Khas

This is the problem in Africa and Fanon was right. We have so easily accepted the culture of the Europeans, because this culture is so appealing and tempting – but is it good? White people are making us feel guitly about our culture and traditions, and we are giving in to them. This is Africa and these things need to be respected why must we always give in to what the Europeans think. We stoppeed discipling our children the way it worked and now children have no direction, We accepted homosexuality and the number of people thinking they are ***, is increasing for the wrong reasons. We accept porn and swearing and immorality on Tv and our culture is one of respect for our elders and our woman. Apartheid really ruined us, and we ourselves as black people are continuing this downward spiral ourselves because we want to be like that, but what good does it serve and what is it building. What can build we must hold, what can kill, we must destroy.

Justin Kraus

Of course the King should be allowed to kill his bull and you are right to point out that animal cruelty is a reality that the ‘modern’ world perpetuates as much if not more than any traditional culture ever did.

However you rather hysterical claim that animal rights activists are somehow imperialist is nonsense, knee-jerk, paranoia. The urge amongst many in your country, including yourself it seems, to label anything they find annoying as either “racist” or “imperialist”, although perhaps understandable given your country’s history, is wearing a little thin after 15 years of independence.

Plus, of course, such extremist tendencies lead you to make factual errors. In point of fact animal rights groups DO complain against, factory farms, bullfighting, zoos, sport fishing, hunting, and even horseback riding. That they also criticize King Goodwill’s bull slaughter simply shows that they are consistent, not imperialist.

You may not agree with them, I certainly don’t all the time, but to claim that Animal Rights Groups are singling out traditional cultural practices for extra punishment is nonsense and speaks more to your sad willingness to play the ‘victim card’ over offering an insightful analysis.

Anton

I have sympathy for the Zulu people digging in their heels to protect the cultural heritage.

Anti-Activist organisations have the tendency to be very liberal with facts and get their scores by emotionally charging issues. Their statements on how the bull is killed contains blatant lies, and no matter how the Zulu people resist, readers will remember the ARA ’s “facts”.
Campaigns like this have a common thread; just look at gunfree SA, an organisation without any public credibility, but foreign funded. They will spew their lies , unfazed by real facts , and score political points.

The sad thing is: people will rather believe emotional claptrap than use their brains.
I have not seen one piece in the media asking what precisely happens at the ceremony, as described by a participant.
Why is the question not asked and printed?

I am sorry for you, the Zulu traditionalists, but politics and emotion is going to beat you on this one.

noodle1

if you had the choice of having your tongue pulled out and sand shoved down your throat, all the while having someone mutilating your genitals (all obviously reported in the media), or a quick bolt through the head, which would you choose, maybe you can test the different methods and come back to us as to which you preferred? culture, tradition, imperialism, blah, blah maybe try common sense. remember cannibalism was also a culture and tradition? we all move on (like fox hunting in the uk) for obvious reasons maybe you should too.

MAVUSO

this is totally disguisting.this animal rights group does not have a clear mandate and policy on what to criticise and not.our culture can not be dictated by the courts.
farmers who own 100s of cows torture cows by marking them with a red hot iron at the back everyday, everyyear.now that his majesty is doing a cultural event which takes place in 1 day and not more than ten cows are killed they make noise about it.there’s a deep meaning to the men who are chosen to kill the beast.if they do not understand.it’s simple, just stay out.

Abdul Milazi

the truth hurts, doesn’t it?

Bierpens

Keep the Zulu Culture Alive!!

We do not understand the depth of our misplaced concerns. Do we know what really happens at our killing stations called abattoirs. Even if we think it is humane one must spend a morning to experience the grive of the animals.

But this is nothing compared to what the intolerant western world contribute to global warming or pollution of the oceans.

What about the Zebra that was killed wrongly to protect no one against Ingana sickness. How many people understand the pain that was carved into a tradition by superior ill informed white man.

Today I am sad and ashamed to experience Colonialism all over again. I will never say I am sorry to Appartheid. I did not part take in it out off my free will, but cannot sit back and see how we destroy a culture just because we do not like it … I bow my head in shame and appollogise to the King for not being able to do more to stop this drive.

Ronald

I would appreciate the facts about what exactly is being proposed. I heard so far 3 versions: Initiation to manhood of 30 or 40 youth, a new Chief’s inauguration, and now a First crop thanks giving.
I heard the slaughter was to be achieved by first gouging the bull’s eyes’ out, then wrenching off its genitals and tongue bare handed, and then bare handedly beating it finally to death.A Zulu acquaintance of mine was aghast when I related the above to him. He didn’t think the extended pain of this slaughter was part of these customary ceremonies at all. And he lives near the King!

I am disappointed that this matter is being used to drag up worn out views about our past.
We really must move on. There is much vital campaigning against various abuses in our country. I find the proposed Extremely Brutal slaughtering of the Bull [if true as reported] inconsistent with our aim to become a more moral and caring people, while still embracing our various backgrounds and customs.