Actually, Zuma & Co did well at polls

IN the days when quoting William Shakespeare was fashionable, we were taught that famous quote from The Merchant of Venice: “All that glisters is not gold.”

Often things are deceptive in their appealing look. Such is the case with South Africa’s fourth local government election results.

To most commentators, the results were a blow to President Jacob Zuma and the “ANC of Zuma”. The “dismal” result for the ANC is attributed to Nkandla, the fiasco at the SABC and the Guptas, among other things.

Professor Adam Habib in “Election setback proves that Zuma’s scandals do matter” (August 7) suggests that the election result can be laid squarely at the feet of the president.

But if one were to take a closer look at the results, bar the Nkandla municipality, the Zuma team in the ANC — and therefore the national executive committee — did pretty well. On the other hand, the Gwede Mantashe grouping got smacked in their provinces; this is where the ANC suffered hard losses.

Founders of the so-called premier league — the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West — scored 100% for the ANC in municipality gains. With the exception of a few wards in eThekwini, run by the Zuma team, the ANC fared well.

The other side, however, suffered heavy losses. Most notable was Gauteng. While we are told that the Gauteng ANC leadership is capable of demanding their own premier and mayors, they seem not to be able to muster enough support on the ground.

At the same time, the predictable heavy losses in the Western Cape point to a lack of leadership there.

Nelson Mandela Bay, the economic hub of the Eastern Cape — and Mantashe’s home province — fell to the DA despite heavy campaigning.

Habib hype suggests that Zuma suffered in this election. This is far from the truth. In fact, it solidified his support. — Wesley Seale, Grahamstown

Word will spread to villages

ADAM Habib’s narrative is an echo of the many frustrated voices of a disgruntled electorate. It’s astonishing that some in the ruling alliance still regard Zuma as their messiah despite the election results.

The majority who voted for the opposition did so as a result of the damage Zuma has done to the body politic of our nation. Those in urban/metro areas who are trendsetters will pass on the message when they go to their respective villages. Very interesting times for the ruling party. — Matete Letsie, Bodibe Village

Tired old tricks didn’t work

THE ANC has been living in its own bubble for some time now and has lost touch with reality. It was about time it was brought down to earth like this.

And if they thought the 2016 elections were a very bad year, they should imagine how bad things have been for us since they parachuted Zuma out of the wilderness to become our president. There is no political party that is bigger than the citizens of the country.

Zuma, among other things such as corruption and the Guptas, cost the ANC votes. They knew he would cost them votes, but put him first instead of the country, hoping that the food parcels and free T-shirts would bring them votes. Not all of us are easily fooled by these old and tired tricks.

There’s a serious leadership crisis in the ANC. People who had the potential to be leaders decided to become Zuma’s cheerleaders. They are all contaminated with his corruption and arrogance. — TI Sibilanga, Rustenburg

ANC arrogance laid bare

I HAVE been watching the local elections with interest. I’m very happy for the opposition parties, especially the DA and EFF.

The ruling party has become so arrogant, thinking that voters are fools. “We will rule until Jesus comes” is testimony to its arrogance.

I’m also very impressed by Mmusi Maimane’s stance on cronyism, “Vindicated Maimane takes aim at ‘cronies’ ”(August 7).

These elections I hope have opened eyes to the arrogant ANC-led government. — Fanga Frans Jood, Kuruman

Good for democracy

THE ANC has lost some ground. It is arrogant, stubborn, uses vulgar language and referred to black supporters of the DA as confused and stupid. The ANC believes it owns black people and at the same time it does not respect its supporters.

Penalties loom for Danny

IS there any truth in the rumour that Danny Jordaan is going to change his name to Danny You’redone? It has not taken too long for the infamous Port Elizabeth wind to blow Danny boy out of the water. The situation could worsen for Danny as things are starting to reach Fifa-r pitch regarding our World Cup bid. Maybe just one too many own goals has sunk desperate Dan. — Keith Chipiwa, Randburg

For the ANC, losing some ground is good for democracy because a country dominated by one party is not healthy. — Zondiwa Rikhotso, Giyani

DA’s new BFF, Hogarth?

NO mention of Mini Obama or the Desperate Alliance in the Sunday Times? Interesting indeed that the ridiculing of the DA has stopped since the local elections.

So, Hogarth, old buddy, old pal, are they absolved of their sins of good governance and political ambition or are they merely on the back burner? Paving the way for good understanding with the future leaders perhaps? C’mon, old chap, what is it that you know that you think the rest do not already know?

Keep up the good work — despite the little jibe, I still save your column as pudding on Sundays. — Henk du Toit, Bloemfontein

Worthy of mention, surely

I COULD find no mention in your paper of the thrilling men’s cycle race at the Olympics in Rio. Yet out of a field of nearly 150, of whom 81 failed even to finish, South African Louis Meintjes came seventh. — Louise Asmal, by e-mail

Take deadbeat dads to court

“SINGLE moms sacrifice to support kids” (August 7) refers.

A growing number of single mothers spend every cent on their children’s support and find it impossible to save. Only 12% in a survey received regular support from the fathers of their children.

To the best of my knowledge there is a maintenance court that RED CARD: Soccer boss and ex-mayor Danny Jordaan determines how much fathers must pay. It is deducted from bank accounts or salaries.

Mothers should take them to court and not suffer in silence. Any male can be a father neglecting all responsibility. It takes a man to be a dad. — Vivienne Lloyd, by e-mail

No licence to mock faith

THE cartoon by Zapiro depicting President Jacob Zuma and Danny Jordaan in Nelson Mandela Bay watching Jesus walk across the bay was potentially insulting to Christians.

It is common knowledge that prior to the elections Zuma indicated that the ANC would rule until “Jesus came”. This was an inconsiderate statement by the president, who is not known for his sense of judgment.

Nonetheless, Zapiro does not have the sanction to pillory a religion. — Nathan Cheiman, Northcliff

Next stop the ombudsman

“ABANDON hope ye who enter here” (July 31) refers.

I strongly advise Shanthini Naidoo to take her issues up with the ombudsman. My family is struggling to get closure on my late father’s estate more than two years after he passed away. — Freddy, by e-mail