Governance

I am Baga. I am an African. And it concerns me – all of this madness and mayhem. I am Charlie second to being Baga.

The heinous nature of the crime against the journalists and cartoonists from Charlie Hebdo makes it extremely difficult to offer a cool-headed analysis of what is entailed in this barbaric act, its context and precedents, as well as its impact and future repercussions.

More than 40 world leaders joined the march in Paris on Sunday to show solidarity against the brutal murders at Charlie Hebdo and in other attacks around the city.

How important are leaders to South Africa’s politics? Should they be allowed to make or break organisations?

Nobody will condone killings of any sort, anywhere in the world. It is, however, interesting how there is an almost immediate expectation that Muslims should apologize and take responsibility for the horrible attack on satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

INTRODUCTION

Algeria. Long before the identity of the murder suspects was revealed by the French police – even before I heard the names of Cherif and Said Kouachi – I muttered the word “Algeria” to myself. As soon as I heard the names and saw the faces, I said the word “Algeria” again.

The attack on the editorial offices of Charlie Hebdo has shocked the public, which is horrified by the violent deaths of 12 people in the center of Paris.

‘And pity, like a naked newborn babe, striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed upon the sightless couriers of the air, shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, that tears shall drown the wind,’ Shakespeare’s Macbeth depicting a seemly innocent deed with horrible connotations.

2014 was not the only year in which insincerity, fabrication, half truths and downright disinformation became our national pastime in South Africa, but it must reign up there with the best.