Zuma’s action not at all presidential
FINANCE Minister Pravin Gordhan has always maintained that he serves at the pleasure of the president.
Whims would be a more accurate description of the impulses that drive Jacob Zuma, but Gordhan is nothing if not decorous and so you would expect stately etiquette from him, even in the most trying circumstances.
Zuma’s latest pop at the finance portfolio has elicited similar responses to before.
The currency, for some months now on a terrific tear against the US dollar, gave up ground immediately on news that Zuma had summoned Gordhan back to South Africa from the UK, where he was leading another delegation on a global investment charm offensive.
Add to that the uncertainty – arguably the most debilitating aspect of Zuma’s incessantly bad tinkering – that descends on the country and you wonder if the man has any capacity to learn from previous events.
Of course, following the directives of your patrons at the expense of the country you lead tends to leave one exposed in the selflessness department.
Zuma is about Zuma, we know that now.
We’re also getting closer to the confirmation we need that the state capture project involves the highest office in the land. Treasonous, much?
The timing of his latest manoeuvre begs a question. Why now?
It may well be the anticipated cabinet reshuffle, with Gordhan the centrepiece, is imminent.
Perhaps, as some speculated, it had to do with the minister’s application against the Guptas, currently in the North Gauteng High Court, although that is looking a less likely indicator.
Whatever the foundation for calling Gordhan and his team home, it could not have been more ill-advised.
It goes to show how little Zuma has appreciated the efforts of his ministers, unions and business to sell a positive story to the world in a bid to stave off a credit downgrade and to keep the investment taps open.
Zuma, as he has shamelessly demonstrated, couldn’t care two hoots.
He may be our elected commander-in-chief but there is nothing remotely presidential on display. Worse, we fear, is yet to come from the man.