A South African surprise

Hi jane as a South African (living in the UK for 17 years) I can attest to the fact that European politics are tame by comparison.

A demonstration march in South Africa can be quite a scary experience, even a peaceful one, there is always so much emotion. I've been in the middle of a not-so-peaceful one too, in the 1990s when the Nationalist government was the target and I worked at a left-wing University.

Whatever it takes, Zuma must go. Nelson Mandela must be turning in his grave.

Do you mean this is the first time white people have marched against Zuma? It's certainly not the first time whites and blacks have marched together in SA. There have always been white members and MPs of the ANC and some died or were imprisoned for their support during the apartheid years. It's good to see the protests against Zuma either way though - let's hope he goes. petra are you criticising high profile black actors and singers in the US for not supporting the civil rights movement. Try reading 'Stars for Freedom: Hollywood, Black Celebrities and the Civil Rights Movement' by Professor Emilie Raymond. Why on earth did you think it was necessary to make such a cheap, ill informed shot on this subject? And anyway, in most fights for rights and freedom, the majority keep their heads down for a variety of reasons - both the well known and the 'ordinary' people.

Maybe this might be the game changer in South Africa Re the white population protesting.
It wasn't until the white population in the USA woke up and supported the civil rights movement that things started to change. It's a shame that many high profile black actors/ singers didn't get involved before, but then they would probably say that it would have ruined their career.