Helen Zille Apologizes for Defending Colonialism, Twitter Tells Her to Try Again

It looks like Donald Trump isn't the only politician who likes to show his ass on Twitter. Helen Zille, Premiere of the Western Cape of South Africa, enjoys dabbling in the popular game of "Ignorant Ass Tweeting" too.

Early today, Zille decided to dedicate her 140 characters to defending colonialism.

She could've tweeted about unicorns or the weather, but she settled on colonialism instead. She essentially told those of us whose history and culture were ransacked by greedy white people to just "look on the bright side."

Here are her thoughts on the matter:

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

Would we have had a transition into specialised health care and medication without colonial influence? Just be honest, please.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

When people began calling her out, she tried to defend her statement even further.

@ubuntusalaam1 We must get rid of colonialism but acknowledge there are some valuable aspects of its legacy and build on those.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

@ulrik_s Sure, harmony. But theoretical to imagine that all those would simply have developed without any international cross-pollination.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

@KeletsoMopai @ubuntusalaam1 Hospitals, piped water, medications, independent judiciary, transport infrastructure to name a few.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

@IamPrince_Dbn Not at all, everyone has access.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

@Xongo_Sipiwo So no black people fly on aeroplanes, or drink piped water, or ride on trains, or benefit from medication and hospitals?

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

@edrishlongwane Well, if you can't explain, don't get on an aeroplane again, or take antibiotics.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

@E_xcelsior There were many deaths caused by colonialism worldwide, and that is deplorable. Now piped water and medication prevent deaths.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017

After being rightfully dragged for her unsound opinion, Zille tried to clarify her statements.

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

She also tried to be slick by retweeting this:

Let's make this clear: Colonialism, like Apartheid, was a system of oppression and subjugation. It can never be justified.

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 16, 2017

Her haphazard apology and lazy retweet are currently fooling NO ONE.

"How many times have you passed racist remarks and apologised your way out of it? "

Helen Zille : pic.twitter.com/3ptegjtuS2

— The Instigator (@AmBlujay) March 16, 2017

helen zille: "ayy man, colonialism may have killed a bunch of you black folk but at least we brought you buildings & stuff, wasn't all bad." pic.twitter.com/dNWgasD2qy

— sixaneki. (@bbysix_) March 16, 2017

Helen Zille is this close to telling us that God is white.. pic.twitter.com/ipUh16gRHx

— Ayanda Matanki (@OVO_Ayoyo) March 16, 2017

Helen Zille in the street Helen Zille in the sheets pic.twitter.com/DSChR0suHg

— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) March 16, 2017