DM MOEGOE OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP 2022
John Steenhuisen’s ‘roadkill joke’ reduces him to moegoe status
The DA called its leader’s gaffe a ‘lighthearted take on current affairs’. We beg to differ and put him in the running for Moegoe of the Year.
Sometimes when partners break up, they maintain a respectful relationship. Other times, parties go their separate ways. On rare occasions, one partner appears on a podcast badmouthing the ex, embarrassing themselves in the process.
John Steenhuisen took the latter approach on MacG’s podcast and referred to his ex-wife as “roadkill”.
The DA leader’s appearance on Podcast and Chill in August was problematic in itself because of the podcast’s history of sexism, misogyny and transphobia. Nevertheless, Steenhuisen felt it was an appropriate place for a prominent politician.
Asked about “roadkill”, Steenhuisen replied: “It sounds a lot like my ex-wife.”
That drew laughs from the hosts but other people were less than amused.
Read in Daily Maverick: “Vladimir Putin assumes wicked character role in an explosion of Soviet myths”
Read in Daily Maverick: “Supreme misogynists – Justice Samuel Alito and the judges who believe they can control women’s bodies”
Steenhuisen is meant to be a leader in a country where women face countless issues, yet here he is, trashing one.
The DA doubled down on the gaffe by urging people to watch the show “and chill”.
“I fully understand that the joke may have been in bad taste to some, but it is important to note that the podcast is a lighthearted and comedic take on current affairs,” said Steenhuisen. His lighter side earns him a Moegoe of the Year runner-up spot. DM168
How we chose the People of the Year winners
In the past, Daily Maverick journalists decided who they thought warranted the title of Person of the Year, but for the second year running, we have asked readers to vote for their preferred choice, with the proviso that we still have the final say. Choosing the annual winners is a labour of love because that’s what it takes to get a bunch of DM editors to decide whether they agree or disagree with the choices of 13,000 readers. Over the next few days, we shall republish online all the results in various categories. – Heather Robertson, DM168 editor
This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R25.
Become an Insider
Good choice. Still, he had first place on my list. Not only did he insult every single woman in this country, he also managed to imply that to this national political leader, women’s political concerns about GBV and sexism are not even on his radar. And he demonstrated that to this father, daughters’ emotional wellbeing, too, are not worthy of any concern. All in all, a fantastic Taliban-style moment that demonstrated to all South African men that Women. don’t. matter. Well done Mr S, this award was spectacularly well deserved.
Really?
Yes
Welcome to the world of the woke where twitter rage is king? Sorry, sexist, my bad! As penance I will immediately cancel John Cleese and that notorious sketch that offended parrots everywhere.
Im with you! No sense of humout amongst the woke.
I’m not on Twitter nor woke, but I recognise bad taste and poor judgement when I see it. Not great attributes for a leader in the 21st century.
Considering the traitors, criminals and thugs ruling our country, stealing millions and billions, Steenhuisen should be miles away from any moegoe award. But such are the priorities of some it seems; let’s just assume someone is worse for a bad comment than murdering our economy and with it killing actual people, destroying actual jobs and ignoring actual service delivery. If that’s truly what the readers believe (and not just a”bunch of DM editors to decide whether they agree or disagree with the choices of 13,000 readers”), then I really fear for this countries priorities. This is not to say I agree with JS statements in any way, but runner up moegoe of the year?! Really?
Tone deaf Steenhuizen put his foot in it, but the runner-up moegoe result is equally out of touch. The fact is people’s lives are better in every aspect where the DA is in charge. The idea that Steenhuizen gives Taliban-like support to the suppression of women (as alluded to above) through his uncaring comment is just absurd . Looking at the political make-up of the country’s miscreants and moegoes, this just seems like a desperate attempt have stab at the DA.
Again!
The readers comments on this disgraceful behaviour by a prominent public figure provide some insight into the misogyny that makes this country a world record holder in GBV. One would have thought that readers of this news platform were an enlightened group. Steenhuisen’s behaviour (and no public retraction or apology) is inexcusable however capable his party may be in governance.
I agree. If you want to claim to hold the moral high ground, then walk the talk. The fact that we have a vast array of venal politicians in power doesn’t alter the fact that this man has revealed an unpleasant side to himself while yucking it up with two stupid sexists: poor taste and bad judgement. I do wonder about people springing to his defence: do they speak like this too?