By Samira Edi
Interestingly, today is the day when Zuma will be sworn in as the new ANC Big Chief. Coincidentally, reports are coming out that the South African prosecutors have enough evidence to charge him for corruption. When it comes to the "C" word, there is no compromise in my view, as Africa is the Augean Stables that it is today, no thanks to the traditional gene pool of dishonest politicians who have made this scourge their modus operandi - and thus a badge of "black empowerment." In this dance, Zuma seems to be the Prima Donna twinkle toes and master of impropriety!
Zuma is something of an enigma, and the public perception of him is in my view one-sided. Nevertheless, he does not make any efforts to improve his public image by his personal principles; afterall he is a public figure, soon to become international and that should matter. I still haven't gotten my head over that kerfuffle, where he callously stood in the dock and blurted out his belief in the power of the shower. And while his actions are still covered under a funk of corruption, he was not the right candidate for ANC presidency. Thabo might be slow, with the BA/Saudi Scandal over his head, but Thabo is light years better.
While I concede that his health status is no one's business, I affirm he owes it to the millions of South African AIDS patients to recant those ridiculous beliefs about the shower after the "ACT", and with the bonus of an apology if you may, please! Maybe it would quell the speculations and doubts about his physical fitness by officially declaring his status if he ever did a test. After all, he was a brave man whose actions I'll euphemistically put down as " journeyed valiantly into the the jaws of a shark," having hanky-pankied with a woman whom he knew was HIV positive.
Now, in a country where the Minister of Health is officially the exponent for AID'S as a conspiracy, (Dr. Manto TShabalala Msimang or "Dr. Beetroot") you begin to question what exactly the official position of the SA government are, in the face of this virulent scourge. For a scientist, that represents an own goal and the most damning personal indictment.
While the Polokwane congress might have seemed a "triumph for democracy," it also showcased a blatant lack of principles by the South African electorate and a dangerous departure towards radicalism. I see more a pyrrhic victory here. What if Big Zuma is charged, found guilty and thrown in jail? He has known for quite a while that there are imminent corruption charges. Would they mind having another ANC president sitting in jail...? Perish the thought!
In my opinion, he should never have received any nominations. Were there no other qualified candidates? There is no telling the extent of the persuasive powers a bag of rice. In a country where people are still scarred by the "A" word, and still dogged by the residual squalor of that regime, some people couldn't be tasked to think!
Does this vote of confidence not exhibit the fickle and prejudicial nature of the South African electorates who exonerated a man with an impending lawsuit? It simply means they approve of his behaviour- and couldn't be asked to look beyond the obvious- dismissing all the malarkey surrounding him with the blind certainty of conspiracy theorists. They had found him not guilty before the judgment. And that represents in my view very shoddy democracy, blind support tinged with a smirch of naivety. It was sad departure from the right direction. What happens next is anyone's guess. The future looks quite murky and most chilling.
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