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Answer to "Who is Jacob Zuma?"
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Answer to "Who is Jacob Zuma?" |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa 
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This is to answer 2islander2's question to me in my poem "Reconciliation" in Open Poetry 44. Yann, in South Africa, we are about to have elections around March. The governing party is the ANC. Jacob Zuma is the president of that party. He is the presidential candidate of the ANC. Unlike Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbheki who are both highly educated, he had no formal schooling. He is a rapist and has approximately 747 criminal charges of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud related to the government's multi-billion rand arms deal against him, and has avoided a court case so far. There is a move to have the court case happen – and before the elections, but whether that will happen or not, is not certain. Every ethical South African is hoping that it will. I don’t vote for the ANC (African National Congress), but like all of South Africa and most of the world, I have infinite love and support for Nelson Mandela. President Mbheki made some mistakes, but nevertheless, I like him and have great respect for him. He was removed from office (and went graciously) by the machinations of Zuma and Zuma-ists. Like all martyrs, it only enhanced Mbheki’s image, and tarnished Zuma’s even more. The whole story of that is very long. I vote for the DA (Democratic Alliance). If the DA wins, Helen Zilla will be President of South Africa. She is much loved, highly intelligent, highly moral and ethical, wise, makes things happen, has a sense of humour, loves her country and its people and has all of their interests at heart. If the ANC wins, I would much prefer Phumzile, Mlambo-Ncuka to be the president. She is highly intelligent, well educated, has a sense of humour and appears to be ethical and moral, wise and compassionate. There is a new party recently formed at the end of last year called COPE. They broke away from the ANC because they felt that that the ANC had lost the moral and ethical qualities that sustained “The Struggle” (against apartheid). They have the moral “support” (and it is not just an anti-majority party thing) of all the other parties. I doubt that they will have a chance of winning the next elections as the party is new. Here are 2 links about Jacob Zuma’s court case: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2452234,00.html http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-01-12-judgement-day-for-zuma Owl |
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moonbeam
since 2005-12-24
Posts 2356 |
I agree Owl. I've been watching Zuma's career, and think he would be a real step back for your beautiful country from the progress that has been made. He certainly isn't an intellectual by any stretch of the imagination, and right now while you are still a young country in terms of social development, you need someone with the intelligence, education and integrity to be able to look at the broad picture, as Mandela did. I think Zilla would make a superb president. I don't know much about Phumzile, Mlambo-Ncuka but I do think that a woman's touch would be no bad thing either.  I was in SA and Lesotho working and touring for 9 months in 1976 while your country was very different to how it is today. You've made huge strides and I'd be very sad to see someone like Zuma do any damage to that progression. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you for your knowledgeable, balanced, compassionate and wise response, Moonbeam. I am thrilled that you have visited my beloved country and Lesotho, albeit so long ago. Nine months would have given you a pretty good idea of what we are/were about and how beautiful our country is, rich with all sorts of things that matter. I don't know your religious beliefs and practices, but if you are a praying person, I would appreciate your praying for our country not to have Jacob Zuma as president. If you aren't a praying person, I would appreciate your thoughts of hope. It would be a huge step backwards, and an embarrasment to have Jacob Zuma at our helm for an infinite number of reasons. Owl |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Diana, thank you for this info. Our media barely gives us more than mini-flashes of what's happening elsewhere on this planet unless oil prices/economy/terrorism is involved. Here, it seems one must listen/read BBC and other outside news sources to find 'facts' about the current politics of other countries. It doesn't help that most Americans seem to prefer to live with 'head-up-ass' syndrome. That's one beauty of this poetry family, that we get to cross borders and really share what is happening globally. Thank you so much for being here, for your constant willingness to share reality. You are truly a treasured 'gift' for all Pipsters. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you for your very kind words about me, Kacy. I feel very honoured by what you said. Thank you also for your interest in the "outside world", in particular, my beloved South Africa. If there is anything you would like to ask, please feel free - either in an email or here. I would love the opportunity to say more here, but am rushing out now and when I do, I would prefer it to be in answer to questions of people who are really interested. Of course, I will make a clear distinction between what is indisputable fact and what is merely my opinion. Owl |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. "The governing party is the ANC. Jacob Zuma is the president of that party. . ." And how did that happen? By the way, is Dr Tshabalala-Msimang still the Minister of Health? . . |
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