Zuma talks about everything but Nkandla on campaign trail
IF President Jacob Zuma has been having sleepless nights over public protector Thuli Madonsela’s damning report on his Nkandla residence, he is not showing it.
For Zuma, it has been business as usual — at least judging by outward appearances.
Zuma delivered the main speech at the South African Premier Business Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, a few hours after Madonsela released her report on Wednesday.
Since the report came out, he has not said a word about the upgrades, which are expected to cost the taxpayer nearly R250-million.
Zuma has left it to the ANC and government spin doctors to try to protect his image, and they have sought to emphasise that Madonsela found no wrongdoing on his part.
The president appears to have no intention of addressing the issue himself any time soon. This became evident as he embarked on the campaign trail in Potchefstroom, North West, on Thursday.
After arriving at 1pm for a function that was meant to have started at 10am, the ring of steel around him made it clear that his minders were unsure what to expect at public functions in the aftermath of the report.
Strict accreditation processes were in place, leaving many ANC supporters angry at being turned away.
Lesego Kalane, who had travelled from Klerksdorp, was not pleased when he was told to produce his ID book to verify the identity number he had provided.
“It’s not like we are here to vote. Why do they need our IDs now?” he asked angrily. “We provided the ID numbers but they are not good enough.”
Kalane was told to step out of the queue to make way for those who had their ID books on hand.
Zuma did appear to be tired at the event on Thursday. Even his rendition of his beloved Mshini Wami fight song lacked its usual gusto and fervour. His offthe-cuff speech was based on the same old “we-are-betterthan-the-other-parties” theme.
But everywhere he went, Nkandla followed him.
The president appears to have no intention of addressing the issue himself
Although he made no mention of the upgrade or Madonsela’s report, a young woman from the South African Communist Party who spoke at the Potchefstroom rally took a dig at the public protector — albeit with a twisted version of what Madonsela had said.
“Why is [she] changing now? First she said it was a fire pool, now she says it is a swimming pool? Zuma deserves those things,” the woman said.
Zuma seemed pleased with her speech, standing up to shake her hand and give her a hug.
Zuma gave no outward sign of concern, but it was clear — judging by the songs — that the ANC was in defensive mode. The crowd sang that those who do not want Zuma must leave the party.
After the event, Zuma was not available for the usual media doorstop, which allows him to give a wrap of the day’s events.
He found a soft landing at the Human Rights Day event in Sharpeville on Friday, which was dominated by ANC supporters who cheered his arrival at the George Thabe Stadium.
But with a relentless opposition seeking to milk the Nkandla report for all it is worth as the elections approach, the issue is likely to prove a lasting headache for Zuma.