--- title: "While you were sleeping: 7 April 2017" description: "D-day for unified protests in South Africa, Trump attacks Assad regime, and New Zealand's PM grilled over pizza preferences." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "South Africa" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-04-07-while-you-were-sleeping-7-april-2017/" published: "2017-04-07T05:58:47" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 841 --- # While you were sleeping: 7 April 2017 > D-day for unified protests in South Africa, Trump attacks Assad regime, and New Zealand's PM grilled over pizza preferences. By John Stupart · Published 7 April 2017, 07:58 SAST ## Content **TGIF, 7 April 2017** *“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”* **Desmond Tutu** ![Image](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/E6/24D/799/csimport/849x493q70Pravin-in-St-Georges1.052917.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [Cape Town’s Kathrada Memorial: 'President Gordhan' receives hero’s welcome](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-huldlud-l-u/) By REBECCA DAVIS Ten years ago, who could have predicted that the death of an anti-Apartheid hero would become the catalyst for the repeated expression of discontent with South Africa’s government? The memorials for Struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada have served as a platform countrywide for the mobilisation of opposition to current ANC leadership. On Thursday, the travelling political roadshow reached Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral. [Trump orders strikes against Assad](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-huldlud-l-o/) Fifty-nine Tomahawk missiles have been launched from American destroyers in the Mediterranean, targeting the Syrian air base from which this week's chemical attack was launched. Calling on all "civilised" nations to help end the Syrian war, the United States has for the first time in the conflict targeted Assad's forces directly. Whether this was a one-off attack or the start of a prolonged campaign against Assad remains to be seen. [SACP cancels march, SaveSA to press ahead](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-huldlud-l-b/) The SACP cancelled its Tshwane march today, citing a false report from the city as the reason. Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga officially overturned any rumours of illegality on the march. The SACP, it seems, were adamant not to march. SaveSA meanwhile received a late court order authorising their march on the Union Buildings. If you're looking for clues on which protest to join, it clearly does not lie with the communists today. [Updated Colombian mudslide casualties include 100 children](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-huldlud-l-n/) At least a hundred children died in Colombia's deadly mudslide last week. Providing updated casualty figures on Thursday, Colombian officials stated that at least 311 were killed in total. More than 300 people still remain missing. [New Zealand PM faces pizza backlash](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-huldlud-l-p/) Pizza topped with tinned spaghetti and pineapple. That is how New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English likes his slices. The revelation sent the internet into a freefall of criticism. Italy, now on the verge of declaring a national crisis and excluding New Zealand from all maps in children's geography books, has expressed outrage. English, however, remained defiant, stating that "everywhere I go now I meet people who put spaghetti and pineapple on their pizza". — IN NUMBERS $1,000 The amount Jon Heder received for his role as Napoleon in Napoleon Dynamite. FACTS OF THE DAY Today is **World Health Day.** There are 41 states in the US where parents can**homeschool their kids** without the need for high school diplomas or GEDs. 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