JUSTICE MALALA: Jacob Zuma — The sound of no hands clapping
'When he enters a room the MC has to instruct people to stand up'
If you have ever attended a state function then you will be familiar with the practice: The master of ceremonies announces that “the dignitaries” are about to enter and so “please stand up for the president/premier etc”. The gathering then stands up, claps for the man of the hour and he — with his entourage — will swoop in and plonk themselves at their table. I have seen this happen many times at functions. The applause is perfunctory. I once asked an events organiser why it was necessary to stand up for the MEC for transport of the Free State — where the roads are in a shocking state — and was told it is “protocol”. I wonder where this piece of protocol comes from. Without doubt in Swaziland the masses stand up when their priapic, kleptocratic king swans in. That is a “royalty” thing, handed down from centuries past. But in democratic systems? What is that about? Then there are other times when the standing and the clapping is not perfunctory or jaded or a duty. I have been in roo...
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