Save this kakiocracy

APRIL 7 marked the apex of President Jacob Zuma’s series of blunders. These have now galvanised the nation against Zuma’s kakiocracy. Never have we seen a president so intent on immersing the country in a stinking socioeconomic quagmire. The treasury raid culminating in the dismissal of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas – both highly regarded on the domestic and international financial markets – signifies the acceleration of a fierce battle.

Our president’s name is as synonymous with corruption as a nail is with a finger. In the aftermath of the Polokwane coup, in January 2008, I wrote in this newspaper that Zuma would take the country over the edge and drown it just like the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Now downgraded to junk status we are almost done.

Zuma apologists speak of a presidential prerogative for appointing and dismissing ministers, as if this is a licence to mulish recklessness and insanity. It seems as if Isaiah was referring to JZ when he wrote: “You will ever be hearing but never understanding/ You will ever be seeing but never perceiving/ For the people’s heart has become calloused.”

As his blunders have got bigger and more unethical his heart has become more calloused.

The humiliating manner in which Zuma executed his vile Machiavellian plot and his treatment of Ahmed Kathrada’s family is not only a grave insult of a revered ex-Robben Island prisoner who had served the country with humility and distinction, but puts into question the state of the president’s mind.

With our economy on a knife-edge how could a sane head of state recall a highly competent finance minister who was busy seeking important investors simply to unceremoniously dump him? Reckless and manic behaviour indeed.

The only spin-off of the blind and blunt misrule is that it has united the nation across political, class and racial divides in a bid to get rid of him.

This may seem to be a case of too little too late, but Zuma and his capture force will surely not break the resolve of the people.

As usual this man thinks he can outsmart us but his are the last kick of a dying horse.

Zuma is now campaigning for his ex-wife who will surely, willingly or not, have to continue his legacy of pillage and even grant him presidential pardon should he be convicted of the 783 charges hanging over his head.

Let us accelerate the tempo to get rid of this obnoxious man and the government of the Zuptas so that come 2019 a new and morally upright governing party will sweep out the stables of corruption and lead this country along a constitutional route once more.

Zuma and his gang of looters must be charged with high treason against the people of Mzantsi, thrown into the darkest cell and the key tossed away. — Vivi Mpikashe, via e-mail

I LOVE how white people and other wealthy blacks people are trying to make us feel guilty for not joining the “Save South Africa” march.

Remember we are the same youth that you called ungrateful when you called in on John Robbie’s show on 702 during our “Fees Must Fall” campaign. We are the same “irrational”, lazy ” spoon-fed” youth you criticised when we took to the streets in our academic regalia during our “Hire A Graduate” marches.

We are the same youth you described as “hooligans” when we “barricaded” streets with stones, burning tyres, demanding basic services from government that we brought into power.

We are the kids that were in uniform toyitoying and blocking roads in demanding classrooms. Now go ahead, it’s your turn now – pick up that placard and walk 15km to the Union Buildings and stop trying to make us feel guilty for not joining you. We have a syllabus to finish and kids to feed. — Asanda James, via e-mail

I FEEL sad when I hear lots of negative opinions about the country and how these marches are not going to change anything.

I think they are a step in the right direction and an opportunity for our rainbow nation to unite for a common cause.

I had to work on Friday but still got to join in just an hour before my shift started.

In that time I had the privilege of meeting, young at heart Kathy, 93, who I must add, was in a wheelchair. She really was an example, showing there are few excuses for not taking part.

So many protesters came up to her to say what an inspiration she was – in the rain, I might add.

If it wasn’t for this protesting, I would not have met the handful of interesting people that I did, such as Kathy. Whether “it will make a difference” is not as key as the fact that all these diverse people are willing to try and unite. — Casey, via e-mail

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