EFF MP Naledi Chirwa did not get the applause she expected from social media users when she lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling the 69-year-old “a weak little boy.”
Naledi Chirwa draws ire from social media – Here’s why
The youthful EFF member, who will only reach the age of 30 in 2023, left users immensely irritated when she quoted the president’s weekly newsletter with inflammatories and derogatory insults.
Chirwa, we believe, may have interpreted the president’s thoughts in the newsletter, where he calls for the protection of South Africa’s Constitution, as a direct attack on Lindiwe Sisulu’s open letter.
For the most part, Ramaphosa’s newsletter was a summation of events that have rocked the nation at the start of the new year. The majority of the president’s thoughts were around the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the recent Parliament fire.
The only instance where Ramaphosa seemingly speaks on Sisulu’s open letter is towards the end of the newsletter, where he says:
“We must safeguard against any and all efforts to diminish our hard-won democracy – whether these efforts take the form of corruption in state owned enterprises, the subversion of our law enforcement agencies, the sabotage of our economic infrastructure, or attacks on the independence and integrity of our judiciary.”
Some might argue that this could have been the reiteration of a call made before, at the height of pro-Zuma factionalism and ‘white monopoly capitalist’ discourse.
However, for Chirwa, it was clear that Ramaphosa was ‘throwing a tantrum’ and doing what ‘little boys’ do when overpowered by women.
You're such a weak little boy. All your fellow stooges u sent to collapse Lindiwe were collapsed themselves. It won't be surprising if u do what little boys do when overpowered by women. Throw the tantrum we are expecting it. You'll forever remain a toothless boy. Mfana ke mfana. https://t.co/rmooatRufu
— Naledi Chirwa (@NalediChirwa) January 17, 2022
Suffice it to say, Chirwa’s tweet did not land the way she may have anticipated. Instead, the EFF member was condemned for her callous use of strong language.
Here are some of the reactions we picked up from the backlash:
Can Naledi Chirwa call Lazarus Chikwera, President of her home country Malawi, these words she called Cyril and go unpunished?
— HlatseSekgobela1 (@John_Hlatse) January 17, 2022
CR may be weak, but this is despicable, repugnant and utterly distasteful for a supposed MP.
It is time idiots get deported to their shit-holes. pic.twitter.com/QnsAN4rC4Z
When you read Naledi Chirwa's insults to President Cyril Ramaphosa, please bear in mind that Naledi is 28 years old and the President is 69 years old.
— 🇿🇦AttorneyAtLaw (@ZacMoselane) January 17, 2022
Forget that he is the President but that is no way to talk to an adult. Naledi a ka se bolele le papage that way.
Naledi Chirwa calling the President . A grown man a boy 💔
— Solomzi (@Solphendukaa) January 17, 2022
Naledi Chirwa is very disrespectful and downright trashy in her behaviour to the office of the Presidency. We cannot allow culture of insults and trashy behaviour to go unchecked.
— African Renaissance🦅🇿🇦🦁 (@MadiBoity) January 17, 2022
Naledi Chirwa with the only man she respects. Calls him her papa and daddy. pic.twitter.com/wJtdb62cu7
— Floyd (@AmuFloyd) January 17, 2022