‘Charm offensive’ in KZN over Zuma
FEARS of a serious fall-out if President Jacob Zuma is recalled, or pushed to resign, as head of state have forced ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa to embark on a charm offensive.
Yesterday, Ramaphosa and other ANC officials descended on KwaZuluNatal, Zuma’s stronghold, in what was interpreted as a visit to manage the fires that could rage if the president is ousted.
Several party sources in KZN and other parts of the country believe Zuma’s departure could fracture the organisation if it’s not handled well, leading to apathy among ANC voters in the crucial province ahead of the 2019 local elections.
This emerged as Umkhonto we Sizwe officials yesterday led the push against Zuma’s ousting, saying they would meet today to discuss “unfortunate” calls for the president to be recalled by the ANC.
The party’s national executive committee meets for the first time on Wednesday, where Zuma’s fate is set to dominate discussions and could be sealed.
Ramaphosa, his deputy, David Mabuza, secretary-general Ace Magashule, national chairperson Gwede Mantashe and treasurergeneral Paul Mashatile met Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini at his palace in Nongoma, northern KZN.
Zwelithini is a crucial figure in the politics of the province, whose approval is always sought by parties, including the ANC, Inkatha Freedom Party and EFF, to get votes in elections.
Ramaphosa told Zwelithini that they were going to work hard to ensure they renew and reposition the ruling party.
Zuma has ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast
A SPECIAL official state funeral will be held for the late highly respected author, poet and political activist Professor Keorapetse William Kgositsile on Tuesday, January 16.
President Jacob Zuma yesterday declared a special official funeral for Kgositsile, popularly known by his pen name “Bra Willie”, who died on January 3.
The special official funeral category is for distinguished persons specifically designated by the president, Zuma’s spokesperson, Bongani Ngqulunga, said yesterday.
He said Zuma had ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast at every flag station countrywide on the day of the funeral, where the eulogy would be delivered by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Further details of the special official funeral would be communicated by Kgositsile’s family and the Department of Arts and Culture.
Zuma had expressed his deep condolences to the family of Kgositsile.
The poet laureate was born in Johannesburg and grew up in a small shack at the back of a house in a white neighbourhood, and attended Matibane High School in Johannesburg and schools elsewhere in the country.
He had been an influential member of the ANC in the 1960s and 70s, and lived in exile in the US from 1962 until 1975, studying African-American literature during the peak of his career.
Kgositsile had been inaugurated in 2006 as South Africa’s first national poet laureate and was a recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga for his contribution to the literature.
Some of his accomplishments include receiving the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Prize, the Harlem Cultural Council Poetry Award, the Conrad Kent Rivers Memorial Poetry Award, the Herman Charles Bosman Prize and the national Order of Ikhamanga Silver (OIS) for excellent achievements in the field of literature and using these exceptional talents to expose the evils of the system of apartheid to the world. field of