Since Jacob Zuma’s first public scandal to the most recent disgraceful act regarding exhorbitant upgrades to his compound (yes Mac, sue me!) in Nkandla, the man has managed to squirm albeit scarred and soiled and saunter straight into another mess. The exasperation clearly evident in commentator’s voices and writings about this man and his inability to sense the anger and spiritual daggers aimed at him is proof of his lack of common sense. So, who is this man, Zuma?
Firstly, very little is known about his background. No childhood friends, former schoolmates or even former teachers have come out to share tidbits about about the individual. His “official” biographers (Gwede Mantashe, Mac Maharaj and the ANC) have made sure that there is scant information about Jacob Zuma out there. For a man of his stature and reputation not even his siblings are heard of. It is said that he has two brothers. I beg to differ. Look, we even know about how Mandela came to be baptised “Nelson”. This has been corroborated by Mandela himself as well as his peers. The world knows about his family, extended family and close playments. As for Zuma, we only know that his father was a policeman, his mother a domestic worker and that the former passed on while Zuma was still a young man. End of anecdote.
The lack of background information has worked to Zuma’s advantage because being a former head of “Underground Structures” of the ANC, he thrived and continues to flourish on the basis of information peddling. That may explain his penchant for tunnels and bunkers. It is very likely the reason why crime intelligence police in South Africa are preoccupied with snooping upon each other instead of understanding the M.O of the real criminals causing so much discomfort in South Africa.
That brings me to the issue of the so-called “secret tapes” that Zuma Inc. has refused to release to the DA despite a court order. While most South Africans are probably looking forward to reading about some frenzied cloak & dagger operation, I will bet my last Rand that this is not the case. In fact, I dare say that those transcripts are likely to contain mundane banter between high-powered ANC cadres discussing very personal matters. Billion-rand tenders, parties to celebrate mediocre achievements, mistresses, money laundering, a hit or two, some subtle sabotage and of course musical chairs. The ANC’s favourite pastime.
Naturally, this would be a cause for some serious embarrassment for the folks concerned and entertainment to the rest of us. It would also confirm tales doing the rounds in the underground press about Zuma’s sordid personal life, diabolical subterfuge, the cover-ups and even instances where he’s almost certainly placed the security of this country at serious risk.
Jacob Zuma is a man at war with his past and for as long as his allies’ pockets remain well lined and palms greased constantly, we will only have ourselves to blame when he romps back to Union Buildings in 2014. As president. Once again.
The launch of Microsoft’s ‘new’ tablet PC has left many hardware manufacturers with a very bitter taste in the mouth. Many will recall how Microsoft forced hardware manufacturers like HP and DELL to ‘optimise’ their kit for Windows only ‘or else’. They did not ask any questions because they (hardware manufacturers) desperately needed sales and the billions on revenue that flowed back into their coffers. I watched and laughed as the same vendors were out of words when asked to comment on the launch of ‘Surface’. Now that MS has shown their card, I would expect hardware manufacturers to embrace alternative operating systems too. Pity that may of them are yoked to long-term ‘exclusive’ tie-ups with MS.
Over the past decade, MS has been playing catch-up with industry trends. There’s no doubt their new device is going to find a substantial fan base however, it may find itself following the same shortened hype graph as Blackberry’s Playbook. As for the vendors ‘tricked’ by the long-term tie-ups, they have themselves to blame for being so shortsighted.
It took MS close to 15 years to gain traction in mobility by tying up with Nokia. It has taken an additional three years to deliver a functional tablet PC and there is no guarantee that it is actually functional except that it runs then Windows OS.
This should be a lesson to hardware manufacturers about being led by the nose by companies such as MS. HP in particular should be bowing their heads in shame.
Hopefully, we will see hardware manufacturers now embracing alternative operating systems for their end-user products. Alternatively, Samsung & Co. could consider foraging into the back-end and levelling the playing field there too like they have done at the front-end.
My two cents.
Vladimir Putin must be the unluckiest person in the world today. Downgraded from G8 into a cacophony of 3rd-class, 3rd world presidents with lots of mineral resources, armies and populations to kill. He probably wishes he was president at the time that drunk, Boris Yeltsin was quaffing vodka shots before, after and in-between meetings.
