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A step beyond rhetoric
19/06/2008 08:44 - (SA)
Georgina Guedes
I used to work with a woman who was a supporter of Jacob Zuma. When I asked her how she could support a man who was known to be corrupt, her response was simple.
"They're all corrupt, and he's a brilliant leader."
This wasn't exactly the sweeping defence I'd been hoping for, but I could see where she was coming from. I tried to point out to her that the fact that he had been proven in a court of law to enjoy a corrupt relationship with Shaik should exempt him from a chance at the presidency as it would indicate a shameful lack of respect for the law in this country if he was to succeed, but she wouldn't be swayed.
I still feel that in a perfect world, a corrupt person could not be president of a country, but I'm coming to terms with the fact that the world is not perfect. Also, President Mbeki, of whom I was once a fervent supporter, has in the past year proven himself to be fairly corrupt himself. So perhaps my former colleague was right, and we should be going for the magnetic leaders, since no-one in power really knows how to behave anyway.
Zuma seems to be more willing to cast off quiet diplomacy and more willing to address Aids - if I disagree with his principles and his stance on oral sex, I can put my faith in the constitution where my ideologies differ from his.
The scariest thing about Zuma, however, is his supporters (my former colleague notwithstanding). In particular, that lunatic ANC Youth League president Julius Malema makes my blood run cold, which is not, I feel, a situation he would be unhappy with.
On Youth Day, June 16, a day on which we remember those who died in the struggle for freedom in this country, Malema proposed anarchy. "We are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma," he is reported to have said. "We are willing to kill if Zuma is tried."
Rabid drama queen
This call to arms against the justice system and the law enforcement in this country makes him look like a rabid drama queen. Zuma isn't some oppressed leader of the people being tried in a military state - he's a free man currently holding the position of president of the ANC, and the best thing that could happen to him would be for him to stand trial and be found innocent. If this isn't a possible outcome of a trial, the alternative is not anarchy and bloodshed.
Zuma has said all the right things to try and dismiss Malema's statements as rhetoric. "It cannot be correct for anyone to incite any section of our society to violence or to commit murder, for any reason whatsoever. We are in agreement with the Youth League in this regard."
This is good lip service, and a further statement that he also made is heartening. "At the [Polokwane] conference we took resolutions to work for organisational renewal, and to eradicate ill discipline and thuggery where it rears its ugly head."
But I don't think that Malema's statements are rhetoric. He's made a call to violence before, and the ANC should be very wary of allowing such an aggressive and angry man to continue to lead and influence the youth of their party. In the interests of "eradicating ill discipline", it's time for the ANC to distance themselves from Malema, not to continue to mildly paraphrase and excuse his incitement of violence in a country already rent apart by crime.
Georgina Guedes is a freelance journalist. Sometimes she gets cross.
Send your comments to Georgina.
Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
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Mal - ema
19/06/2008 09:19
As the subject line says Mal, or mad. Pity the rest of the surname doesn't have an extra "en" in it, then we could have enema. His name would then be Mal Enema. Mad Bum Mootie! I rest my case! - Metallica Man |
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We can only Hope
19/06/2008 09:21
I sincerely hope that Malema is the only one. However I fear that this is not the case. Re. Mbeki. Better the devil you know... - Nanker Phelje |
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The Others - No mention
19/06/2008 09:30
This is the kind of selective reporting that I have come use tofrom Media24 were journalist only convey half the facts to pursue their own single minded agendas. If we look at the word corruption ? it seems to me as if this word only came to birth post 1994 as the use of it was very limited under the old regime but the converse is true as the old regime also had a boerebond mentality whereby the old government enrich themselves through corrupted dealings and unethical business practice - as the jurno open the bag of worms in referring to corrupt officials why only referring to Mbeki and Zuma ? what about Verwoerd, Botha and many others who have made themselves guilty of the same evil corrupt dealings, why don?t they get a mention in your article and also the corrupt dealing of members of the DA and other opposition parties. As your friend said they are all corrupt. NOT AN ANC SUPPORTER - colin |
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Mshini wami
19/06/2008 09:33
Zuma says that it would be incorrect for anyone to incite violence?
This is an irony-free comment from a man who gleefully rabblerouses by singing the charming lyrics of "Bring me my machine gun..."
I suppose he's just going to use the machine gun for macrame lessons?
Crooks and liars, the lot of them. - Crooksandliars |
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Malema
19/06/2008 09:40
Well said Georgina. But let's not fool ourselves that the ANC will do any thing to censure him. Their marker in terms of accepting idiots within their ranks was put down years ago. If you belong to the ANC, ANYTHING goes. - Pete |
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Taking arms
19/06/2008 09:45
It is wrong to utter such statements on any day, it is also wrong to go after one man for a mere R5 million when Mbeki and his cronnies are all guilty of more corruption and mismanagement, rather lets investigate everyone in the ANC and lock all of them up for the common good of the people, let's NOT VOTE for them these coming elections!!!! - mb |
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colin this is the new south africa after 94
19/06/2008 10:05
and the ANC have to set an example. it is up to the anc to act like the peoples party and show us what not to do. it is rather stupid to act like the old regime in the new south africa is it not colin? south africa is no longer the wild west if anc poloticians want to act like cowboys they must go join zanupf in zimbabwe dont you agree? in true fashioned democratic counties in america and europ you dont see people making wild west statements do you?PS there is only one way totake those statements - terence |
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Crazy Youth Leader
19/06/2008 10:08
@Colin: This is a column, therefore, the opinion of the person writing it.
