It’s clear Zuma does not fully comprehend his oath of office
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma does not get it and he never will. South Africa and all those who love it are the poorer for it. He spoke from the heart last weekend when he boldly told the world that his party, the ANC, comes first, that it is more important than the country whose constitution he swore to uphold.
He believes in putting partisan politics above the wellbeing of the country.
The spin doctors and sycophants were hard at work, trying to palliate the sting of the president’s words. But that is quintessential Zuma; his off-the-cuff comments on gay people, women, the opposition . . . are always at odds with the law.
The ANC’s Keith Khoza said the president did not mean that at all, but rather meant that a liberation movement is important to a country. If the president had meant to emphasise the importance of a liberation movement in the history of a nation in bondage, then that is what he should have said!
It would also be helpful to highlight that history has shown that long after parties perish, the country continues to stand and suffer the ramifications of parties that have put their own needs above those of the country.
It is beyond despicable that a head of state, who travels all over the world, interacts with world leaders and makes decisions on behalf of the republic, lacks the proficiency to grasp something so rudimentary. We are not shocked because we have seen him merely flirt with democracy but never fully devote himself to it.
A perfect example of this is his deprived understanding of democracy, which he confuses with marjor itarianism. He has repeatedly and foolishly asserted that opposition parties have fewer rights because they are smaller.
This, of course, is not true and his party, the ANC, was a major protagonist in writing the constitution, which clearly defines our democratic framework and guarantees the protection and rights of minority groups. You don’t have fewer rights because you are smaller! The constitution envisaged that sometimes the majority is wrong.
The skies opened on May 9 2009 when Zuma lifted his hand in front on the whole world and solemnly vowed: “In the presence of those assembled here and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as president, I solemnly affirm to be faithful to the Republic of South Africa, and do solemnly and sincerely promise at all times to promote that which will advance, and to oppose all that may harm, the Republic; to obey, observe, uphold and maintain the constitution and all other law of the republic; to discharge my duties with all my strength and talents to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience; to do justice to all; and to devote myself to the wellbeing of the republic and all its people.”
The republic and all its people! There was no mention of political parties precisely because politics is a dirty game and parties are partisan. Their members’ contest for influence and control often results in unethical and illegal behaviour.
The constitution of the republic is meant to create boundaries, even for the parties that win elections. What the party wants is not always good for the country. And that we have to educate the president about this basic tenet is disconcerting.
When Zuma was sworn in, there was an unwritten act of generosity among journalists, columnists, writers and cartoonists. Even Zapiro removed the notorious shower from Zuma’s head. All commentary that week was about giving Zuma a chance and starting on a clean slate. Intuitively, commentators decided to give Zuma a break.
He will not remember this generosity because he loves playing the victim. He does not know why we talk about him so much. And he certainly does not know what it means to be the president of a country!
When Zuma was sworn in, there was an unwritten act of generosity among journalists, cartoonists