Thankfully, his wish was granted when he engineered Dimitri Medyedev to be caretaker president as he took time to fix his marital affairs (i.e. divorce his old missus and marry a former Russian gymnast). It took him the better part of 7 years. Once back, Putin wasted no time making sure that everyone knew the boss was back. Pity, he still as not considered cultured enough to eat with the likes of Cameron, Obama and that luscious former French president. Yes, Sarkozy.
Anyway, as boss, he’s not in control of the 3rd largest army in the world after Zimbabwe and China respectively. Don’t worry about Zim, most of their army is actually the Harare Fire Brigade and they fire water canons. Enough to take over South Africa. Only.
Now about Putin. Yoked to a simpleton like Zuma in BRICSA must be a painful insult. He probably looks at Zuma and wonders what the bloody hell he’s done to be considered an equal with someone who’d not even qualify to hand him toilet paper after taking a dump in one of the Kremlin’s golden lavatories.
That brings me to my beef with the nincompoop (read Zuma). I watched the clip where he “emphatically” said he’d not debate with the DA leader because she’s a premier and he’s president. He “advised” her to go debate with ANC premiers. So rich from a man who cannot read simple six-figure digits without hesitating to count his fingers first.
We’re told that Jacob Zuma is an “avid reader” and my guess is that nursery rhymes and kiddie puzzles are probably top on the list.
If he cared to read serious literature, he’d know that most US presidents were either governors or senators. Most UK PM’s were councilors or back-benchers and that most EU leaders today are from the extreme (left or right) depending on which country you’re looking at.
Jacob Zuma has been and remains the biggest disaster South Africa has experienced so far. His corrupt, inept, murderous and now bordering on despotism regime has taken many to the Africa of Idi Amin, Bokassa, Eyedema, Mobutu and Nasser. Unless neutered, Zuma will live to believe that it is his God-given right to pillage South Africa for the benefit of his himself and his fellow goons in the ANC (including benefactors). This has to come to an end.
On May 7 2014, you must go and vote with your conscience, not your stomach.
Have a good day.
The Grand Old Man’s passing on should be treated as a celebration of a life lived and the power of forgiveness. Consider the following;
- He cop-opted his most recent jailer into his cabinet.
- He shared the Nobel Peace Prize with his former jailer.
- He had tea with the wife of the architect of apartheid, the system then eventually led to Mandela being jailed for 27 years.
- He also embraced the judge who sentenced him to 27 years in jail for “terrorism”.
- He never spent time looking over his shoulder reminding South Africans about the past.
- He was a fierce advocate for intellectual independence and government accountability to the electorate. Hence he served on term and left the country to determine its own future.
- He was ready to admit his mistakes, how he’s learnt from them and naturally become a better individual.
Those are my seven reasons to be cerebrating Nelson Mandela’s life from now on. Find your seven.
Have a great day.
A continental talk-shop called “Africa Com 2012” ends this morning. Like all other conferences, delegates and exhibitors tired from a 3-day pissing competition will go home broke and carrying massive hangovers. The lucky ones may have sampled more than alcohol and food in Capetown *wink*
Forums pertaining to the telecommunications industry have become boring and tedious. In the past decade, this industry has been recycling a select pool of personalities and presenting them as instigators of innovation and progress. What really happened to new blood, originality and direction? The awards ceremonies are another farce and I strongly suspect that there is some money changing hands to position certain companies over others. Go back the ten years and peruse the list of presenters and awards. Majority of the winners are companies that spend huge sums on advertising, exhibition space and “sponsorships”. The entire judging panel are themselves as impartial and objective as Olympic figure-skating-umpires.
Therefore, why are we not surprised to witness the same faces year-in-year-out standing before delegates and telling the world how they have contributed ‘strategically’ to the positioning of ICT in the continent (er, what does that actually mean?). Surely, what can some CEO or CXO add to a company for ten years? Single-handedly? Surely, these people seem to believe that they have a monopoly on intellectual thought.
Not only this a clear indication of lack of leadership and succession planning but I also blame the conveners of such shows for not engaging deep research to get unearth the best practitioners to share their success stories.
