Zuma’s slant on SA’s woes

President Jacob Zuma, pictured, called on South Africans yesterday to be patriotic and not to criticise their country, but rather work together to fight inequality and reverse the impact of apartheid.

“We have a responsibility to promote our country externally and to solve whatever problems we have internally in a patriotic and responsible manner,” Zuma said in his televised annual address to parliament’s National Council of Provinces. “Attacking South Africa and bad-mouthing the country when she is most vulnerable is irresponsible, especially if it’s done by South Africans themselves.”

He listed services provided by government to the poor, including social grants, free and subsidised housing and healthcare, free basic education for poor children and free municipal services among government’s achievements.

Poverty, said Zuma, was a result of the difficult economic climate and the legacy of apartheid “which has created a huge gap between the rich and the poor”.

“Many in the privileged classes get angry when we speak about the reality of the apartheid legacy as they want it forgotten. We will continue to work hard to reverse the horrible impact of this legacy,” he said.

“The income of a white household remains six times higher than that of a black household. Together we must fight and defeat this inequality.” – ANA

Poverty is result of the difficult economic climate and the legacy of apartheid.