Tell us why, Mr President

SO PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has seen the need to wield the axe, chopping and changing the members of his executive for the umpteenth time.

It made front page and headline news across the media, but as the tinker man moves pieces on his morabaraba – many would hasten to say aimlessly – does the nation care?

Opinions varied, as expected, as to why there was a need to chop, while playing musical chairs as well.

We cannot deny the president his prerogative to appoint the people he deems fit to fulfil the government ’ s mandate – chiefly delivery of a better life for all. But we cannot agree more with prudent commentary asking what difference it really makes? Did the outgoing individuals, and many of their former colleagues, do much to change our lives?

Cynics would point out that one Dina Pule will be remembered more for her expensive red-soled shoes and for virtually letting a friend run her department than for any good she did during her tenure as communications minister.

Many will feel sorry for axed Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale, who seemingly paid the price for opposing Zuma’s re-election as ANC president. We saw that one coming.

But this entire reshuffle business has become a yawn, hence the indifference to it.

Clearly Zuma gets some kick out of it to do the deed four times in fewer than four years. How are we to make sense of the countless changes, among them a sideways shift for a transport minister he appointed less than a year ago?

We are not sure how our happy-go-lucky first citizen decides on these changes. Has he got advisers or is it just him going in head first?

Is it not perhaps time the nation was taken into some confidence as to what the president looks for when appointing people to his cabinet?

It would be great to know whether a cadre’s competence counts for anything ahead of their getting the job. It would be nice to tell the nation what is expected of them so that we can see whether they measure up.

Zuma breezed into office with the promise of an accountable executive that signed performance contracts. Is the bloodletting the result of the hallowed-yet-secretive performance contracts?

If so, why are others in the cabinet, who are clearly out of their depth, still on the joyride?

Until such questions are answered or seen to be answered honestly, the reshuffles will look like the president’s little game he plays to settle old scores while rewarding the pliant.