ANC supports Facebook debate

2008-09-05 08:16

Durban - The African National Congress has no problem with its president Jacob Zuma popping up on social networking website Facebook in groups for and against him becoming president of the country.

"We encourage a healthy dialogue on a variety of issues, including... Jacob Zuma," said spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi on Thursday.

"We think it is a very healthy environment - people are voicing their own feelings about this issue."

One of the largest groups, with 52 021 members, is entitled "Help us stop Jacob Zuma from becoming South Africa's next president".

Innocent till proven guilty

It is unknown who started the group or if rival politicians had anything to do with it. Other Zuma-related groups on Facebook include one entitled: "Dude, I'd rather vote for [US president George] Bush, than Zuma!" with 69 members, "Jacob Zuma: Our next president" with seven members, "Jacob Zuma - Innocent until proven guilty", 14 members and "I don't necessarily like Jacob Zuma but put [his trademark song] umshini wami on the charts!!", 27 members. There is also the "Jacob Zuma appreciation society " which has 81 members.

The person who initiated the "Help us stop Jacob Zuma" group wrote in his space: "I have started this group in the hope that all South Africans join together to save our country from the possibility of Jacob Zuma becoming the next president.

"I strongly believe that should Zuma take control that South Africa would end its prosperous growth. You have the choice".

The site states that it also has an official Zuma group ringtone, and only allowed intelligent debate.

"We encourage mature discussions on whether or not you support this cause. Hate speech not only undermines the credibility of this group, but portrays Zuma as a media victim! This does nothing but backfire against the very cause that this group is striving for," it reads.

News too

The group will not tolerate racist comments, death threats, personal attacks on members of the group, any form of hate speech, foul language and adverts. The group has also posted pictures of Zuma. His main profile picture has, imposed on it, a red circle with red bar struck through it.

The group's discussion board also allows for news on other political parties and whether one should vote for them.

Political analyst Dr Siphamandla Zondi said he believed the group would have minimal effect on the ANC's performance in the 2009 elections.

"Anything done electronically has its own limitations, but the internet only covers a small portion of the voting population. The impact of campaigning by internet is very limited," he said.

"These campaigns or groups would have a greater impact if they targeted poorer people through different channels. Targeting poorer people would then swing change."

Following this week's national working committee meeting, the ANC encouraged debate on fighting a solution on the Zuma issue, saying it is dividing the nation.

- SAPA