In these dark times, it’s important that – every now and then – we get the chance to lighten the mood. Everything feels a little bit glum and bleak at the moment, but it’s not going to be this way forever. So when Cyril Ramaphosa got a fit of giggles as Julius Malema made his coronavirus preparedness speech, it was a welcome break from our sometimes overwhelming reality.
We’ve already seen a few reactions online, and while most have seen the funny side, others have chastised the president and argued he isn’t taking the crisis seriously. Look, Ramaphosa still has a lot to answer for as president, but putting him to the sword on this particular incident seems a little counter-productive.
Why was Cyril Ramaphosa laughing at Julius Malema?
This week has ushered in an era cooperative governance in South Africa. It has been weirdly comforting to see all 14 political parties and their leaders work together during this national crisis. It’s certainly a world away from the Parliamentary disruption we’ve seen in 2020 – and, to be fair to Cyril, he had a good reason to crack-up.
As Malema continued to address the nation with a message for his followers, he very directly mentioned the prospect of nationalising private hospitals. This is a very awkward topic for Cyril and the ANC to face, and the tension of the moment certainly got to our head of state – and he was unable to hold back his laughter.
Watch: Cyril Ramaphosa laughs during Malema’s coronavirus address
Just when Julius Malema is enjoying his moment to address the Nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa laughs
— Marxist (@Kgomo389) March 18, 2020pic.twitter.com/6xs9bniuHM
Laughter is, apparently, an evolutionary response to escaping danger. It supposedly developed as a way to express relief. Not only did we get Ramaphosa cracking-up on Wednesday, but the “elbow-greeting” – which is being used to replace handshakes in the wake of coronavirus – has also become a source of amusement. Only this time, it was Julius Malema who found the whole thing comical. If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry…
Source: The South African Read MoreJulius malema n Cyril Ramaphosa On #COVID19SouthAfrica he can be funny sometimes this ANC president
— Africanism(@modisha_david) March 18, 2020