The president of South Africa was also in Capetown but did not even make the proverbial technical appearance because he was too busy being tutored on how to answer tough questions in Parliament. I bet he’s going to do away with some of his handlers. Instead of walking around shaking hands at the conference, he was brought to tears on National television in Parliament. The simple reason being that he was unable to provide accurate answers to the scandal surrounding the cost of developments around his ‘humble’ compound somewhere near the end of the earth. Funded by the taxpayer. You and I.
The main contradiction here is that the minister of public works, a bad-tempered oaf called Thulas Nxesi proclaimed the homestead a “national keypoint”, the president then goes on record and says it is his “personal home”. Now, if the president’s personal abode is a national keypoint, then so is mine. This current government is so messed up. We live in a country where the leaders currently operating in “monkey mode”. Sadly, without a coherent alternative, we’re stuck with these monkeys for another two more years. That is before they ask the country once again to undress, bend over and let them screw us for another five years (aka second term, second coming, second iteration of the first coming twice again… or whatever Tony Yengeni the unmitigated ex-con wants to call it).
Finally, I hope all delegates visiting Capetown this week (including the rent-a-crowd MP’s bussed by the ANC to cheer Zuma’s answers in the National Assembly) went home poorer, tired and looking forward to the Capetown nightlife next time courtesy of yet another ‘successful’ event. The local prostitutes also have enough money to take a break, recharge their batteries and be primed to be ravished come the long December holidays.
Perhaps the United States government was trying to tell us something when the retired former US secretary of state Ms. Madeleine Albright referred to the ANC as “terrorists”. Thereafter it took much cajoling and behind-the-scenes diplomacy to remove this tag. Nelson Mandela and a few others were “cleared” however, others remained in the list. Note than even as Ms. Condoleeza Rice replaced Mr. Donald Rumsfield, in the same capacity (secretary of state) there were still a number ANC big-wigs on the US terror “watchlist”. Notably, one Tokyo Sexwale and Cyril Ramaphosa. The former, in an apparent show of unintelligent bravado “declared” that he does not really care and would not bother to visit that country anyway. In any capacity. Like we really cared too Mr. Sexwale.
Well back home, in 1988, the late Dr. Nthato Motlana said ; “…The Sharpeville Massacre chillingly portrayed the readiness of the state to use violence to counter and crush opposition, a willingness that has been seen time and time again since then…” Now, replace “Sharpeville” with “Marikana” and I will let you arrive at your own deduction.
The massacre that took place in Marikana cannot be wished away. Neither can it be covered-up or white-washed for the sake of protecting a kleptocratic government that will not hesitate to sacrifice lives at the altar of greed, power and self-preservation.
Successive ANC regimes since the departure of Nelson Mandela have one after another degenerated to the level of house-boy politics we now experience. The ANC cannot and will never evolve from an intolerant, insensitive and militaristic organization into one that places the interests of all South Africans before their very own. Secondly, our constitution clearly states that we are a nation of laws. The problem here is that the president and his henchmen are busy breaking laws and getting away with it. So, it would be safe to say that we are definitely not a nation of laws. No? Well prove me wrong.
The same courts that the ANC made a beeline for seeking redress when Zapiro and Brett Murray lampooned Zuma are the same courts that have been ignored by Zuma Inc. whenever rulings against them are made. What we have here is a criminal (read “terrorist”) regime. See where I’m going with this?
The copious filibustering, cover-up and annoying obfuscation seeping out of the cesspit of desperation that is Luthuli House is an indictment to the ANC. No amount of soul searching amongst those in the ANC at this juncture would turn the clock back. Our country is in danger of becoming a legitimized military state as the ANC seeks to ensure that not only do they remain in control of the country but also have their sins covered up no matter how obvious they are. Proposed press laws, repulsive constitutional amendments and public declarations bordering on the insane.
Much has been written about Jacob Zuma and his lost cause. A dazed deer-in-the-headlights leader who only takes notice when matters involve his personal creature comforts. These include good food, parties, accommodation, money and of course well-endowed women. He owes too many favours to too many people and is certainly not in control of what these individuals around him are up to.
