Shutdown a monumental flop

THE much vaunted, much publicised country shutdown was a monumental flop. Definitely not the “most successful protest in South African history” as the wannabe revolutionary Malema would want us to believe – just the opposite. Protests hardly ever, if ever, achieve anything. A protest is only possibly effective if it has thousands of people taking part in a mass demonstration. Monday’s shutdown did not achieve anything – diddly squat.

The turnout was poor. In Durban, protesters were unhappy for not receiving lunch and refreshments. Shame! A few skirmishes here and there, but for the main it was business as usual. The protest was humiliating for the two-bit politician after all the media hype.

Malema is a good media manipulator, but extremely poor at organising real support and winning votes. His authoritarian populist approach is based on threats, intimidation and big talk – all hot air.

I was surprised to see Malema holding hands with Carl Niehaus, the ANC dropout. This show of friendship would put most people off the EFF, including some of its own members, and will not enhance his poor reputation in any way.

South Africa was definitely not brought to a standstill as predicted. A damp squib to say the least, and extremely embarrassing for the self-important Malema.

JOHN WHITLOCK |