It goes without saying that former president Jacob Zuma Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is a dangerous man who should not be allowed to wield the reigns of power again. His legacy is the most divisive in South African politics. The controversial and former president is seen as a liberator and saviour for millions of poor people. For others, he is corrupt and ill-fitted to lead. Despite having been at the forefront of the worse corruption and mismanagement scandals in post-apartheid history, the 82-year-old has returned to the political spot light time and again. Now, ahead of general elections on May 29, Zuma has turned his back on the African National Congress (ANC) – the party that made him a two-time president between 2009 and 2018 – in favour of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), that seek to challenge the governing party’s hold on power. (News|Elections)
Zuma does not deserve to return to have a role of any kind in politics. He has already done damage of the worse kind when he was president of the country. During his presidency he reduced South Africa’s economy to junk-status, due to playing musical chairs with his finance ministers, he laid out most of the state resources at the feet of his ‘friends’ the Gupta brothers and refused to appear before the Zondo commission to answer for his misconduct. Does he deserve to have his political legacy protected at all? Since going up against the political party and former liberation organization that had even sort to protect him at times from votes of no confidence, the answer is no.
But he still relies on heavy support from within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Zuma possesses no unique political acumen, but he is a populist at heart.
Many ask the question, “What does Zuma want?”, wondering why a former president with lifetime benefits from the state would be interested in contesting an election and going up against his political home of more than 60 years. The answer to that has its roots in Zuma’s home province. KZN has more than 5.7 million registered voters and is where Zuma’s political base is. Gauteng and KZN, with 23.6 percent and 20.7 percent of the electorate, respectively, will, according to political analysts and pollsters, once again be the key provinces to watch in this election. Additionally, the province is a strategic one for Zuma as some analysts say he may be seeking to use his legacy and ensure his continued political influence in the country.
So, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng will be the provinces that will determine the outcome of the general election. Zuma alongside the MK is going to position himself as a kingmaker after winning the key sectors of the electorate with in KZN to gain seats in parliament. Zuma would then use his new position in the national “hung” parliament to oust Ramaphosa from the Union Buildings. A new ANC government more pliant to Zuma and under MK tutelage could come into power. Deputy President Paul Mashatile could be at the helm of this new government. Mashatile is worse than Ramaphosa, so this is not a good case scenario. Mashatile is an unknown entity would a dark past. Does the country really deserve this kind of future, just to protect Zuma’s bleak legacy?
What are Ramaphosa’s chances?
The 71-year-old’s first stint in office has been blighted by stubbornly high unemployment, persistent economic inequalities, widespread power cuts and corruption allegations. It is far from ideal state of affairs, especially for a man said to have coveted the presidential role since the ANC came to power in 1994. (BBC)
Mr Ramaphosa became involved in the black consciousness movement at university and as a result of his activism he endured two months long stints in solitary confinement. He crafted a reputation as a thorn in the side of white mine bosses in the 1980s, leading the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in one of the largest strikes in South Africa’s history. He also joined the ANC and worked closely with Nelson Mandela to negotiate an end to minority rule, which came in 1994.(BBC)
Ramaphosa can said to be one of Madiba’s top disciples. He had immeasurable potential. What went wrong? He could have used the actual legacy he created for himself to turn both the party and country that he loved around. Did Ramaphosa not care about tackling the rot engulfing the ANC? As President he could have used his power to bring back the Scorpions Directorate of Special Operations Unit to clean up corruption. This would have been understandable since limiting corruption is not a one-person job. If Ramaphosa can carve out a reputation for being a thorn in the side of injustice, why can’t he be a thorn in the side of corruption? This was a president who started off well, by knowing what he was talking about. Ramaphosa was instrumental in enabling the foundations of South African Democracy to be laid.
As president he should have pursued electoral reform as a mechanism to strengthen that foundation. Only time will tell how the President wields his influence and acumen.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
