'Leave the hair debate alone & focus on a recovery plan': Mmusi Maimane tells Tito Mboweni
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Finance minister Tito Mboweni's attempt to start a debate on the use of wigs has received a cold reception from many, including One SA Movement leader Mmusi Maimane.
On Monday, Mboweni called for an “honest political and psychological debate” on why Africans wore wigs instead of embracing their natural hair.
In a now-deleted tweet, he asked if Africans were not happy with their natural hair.
“Before I rest. When are we going to have an honest political, psychological debate on why this hair thing in SA? Is the debate closed? Are we not happy with our African hair?” Mboweni asked.
Maimane said the finance minister was doing everything but providing his economic recovery plan.
“Please leave the hair conversation alone, it’s not your place to add garlic. Direct your focus to the recovery plan, assemblief [sic].”
Sir you are doing everything but handing in your assignment. The #EconomicRecoveryPlan.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) October 5, 2020
Please leave the hair conversation alone, it’s not your place to add garlic😂😂. Direct your focus to the Recovery plan assemblief. https://t.co/qRmGLpqQFE
This is not the first time Maimane has questioned Mboweni about the recovery plan.
On Sunday, he took a jab at Mboweni's skills in the kitchen, saying he can put a garlic logo on the plan, but SA needed to see that it was being cooked.
“That recovery plan must come with an implementation timeline attached. We need to know what action will be taken, when and by whom,” said Maimane.
“We need smart goals, KPIs (key performance indicators), and all other metrics of measuring progress clearly defined. We are tired of vague this, vague that.”
According to a statement issued by the presidency last month, the details of the plan will be announced once it is finalised by cabinet.
That recovery plan must come with an implementation timeline attached. We need to know what action will be taken, when and by whom.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) October 3, 2020
We need SMART goals, KPIs and all other metrics of measuring progress clearly defined. We are tired of vague this, vague that.
Social media users echoed Maimane's sentiments, saying Mboweni should be debating about the country's ailing economy and what plans were being put in place for it to recover.
Here is a snapshot of what social media users had to say.
Ayibo, a minister of finance wants to debate about hair or wigs. Why not debate about the current Economy of South Africa and what plans you are putting in place for the Economy to recover. What is the Rand to the Dollar. Unemployment is high, what is your plan
— Similesihle Magagula (@SimilesihleM) October 5, 2020
People wear wigs for various reasons ! The bottom line is ! It’s their choice !!!
— WominFreed📚🥩💕No🗑 (@womxnFreed) October 5, 2020
I'm getting really tired of this wig chat. Let's make an example with nails, women put on artificial nails and nail polish does that mean she's hates her natural nails? NO! Now take that analogy and apply it to natural hair/wigs.
— Black Silk (@6lacksillk) October 5, 2020
Why are you trying to debate this? Are you thinking of buying/wearing wigs? Cos otherwise I don’t see why you’re trying to make it a topic for no reason!
— Tree Fel (@mys_Tree) October 5, 2020
The choice is up to the individual, we might love our hair and show it off regularly but there also shouldn’t be anything wrong with wearing a wig if you like how you look with it🤷🏽♀️At what point does anyone decide what someone else does with their hair? Freedom of choice????
— Susan_Desazy (@missdesazy) October 5, 2020
It shouldnt even be a debate, its an individual choice. Whether you want to shave it off, keep it short, grow it, straighten it, pleat it, wear a wig or weave totally up to you.
— Nokhanyisile (@esimela) October 5, 2020
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