6 years!

There is not much to be said about the sentence handed down to Oscar Pistorius this week. Why? Because if we do, we’ll probably spit fire. In fact, a few of media update’s staff started speaking fluent French after they found out. And we’re not talking about the savoir faire French that is so pleasant to the ear.

There is an upside – as there is in everything. The hasthags #LongerThanOscarsSentence and #OscarWillBeOutBefore started trending on Wednesday shortly after Judge Masipa handed down her verdict. You’ve got to love South African humour. Even in a time where all you want to do is either go sob in a corner or tear your hair out in frustration.

Here are our favourites:

@djgherselman: Battery life of a Nokia 3310... #LongerThanOscarsSentence

@MaMthembu_1: Clientele Life adverts #LongerThanOscarsSentence

@DeReal_Thando: #OscarWillBeOutBefore I learn the next line to "work, work, work, work, work, work"......... #Rihanna-Work

@Nondoo_: #OscarWillBeOutBefore Frank Ocean drops his damn album

ANC finally wakes up to the disaster that is the SABC

Things have not been very lekker at the SABC for a while now. That’s probably being too glib. With Hlaudi running the show, it’s been a downright disaster. Senior journalists are boycotting; journalists going against policy by showing protests have been suspended and Jimi Matthews has resigned.

While South Africa’s public broadcaster was having a very ‘public’ meltdown, the ANC sat tight-lipped. That was until they realised that they couldn’t avoid speaking out any longer. What they responded with was laughable though.

The ANC said it was never in favour of censorship, saying it wants answers on the SABC’s editorial decisions. In fact, Jackson Mthembu himself said that the ANC would never support any editorial decisions that threatened media freedom, and that it wants to know the reasons behind the SABC’s decision not to broadcast violent images.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight… So why did it take you so long to speak out then?

Opportunistic much?

Rob Vember’s tweet sums it up.

Zimbabwe shuts down

At least the ANC is acknowledging the issues at the SABC. Yes, there is that silver lining again. Our northerly neighbours, Zimbabwe, are embroiled in a fight with their own people. And it’s all because of the government.

On Wednesday, schools were closed, roads were barricaded and Zimbabweans encouraged everyone to show their support for the civic action against the socio-economic and political challenges facing the country. Wonder if old Bob batted an eyelid.

Government did react, blocking WhatsApp on local networks and shutting down Facebook while also arresting citizens for their part in the shutdown. Fortunately their efforts didn’t stem the support shown to the campaign, which was run by #ThisFlag.

All indications are that the shutdown was a success – it’s got everyone talking. Only time will tell. But it has indeed started something that, hopefully, will continue until Zimbabwe realises its potential and returns to its rightful place as a country where people are free and able to live their lives without fear from the government.

Halala Zimbabwe halala.

Celebrating all things chocolate

Fortunately, we can end this week on a lighter note. And by lighter note, we mean the sweet, sticky (when melted) goodness of chocolate. On Thursday, we celebrated #WorldChocolateDay.

While there may not have been as many tweets and traction for this day, it’s still worth including. Because chocolate.

Cue pictures of yummy goodness, odes to the sweet treat and articles about how chocolate is actually good for you. As if we need any persuading!

So, the next time your parent, spouse or better half slaps your hand away from that chocolate, tell them the Media said you could. Here’s the proof.

After all, the Media has your best interests at heart. Just ask Hlaudi.

Okay better not.

Bye.