[imagesource: Twitter / @TVwithThinus]
Not everyone can be a comedian, because standing up in front of a crowd of strangers and making them laugh is tough.
That’s why not everyone should try.
A case in point is JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, who is being widely criticised for the comments he made yesterday.
During an event addressing the city’s film industry, Smith “made light of his inability to pronounce the surname of the MC, Abongile Nzelenzele”.
Too many vowels, plonked in awkward places, Abongile!
As the clip circulated on social media, Smith said he had been misunderstood, reports News24:
“I spoke to Abongile and he told me he was not offended by my comments. He knew none was taken, if people are not familiar with people’s surnames or familiar with their language. I always take great care with pronouncing someone’s surname. With Abongile’s surname, I acknowledged I wasn’t comfortable with guessing.”
…”This is a remark taken well out of context and the MC did not see any offence in the remark. He had previously made jokes about his own surname.”
Nzelenzele himself chose not to comment.
Relax, man, it’s a joke.
Well, maybe, but what is that ‘joke’ actually saying?
The DA’s JP Smith joked that he couldn’t say Abongile Nzelenzele’s surname. There’s gonna be a lot of silly debate about it being ‘just a joke’. Here’s how that works… pic.twitter.com/Pnj0ObemX0
— Chester Missing (@chestermissing) September 8, 2021
The fact that Smith is a member of the DA, a party that is desperate to broaden its voter appeal ahead of the elections later this year, only adds fuel to the fire.
The whole #JPsmith thing is just too predictable.
For many South Africans Black people are not seen as worthy enough to learn a name for.
Nevermind a language.
It’s just a joke. Get over it. Again.
— Nickolaus Bauer (@NickolausBauer) September 8, 2021
Here comes Soli Philander, an actual comedian, with a zinger (or is that ‘xinger’?):
So JP Smith’s significant other goes by the name of Xanthea.
I’M not joking— SolisCorner (@SoliPhilander) September 8, 2021
It’s a storm in a teacup!
It’s just a joke!
Helen Zille NzilleZille – see, we’re all laughing!
Sure, but you’re not listening.
[source:news24]
