Alliance. Western Province is also the only province not controlled by the ANC.

So I have this to say to Julius Malema:

Mr. Malema, you don't have to agree with Ms. Zille's politics, but you should treat everyone with the respect and dignity you demand for yourself. You are in a position of leadership, and you should use that influence to foster a spirit of unity and reconciliation among this nation. Follow the footsteps of your political forebears and promote a spirit of cooperation and forgiveness. Otherwise you will stand in the way of this country's progress, healing, and greatness.