Acutely aware of the consequences of being a convicted criminal, this man, Zuma will stop at nothing to ensure that he remains outside prison walls. I’m sure conversations with Shaik and Yengeni further enforced his resolve not to end up in the orange uniform.
So here’s my take; Unless South Africans remove the ANC from government, we will forever bitch and moan about what the ANC is doing to this country. Use your ballot wisely next time. Learn from the guys and gals in the Western Cape. The ANC is not invincible.
By the end of this year (2012) South Africa will know whether Jacob Zuma will get another opportunity to be president or whether he will be sent into early retirement.
Like all politicians, this is the man who publicly proclaimed the following in July 2007; “I would prefer to leave after one term. Even if it is not one term, I think in the second term I should be able to begin the process of winding down. I would allow open debate, not make people guess what is going to happen in terms of succession…Once you allow that tendency (of centralising power) you are in danger that the people will not be able to defend their democracy (or) defend their power. And I’ve been warning we should be wary of this, it is a dangerous thing…One of the things I would want to be able to do in government is to find a way of shortening the time of (service) delivery. It makes me sick when something that could be done in two or three weeks is done in two or three months“.
Then in August 2011 and in an apparent about-turn, the same man uttered; “I never said I would serve one term and I have never said that I would want two terms…”I said a second term is a decision of the ANC but people twist it now. I have never defied the ANC. If the ANC said serve one term, that will be fine. I am a cadre of the ANC.”
Do the math.
That is why we are advised never to believe what politicians promise. His ascension to the presidency was a get-out-of-jail-free card and were it not for the rubble-rouser that is Julius Malema, a public prosecutor with more goo than a salamander and a law enforcement system that was as thick as mud, the man would be serving 15 years in prison making roadsigns, number plates and cheap wooden furniture. Well, sort of if he did not suddenly develop some life-threatening illness that would require his immediate hospitalisation and subsequent release on ‘medical parole’. I must give Tony Yengeni credit for serving his term up to the time he qualified for parole without having to visit any hospital for post-prominence depression.
Typical of all succession debates within liberation movements, the ANC will seek to eliminate all real and imagined threats before they upset the status quo. Zuma’s second term is not guaranteed and he know that unless he takes care of business, he will be herding cattle in Nkandla very soon after the next presidential elections. Many will remember the shock and disbelief when Kgalema Motlanthe publicly stabbed Tbano Mbeki in the back during the messy ANC circus in Polokwane.
If the recent musings by Rev. Frank Chikane about the kitchen cabinet and how the vindictive Zuma & Co. set out to settle scores are to go by, Mr. Motlanthe should be very very afraid. Zuma needs to throw mud at anyone likely to overshadow him in the hope that it will stick long enough for him to romp home clean. The house cleaning has begun and this will go on for a while. Be prepared for explosive expose’s as the former ANC intelligence gatherer starts doing what he’d been trained for in order to remain in-charge.
Functional literacy amongst voters is something South Africa is seriously lacking and the for as long as the love affair with the ANC continues, we can huff and puff as much as we want. The house will never be blown away.
Meanwhile, at Luthuli House, the grinding stones are being worked overtime to sharpen pangas, daggers, scissors and toothpicks meant for Zuma’s enemies.
Have a good day.
The fiasco in Addis Abba on Monday morning was a clear indication that the diplomats from SA had not done their homework. The resentment towards South Africa by other countries on the continent is real.
This goes back to post-1994 when many SA companies saw greener pastures across the Limpopo. Without considering cultural differences, many of these companies damaged South Africa’s reputation long before the politicians started building bridges.
By the time SA saw it prudent to actively participate in continental politics, the approach was patronising and academic.
Fast-forward to the present government’s strategy of applying domestic politics strategies in the global arena. That will not work. That is why I have been saying all along that SA’s foreign policy is as clear as mud. Look no further than the dubious voting reputation this country has at the UN security council which unfortunately we are currently chairing.
Listening to the criticism Jacob Zuma levelled against the AU makes one wonder whether he’s on glue. The ANC suffers from the same but he’s unable to explicitly say this for obvious reasons. For SA to succeed in leading reform within the AU, we need to completely overhaul the foreign policies, the people in that ministry and de-politicise the appointment processes.
