Controversial student leader Mcebo Dlamini is facing criminal charges from the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD). This comes after Dlamini, now former acting president of the Wits Student Representative Council (SRC), referred to Jews as “devilsâ€, saying that “they are good for nothingâ€, “hypocritical†and “uncircumcised in heartâ€.
The comments were made on his Facebook page, and most recently on PowerFM. Surprisingly, while some concur with the university’s decision to oust him from the SRC, Dlamini and his Hitler-loving comments still have the support of many students. FIRDAUS KHAN rounds up six reasons why some students still stand by Dlamini.
1. Because he’s black. Wait … what?
Mcebo Dlamini needs our support! He has many errors, but he is Black. He needs our support!
— Tshepo Goba (@TshepoGoba) June 24, 2015
2. Everyone has the right to spew hate, apparently
Mcebo Dlamini charged for expressing an admiration of Adolf Hitler? Fuck is freedom of speech then? — Vindictive (@Phillip_Air) June 30, 2015
3. All leaders, should be supported, always
The man deserves support from the townships, he’s a leader. I fear he will be wiped out. @ShakaSisulu @Powerfm987 #MceboDlamini
— Khali African Prince (@CkMagagula) June 23, 2015
4. He is the face of the future of black youth
So Long There is Leadership with the likes of Mcebo Dlamini, Then there is a Future for a black Child. White’s #YouPlayWithWrongPeople — #BumDance (@TebaMoe) July 2, 2015
5. He did some good stuff, so we should ignore the bad stuff
Are we done tipexing Mcebo Dlamini out of the shapeshifting and Ãœber progressive 1 Million 1 Month campaign?
— Karabo Tabane (@1BrownNative) June 8, 2015
6. It’s a question of black consciousness, damnitÂ
Black people have been “containing their anger” for far too long. Let it all out #MceboDlamini. The consciously black are behind you — Diced Pineapple (@LionessCalypso) June 24, 2015
The flaws with Dlamini’s stance have already been pointed out, yet he and his supporters continue to defend this perspective vigorously.
What’s your take on Dlamini’s decision to stand by his anti-semitic statements? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.