This Malema character is of great concern, can you imagine him and Zuma running SA?. Would make Mugabe look democratic by comparison.
- Bob |
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Need change
19/06/2008 10:18
We need an Obama in SA not necessarily white or black, just Obama. Someone who will knock sense into the majority of the people on the ground that voting has nothing to with colour anymore, but competency. Until then, I?m afraid we will see things getting worse and worse. - KAY |
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in response to Colin
19/06/2008 10:22
No one is denying the corruption of past regimes and leaders, but harping on the past to justify the present corruption / lack of accountability / refusal to accept responsibility / crime / indifference / bad service delivery is a futile and lazy argument. We cannot change the past, but we can hold the current leadership accountable - now. - outsidr |
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Ignorance is Bliss
19/06/2008 10:27
Well written article! Mbeki, Zuma, Mugabe are leaders for a third world population and the third world mentality is dominant in Africa. Anyone who considers themselves first world, with a corresponding mentality, black or white, is forever going to struggle to come to terms with this situation. Apartheid is dead and can never return, yet black people wld never vote for a white Gov, even though they know it could bring economic benefit, control and a disciplined society. - Sean |
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Reality check
19/06/2008 10:42
Colin, wake up and get rid of the chip on you shoulder. Georgina, is refering to a frightening incident which could take this country down a path of no return. The article relates to Malema and his questionable support of Zuma. This is not an article on the corrupt history of South African politicians. We all now what happened 20 years ago, this is however relevant to TODAY!
- Richard |
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ANC Press statement
19/06/2008 10:53
In a press briefing and in reaction to the statement by Julius Maleme at yesterday?s youth day rally the ANC spokesperson and executive most important assistant to Jesse Deterte, Uyaba Uyidonki had the following to say:
?The ANC wants to make it very clear that the organisation distances itself from any calls to kill people, even if they are apartheid sympathisers, evil forces opposing the revolution, colonialists, Imperialists, white racists or imperialists?
?Reports that comrade Julius Malema threatened to kill or to have anyone killed for preventing or trying to prevent ANC President , comrade Jacob Zuma, from becoming President of the country, are entirely false and once again mischief making by the white owned press? Uyidonki said
?It is suggested in the press that comrade JZ when comrade Malema made his statement and the suggestion that comrade JZ jumped up and started singing Umshini Wami is a downright lie? he said with tears running down his cheeks and waving his wooden AK 47 above his head.
?The only time killing was mentioned at the rally was when comrade Zuma said people in the ANC that are misbehaving will be disciplined by killing them with love and affection? Uyidonki concluded.
- GeorgeA |
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Colin....
19/06/2008 11:05
Get over yourself bra. Not once did anyone mention anything about the old regime NOT being corrupt, but the difference is that most of our people, black and white, have suffered even worse social and economic conditions under this new ANC regime. The 'struggle' is most certainly not over my friend, and in fact, it's worse! Only difference is that now everyone is suffering, this country has been taken from bad to worse. That is the bottom line. The ANC will run this country into the ground, watch! - Zee |
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Its is so sad...
19/06/2008 11:25
I have been reading these blogs for a while now and it is interesting to see the different views. I do, however, find it so sad that many of the black people who take part in these discussions blindly defend the indefendable actions by the ANC and the government and wholeheartedly believe the most pathetic explanations for these indefendable actions. They also blindly believe their leaders brainwashing ie: "If you don't vote for us the whites will take over and you will be their slaves again." - Karen |
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Georgina
19/06/2008 11:43
I disagree with you Georgina, about just accepting that they are all corrupt. We should never accept this, and if anybody is found to be corrupt, they should be removed from office or not allowed to run. This is the problem, everything is acceptable these days, corruption, violence, etc. - Silver Surfer |
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Zee
19/06/2008 11:51
Well said Zee. This country will go down with idiots like Zuma in charge. This will become another Zim. - Thandi |
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ANC can't leave the past
19/06/2008 12:01
The core of the ANC in times past was to struggle against apartheid. Now that it's gone they still struggle against apartheid. They will always struggle against apartheid. Even now they struggle so hard against apartheid. Bad governance is because of apartheid. Their hemmoroids are because of apartheid. The sky is blue because of apartheid and Eskom is to blame for apartheid. Zim was caused by apartheid and uncle Bob too. That sounds about right hey Colin? - Pietskiet |
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Its also so sad...
19/06/2008 12:14
Karen, that the opposite also applies. Anything done by a black government can NEVER be good enough, according to whites.You can also blame your white political parties for not being convincing enuf. People do want an alternative! But none of the opposition parties can convince the majority that they can run the country better AND have the INTERESTS OF THE POOR AT HEART. A white gov wud probably create more jobs,bt wud not be willing to share the wealth of this land. - Fraud |
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