Zuma.ZA: Zuma all the Way!

ANC has successfully gripped a two third majority vote, it’s clear that it’s going to be a Zuma led South Africa. Nelson Mandela promised a rainbow nation, Mbeki promised an African Renaissance. The question now is, what is the promise of this self educated man?

If his campaign is anything to go by, he might restore South Africa to its original African heritage. During his campaign he was seen offering prayer to his ancestors, denounced same sex marriage as a ‘disgrace to God’. He called his political rivals, snakes and witches and defended polygamy as African. All in the meanwhile dancing to his favorite anti- apartheid song, ‘Bring me my machine gun. ’

Though you have to applaud Zuma for being able to become president three weeks after managing to get prosecutors to drop an eight year corruption and fraud case against him and comfortably waltzing into the presidency with an already tainted image.

That’s just one side of it. There are concerns of the recession that South Africa is currently facing for the first time in 17 years. Investors are a bit jittery on what Zuma’s plans are.
There are also concerns in the rise of ethnic tensions in the country. With reports of Zuma supporters accusing Thabo Mbeki’s Xhosa community of wanting to cling onto power and frustrating Zuma’s efforts of becoming the first Zulu to lead the country.

According to a BBC report some critics have accused Zuma of, ‘mixing a deadly cocktail of religion, ethnicity and politics.’ Mr. Zola Skweyiya an ANC ‘heavyweight’ spoke of the dangers of ignoring the demon of tribalism that is bubbling to the surface in South Africa.

The election was peaceful, for some it was an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to choose a leader who they feel would break their yoke of poverty, crime and unemployment. That is something that Zuma has promised to do. Others maybe just chest beating; celebrating that their community carried the day. Others strongly believe Zuma will revive the inclusive Rainbow Nation policy adopted by Mr. Mandela.

That might just be true; considering Zuma has received endorsement from Nelson Mandela and another senior ANC heavy weight, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mr. Ramaphosa is quoted saying in an interview with Johannesburg's Sunday Times newspaper, that "He [Zuma] is a team player. You are not going to see him go off on a limb. I see him more in a Mandela mode." Mr Seepe a political analyst seconds those sentiments stating that Zuma won’t be as arrogant as his predecessor, "He knows he's not educated, so he's a good listener," he adds.

Only time will tell us what Zuma’s grand plans are!