Cape Town's mayor tells Russian warship to GFY and 'voets*k'
Cape Town's mayor tells Russian warship to GFY and 'voets*k'. Photo: Twitter / Russian Consulate General, Cape Town

Home » Cape Town’s mayor tells Russian warship to GFY and ‘voets*k’

Cape Town’s mayor tells Russian warship to GFY and ‘voets*k’

Cape Town’s Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis today told a visiting Russian warship to ‘voetsek‘ and GFY (a common abbreviation of Go F*ck Yourself). His outburst on Twitter followed a tweet from the Russian Consulate General in Cape Town who said: “Cape Town hosts #Russian frigate “Admiral Gorshkov”. The battleship arrived in the Mother City on […]

By Jenni Baxter
13-02-23 23:01
in Eish!
Cape Town's mayor tells Russian warship to GFY and 'voets*k'
Cape Town's mayor tells Russian warship to GFY and 'voets*k'. Photo: Twitter / Russian Consulate General, Cape Town

Cape Town’s Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis today told a visiting Russian warship to ‘voetsek‘ and GFY (a common abbreviation of Go F*ck Yourself).

His outburst on Twitter followed a tweet from the Russian Consulate General in Cape Town who said:

“Cape Town hosts #Russian frigate “Admiral Gorshkov”. The battleship arrived in the Mother City on its way to Durban where it will take part in joint ??-??-?? naval drills scheduled for February 17-27.”

An outraged Hill-Lewis responded:

“We are not hosting this warship, nor is it welcome in the Mother City. Cape Town will not be complicit in Russia’s evil war. @PresidencyZA must answer for his complicity.”

Hill-Lewis then added the hashtags #VoetsekRussianWarship and #RWSGFY, an abbreviation which stands for ‘Russian War Ship, Go F*ck Yourself’. RWSGF was reportedly started last year by Ukraine supporters after soldiers on a small island were accosted by a Russian warship. The ship threatened to bomb them if they didn’t lay down their weapons and surrender. The 13 soldiers apparently replied: “Russian warship, go fu*k yourself.”

Responses to the Cape Town mayor’s tweet were divided, with Ukraine supporters congratulating him for speaking out; and Russia supporters accusing his stance of being hypocritical.

Western media has criticised South Africa for “openly siding with Russia” by organising the forthcoming maritime exercise with China and Russia, despite the ANC government claiming to be neutral. The maritime event, known as Exercise Mosi II will allow the three nations to share operational skills, expertise and experience.

It will be taking place in KwaZulu-Natal – in Durban and Richards Bay. (A similar exercise was held between the three countries in Cape Town in November 2019.) This year’s Exercise Mosi II will see over 350 SANDF personnel from various Arms of Services and Divisions participating alongside their Russian and Chinese counterparts.

Tags: Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis GFY Russian warship RWSGFY voetsek