JZ cannot hurt ANC, will still win elections

YOUR front page lead story “JZ taking ANC down” in last week’s Sunday Tribune, refers:

According to the article, analysts have stated that the infighting in the ANC and former president Jacob Zuma’s machinations will end its twodecade dominance and force it into a coalition government.

I believe this is an overreaction and an exaggeration of the situation. It must be noted that historically Kwazulu-natal has always been regarded as a politically challenging province.

During apartheid, the schism between the English and the Afrikaaners was marked, with Afrikaaner domination creating a great deal of resentment among English-speaking voters in this province, then known as Natal.

Natal was regarded by the Afrikaaners as the last outpost of English domination.

After gaining freedom from white minority rule in 1994, South Africa again faced a similar situation in Kwazulu-natal – this time, the IFP against the ANC for dominance in the province.

Although the IFP won our first democratic provincial election, nationally the ANC had a sweeping victory, taking 62.65% of the votes, just short of a two-thirds majority.

I strongly believe the ousting of Zuma will not affect the ANC seriously in next year’s elections, and it will win by a huge majority.

It must be noted generally that political loyalties are fickle, making people change their minds on prevailing issues. Some are prepared to trade their votes even for a bag of mealie meal.

With President Cyril Ramaphosa’s tough stance against crime and corruption, the electorate is going to cast aside its tribalism and opt for good governance and security.

An added encouragement is that the government is doing its very best and making serious attempts to invite industrialists and create job opportunities which is going to capture the confidence of the voters.

JAYRAJ BACHU Clare Estate