The biggest public humiliation for Zuma to date
THERE can be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that South Africa is experiencing a change on the political front – a BIG change!
The sheer foresight of the late Ahmed Kathrada, in requesting that Jacob Zuma not hold sway at his funeral, was a master stroke.
I have not seen anything like this since Nelson Mandela forthrightly refused to capitulate to calls for him to abandon the armed Struggle.
We all know what the result was of Madiba’s steadfast refusal on this matter.
Similarly, I am emotional, but hugely proud of the family of Ahmed Kathrada – of Barbara Hogan who, just as Madiba did, refused to capitulate to pressure to do the “right” and “polite” thing.
I will forever remember this moment. Jacob Zuma was not going to bulldoze his way into this one.
I offer that this had to be the biggest public humiliation Jacob Zuma had ever suffered.
The reading of Comrade Kathrada’s letter calling for Zuma to resign, the honouring of Pravin Gordhan during the ceremony, was for me, monumental.
That Gordhan and his (former) deputy Jonas Mcebisi are standing strong against what must be inhumane and unbearable pressure to buckle, fills me with pride and hope.
The tide is turning against Jacob Zuma, who must be feeling a bit like Hitler did in his last days at the Führerbunker.
For what it is worth, I salute every person, private or public, organisation and party leader, who had a hand in this swift change of attitude towards Jacob Zuma.
I am filled with excited optimism that we as South Africans are peaceloving, but do not push us too far. Jacob Zuma, you pushed too far.
#ZumaMustGo! OWEN SIMONS Lavender Hill