The world was shocked and awed by the incredible unity that was displayed on the most incredible day in South African history back on 10th May 1994. The day Nelson Mandela became the first black president of a free and democratic South Africa. The world braced for the unknown. South Africans braced for the worst. Elections were uncertain. I remember the day well. I was with a great bunch of fellow South Africans at South Africa House in Trafalgar Square, London. A lot of people around the world were expecting some form of violent outbreak spurred on by the strong believers in the old white rule. When the day finally came, the headlines read: “Peace breaks out in South Africa”. An inspiring day to be proud of for everyone! The world embraced.
This song “Neva Again” by “Prophets of Do City” features on a double CD pack (Winds Of Change) that Maude, the lovely mother of the lovely KT, got for me to remind me of my home.
“Excellent, finally a black president”
Listening to it does conjure up hope, for some I guess. I for one can look back and see so many of the changes that have blessed South Africa. Take the crime out of the equation for a second as difficult as it is to do, and look around and see the marvel that is South Africa. The freedom! The technology! The most beautiful country on earth.
~~~
How deeply saddened however I am today though 13 years later when someone like Jacob Zuma can me made president of the ANC (party in power) and strategically lined to be the next ruling president of this amazing nation. A “man” that has faced rape charges and got off after making a statement during his case along the lines of “she was wearing a short skirt so she deserved it”. Most people would see that as guilty as charged but not him and not our judicial system. Our deputy president gets off scott-free! Not only so, but he gets backed by the ANC Woman’s League??? What the fuck are these people thinking?
He also got off allegations and charges of fraud and corruption after selling his financial advisor and right hand man down the river and to jail. This man cannot be trusted!
Wikipedia sums it up nicely. Check out the references to his AIDS policy and the amazing effectiveness of the common shower. This man is going to be our LEADER? God help South Africa:
The fraud and corruption:
Zuma became involved in a controversy after his financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, was convicted of corruption and fraud, leading to his dismissal as deputy president in June 2005. Although Zuma was formally charged with corruption soon afterwards, the case was struck from the roll after the prosecution’s application for a postponement was dismissed.
The Rape:
In December 2005, he was also charged in the Johannesburg High Court with rape. The accuser, the young daughter of a deceased friend of Zuma’s from during the years of the struggle against apartheid, was known by Zuma to be HIV positive. On May 8, 2006, the Court dismissed the charges, agreeing that the sexual act in question was consensual. During the trial, Zuma admitted to having unprotected sex with his accuser but claimed that he took a shower afterwards to cut the risk of contracting HIV. This statement has been condemned by the judge, health experts, AIDS activists as well as ridiculed by the public in general.
Chaos on way as ANC hands Zuma top job, an article that depicts it quite well clearly explaining the shortfalls of this man’s integrity and leadership abilities. A sad day for South Africans and for South African politics.
Some excerpts from the column:
- JACOB Zuma, a controversial populist and polygamist with threats of prosecution for fraud and corruption hanging over his head, was last night elected leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress.
- But the intervening 15 months are certain to be the most tumultuous and precarious in South Africa since Nelson Mandela was sworn in on 10 May 1994.
- His victory means there are now two competing centres of supremacy in the country, with Mr Mbeki serving out the rest of his term as a lame duck head of state while 65-year-old Mr Zuma controls the ruling party. It is unclear how the two can be reconciled since the mutual hatred is deep. Mr Mbeki is broadly committed to a free market economy while Mr Zuma has relied opportunistically on the support of the communist and trade union wings of the broad ANC alliance to secure his rise to power.
- The differences are so stark and toxic that some commentators believe it is entirely possible that the 105-year-old movement will split between factions in the next few months.
- A decision must be made within the first two months of 2008 on whether to press charges of racketeering, tax evasion, fraud and corruption against Mr Zuma.
- The danger is that South Africa, long acclaimed as the continent’s beacon of hope, will become just another banana republic in which corruption is entrenched. Any hint of interference by Mr Zuma with the due process of the law would make his government a pariah.
- But the rand has already suffered a mini-collapse, seen as a warning by the international financial community, and South Africans will be looking nervously at what happens to the currency today now that Mr Zuma heads the ruling party.