Let’s face it. Africa is extremely patriarchal. The candidate is Zuma’s ex-wife and we all know that SA has burnt a number of bridges with African countries especially over Palestine, Libya, Zimbabwe and most recently Syria.
Asking the Home Affairs minister to contest the position was a big mistake and someone’s head needs to roll.
Have a great day.
So the week ends with yet another presidential appointment rammed down our throats. I wonder why the man is so determined to meddle with the Judiciary? Actually, the whole valuechain including law enforcement. Let me guess… there are too many skeletons creeping out of the over-stuffed cupboards and with more threatening to step out, the president needs friends in high places to prevent successful prosecution and possible jail time. That is why the police commissioner is a crook, the director of public prosecutions, a fugutive from bail (ask US courts, they said it, not me) and now the chief justice, someone of questionable character and judgement.
What bothers many is that despite the public outcry against the appointment of Mogoeng Mogoeng, the ‘learned fellow’ (Mogoeng) was thick skinned and opted to stick it out instead of do the honourable thing and step aside. Recall that the same happened with the DPP (Simelane) depite the warrants of arrest issued by US courts. Somehow, Zuma found him ‘fit’ for office. Yes people, that is desperation. Unfortunately, due to the security of tenure guaranteed bythe same constitution Mogoeng is sworn to protect, we are stuck with this dude until he either retires of kicks the bucket.
It is a real pity for a country like South Africa that professes a very liberal constitution to have leadership that operates like a single-party dictatorship. If only those handpicked to serve the government used their moral compass to gauge the bigger picture instead of presenting themselves as intellectuals for hire.
Therefore mister CJ, please do the honourable thing and step aside. The country has no confidence in you (remember, we fund your lifestyle) and to be honest, as a leraned person, you should have known better than allow your integrity to be compromised this far.
So, please, Your Honour, please step aside.
Good day.
In South Africa, there is a term used to disguise racism at work. Especially when it pertains to white-collar jobs and roles that require advanced levels of experience or intellect. It is called ‘cultural differences’. Basically what you are bing told is that the white people do not like you and because of that, you are not suitable to join them at the high table. They would prefer you either resign or request to be transferred to another department/division etc.
Some have also been known to manipulate the system in such a way that the poor black sod ends up with the corner office, a view, a gorgeous PA and a salary to match but no role in critical decision making at all.
Recently, it was reported that approximately 78% of all senior executive positions in corporate South Africa are occupied by white males. This despite the fact that their so-called black subordinates are better qualified, experienced and grounded to perform their tasks. The entire BBBEE framework is flawed and should be canned not reviewed. How do you justify that a white woman is previously disadvantaged and therefore at par with a black male or female gunning for the same position. It goes without saying that the white corporate drones will gravitate towards their white Caucasian female. This loophole has been used by all, yes I said it, ALL blue-chip companies on on the JSE to justify their so-called empowerment credentials.
As a former corporate drone, I can attest to that. It is sickening that instead of bringing this to light, most black executives accept ‘their lot’ in life and motor on as long as the ‘beer money’ keeps flowing.
All four five presidents since 1994 are very well aware of this and prefer not to rock the boat since the honey is flowing so well. Big business pays billions to political parties and since they (parties) are not required to declare their income sources, you do the math. The same applies to our trade unions.
In the recruitment/headhunting industry, companies are clearly instructed to give preference to white candidates irrespective of their suitability. Black candidates are only considered if the job entails government relations, labour or corporate social responsibility. There are a few black CEO’s out there. I have had the privilege of speaking with a few and they are as frustrated as the guy who serves them tea. Tokenism. Darkie for hire and all the other derogatory terms they use to refer to black people.
Unfortunately, this is not going to end soon. As long as there is no political will to pass legislation that creates equal opportunities for all in this country, we will continue passing around the racism potato until we drop dead. The our kids take over and so on.
It does not require a militant revolution to change this. What this country needs is functional leadership that works at eliminating racism aka ‘cultural differences’ in the corporate ecosystem.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.
TheMufti 
