The outraged reaction by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to the display of her panties during a South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) march was instructive. She felt her right to privacy and dignity was violated. Uncharacteristically, she laid into SADTU, accusing the union, among other things, of disrespecting women generally and particularly the contribution made by women to the fight for democracy in South Africa.

Some may think she overreacted to a juvenile display, more suited to fifteen year old boys on a school prank than a serious protest by supposedly adult teachers. Nevertheless, it seems clear that she was hurt and felt disrespected.

There is a worrying tendency in our country to disrespect opponents and treat them badly by attacking them on a personal basis. Sometimes this creates the impression that politicians hate each other as people, instead of disagreeing on policies and principle. Because of our history, this invective often takes on a racial connotation and then reason flies out of the window.

Reading the acres of coverage accorded to the death and the funeral of Baroness Thatcher, I was struck by something written by Peter Oborne in the Telegraph. He said that a deep civility lurks behind the notorious brutality and bitterness of British public discourse. "One of the great truths of our public life is that opponents must be honoured and respected."

Some people are averse to learning from the British, but I wonder whether South African politics would not benefit if we learned a lesson or two from the ‘Mother of Parliaments.'

We see constant attacks of a personal nature aimed at the person, the integrity, the humanity of politicians. Just think of the unlamented Julius Malema and his vicious attack on Lindiwe Mazibuko. He declined to debate with her because she was 'the Madam's tea girl.' Think too of the tasteless, vulgar and quite shocking attacks on Helen Zille, suggesting that she was sleeping with members of her Western Cape cabinet. The ANCWL did not protest about this disgraceful insult.

Think of my own recent comment about Lulu Xingwana. She said that in rape cases there should be a presumption of guilt and that the accused would have to prove his innocence (contrary to our constitution and our legal system). I said she had not been put in the cabinet for her brains or her judgement. The way to make rape cases stick is to have a proper and effective investigation by police trained for the purpose, followed by a prosecution that leads to conviction, sentencing and punishment of the guilty. I could have pointed that out without insulting the lady personally.

I am not going soft. I am still the only person ever censured by parliament for doing my job properly: for ‘reprehensible conduct towards President and Mrs Mbeki.' This was for taking the media to his retirement home in Johannesburg where a few millions of public money were being spent on security (shades of Nkandla). I do think, however, that while punching hard and criticising relentlessly, public discourse would benefit if politicians showed they do not hate each other. Play the ball and not the (wo)man.

Douglas Gibson is former Opposition Chief Whip and Ambassador to Thailand. He can be followed on Twitter @dhmgibson

This article first appeared in The Citizen.

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