Zille responds to DA criticism, states colonialism isn’t all bad

I regret to inform you that Helen Zille is back on her bullshit.

Last year, the Western Cape Premier ignited outrage when she defended colonialism on Twitter. And now, a year and one empty apology later, she’s rehashed the argument in defense against DA criticism.

Does Helen Zille care more about defending herself than her frustrated constituents?

In March 2017, after attending an event in Singapore, Zille commented on what she believed were positive effects of colonialism.

“For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative, think of our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure, piped water etc. (sic),” she wrote on Twitter.

For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative, think of our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure, piped water etc.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

South Africans were quick to counter her argument. Colonialism, many reminded the Premier, was defined by the violent takeover of a nation and its people — it had nothing to do with the swapping of ideas or technology.

It was also dangerous for the Premier to profess that western civilisation was inherently better than the African nations it pillaged, especially considering we have no way of knowing how South Africa would have developed if the Europeans had never invaded.

Zille stood by her comments with condescending tweets. But less than an hour later she had issued an apology.

I apologise unreservedly for a tweet that may have come across as a defence of colonialism. It was not.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

That apology meant nothing. In the midst of the water crisis, she condescendingly restated this argument when a user criticised the DA’s failure to implement necessary infrastructure.

It must be a relief that you weren’t burdened by the legacy of a colonial water piping system.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) January 25, 2018

Zille has been using Twitter to implore her followers and fellow Capetonians to save water, but when a South African critiqued her government, she ignored their struggles in favour of defending herself.

When asked for further clarification on her comment that brings up a year-old scandal, Zille stated that the user’s desire for proper infrastructure was hypocritical.

I am trying to highlight hypocrisy. That concept exists in every language.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) January 25, 2018

It begs the question: Does Helen Zille care about her constituents and their day-to-day struggles, or does she care more about being right? Right now, it looks like she’s leaning towards the latter.