Jacob Zuma background cartoon

Jacob Zuma background

In praise of Jacob Zuma

There have been quite a few articles written in reputable publications both locally and internationally about Jacob Zuma. At best they have been written with cautious praise – about a man with a humble background making it to the country’s job. At worst, they have been scathing reports against Mr Zuma’s personal and questionable professional activities.

Like it or not however, Mr Zuma is the president of South Africa now. The people have spoken and the joyfully optimistic majority is happy. This article is not really for them as they probably already recognise a few of Mr Zuma’s merits outlined below.

Despite some politically inappropriate squeaks still being made by the Helen Zille and the opposition, Mr Zuma is at the helm and South African stop-Zuma supporters are slowly settling in to a state of hopeful resignation. Hopeful that he will be tougher on crime, effective in terms of overhauling education and more responsive to economic needs given the impending recession. Even the infamous South African cartoonist Zapiro recently removed the showerhead from his trademark Zuma caricature to give him a fresh start to make his mark.

Wonkie believes the traditional media has not given sufficient coverage on why South African stop-Zuma supporters could be more hopeful and pleasantly surprised. Here are some encouraging perspectives to consider with respect to Mr Zuma’s background and his first few weeks in power:

1. Mr Zuma has strongly positioned himself to be a man of the people – and if he is true to that, he is likely to benefit the majority of South Africans far more than his pipe-toting pseudo-intellectual, globe-trotting predecessor. If he can uplift the masses who really need his support the most, all South Africans will be better off by a long way.

2. In his interactions both locally and abroad, Mr Zuma has proven to be an able politician – sneers aside, promising everybody everything and getting away with it is definitely a skill that is to be admired in politics. The rand has not tanked and foreign investors appear comfortable with the new South African leadership team.

3. Mr Zuma is a man that is comfortable in his own skin – and also in leopard skin for that matter. That takes a certain level of maturity and emotional intelligence which is typically found in strong leaders. He has a strong public following that believes in him – he just needs to get them to do the right things for South Africa now.

4. President Zuma does have a humble background – particularly if you look at his early days and the kinds of experiences and jobs he has had. Even Mr. Barack Obama didn’t have to work his way up from being a goat herd or kitchen boy as his starting point. To successfully reach the position Mr Zuma has got to, despite the odds against him, shows admirable tenacity and determination. Provided he stays clean while in power, he will certainly be a positive role model for young South Africans.

5. He has already kicked some of the deadwood out from the cabinet and appears determined to have civil servants earn their keep. In any case, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang not in parliament can only be a good thing.

Post-event rationalisation some of you may say, but Wonkie really does admire Mr Zuma for reaching the top. Wonkie sincerely hopes President Zuma keeps the right promises to the right people so that his legacy for South Africa will be a lasting and overwhelmingly positive one.

Click here to read more about Jacob Zuma’s ascent to power, his ANC party profile and here for a less flattering view.

Your view on South Africa going forward:

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Comments

  1. Im also optimistic about our President. South Africa is going to be a beter place to live in. Those who are gone, are going to come back – I hope, cause we built this together, so cannot leave us and fight the battle alone.

  2. things can only get better here!! cheers with the milkshakes….keep them shaking!!!

  3. Maybe he is really asking for his “Mo-Shaik-Gun”

  4. LOL.. nice Antiaa!

  5. Not sure optimism is optional here. Hope springs etermal, they say. Let’s hope it doesn’t drown in despair. At least the talk is now about saving jobs, not losing them, though I’m gathering ways are probably going to be found to work more people out. Keep the milkshakes coming. Semaj.

  6. If the Pres can deal decisively with the trade unions and especially Cosatu, I too will become optimistic. I want my kids and grandchildren to come back to this most beatiful country.

  7. yabatho25 says

    just like Zille i am anti Zuma/ANC,but for the good of the country and development of its people and economy i pay allegience to the present goverment and pray That God gives them the strenght and wisdome to selfguard and maintain this nations interest at heart so they dont take us for a ride as they have been doing,but to work with us in the creation of jobs and equall opportunities for,goverments dont have what it takes to create jobs but they are just guardians of the countries developments which is created by the people they govern.therefore let us all as citizens come together and unite and fight the unemployment,globalmelt down,and all dailly challenges instead of looking up to gov to do things for us and fighting each other like lunatics,As for Zuma his upbringing puts him in a better position to play the role of a father who wishes all the best for his children irrespective of their race or background,Heads up to you Msholozi p.s teach malema and co how to co-exist with other humans this country is for us all not just the anc,.

  8. yOU HAVE STOPPED PLAYING TENNIS IN YOUR TENNIS COURTS AND NO MORE USE YOUR SWIMMING POOL BECAUSE YOU SUSPECT THAT THIEVES ARE LURKING SOMEWHERE AT THE CORNER AND WILL SOON BE JUMPING OVER THE WALL TO RAPE AND RANSACK YOU AND HERE YOU SAY YOU`RE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ZUMA`S RULE!BEFORE THE INK AT THE IEC BECOME DRY ZUMA WAS ALREADY ANNOUNCING THAT HE HAS PASSED A LEGISLATION REWARDING ZIMBABWEANS FOR CAMPAIGNING FOR HIS PARTY AND VOTING FOR IT GIVING THEM FREE ACCESS TO SOUTH AFRICA TO COME AND COMPETE WITH US OVER SCARCE RESOURCES,OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS AND ITS THEY THAT SHOULD B SCREAMING;ANC,MY VISION MY FUTURE!WELL,IF THAT`S YOUR STNDPOINT THT WE MUST ALL BE OPTIMISTIC THEN …SO LONG!

  9. All we can do is hope. Most of us love this country and would like everyone in it to be happy, healthy, well fed and safe. So, here’s to South Africa and the people that live in it. I hope our new government will help us get closer to aforementioned utopia.

    It’s good to dream.

  10. Deena Naidoo says

    Aag, same shit, different President. Leave all yours and ANCYL bitching and moaning about Helen Zille alone. Get down to doing what was promised to your own people way back in 1994 and gain a little credibility back, whilst you can.

  11. Optimistic about the future. Do not really care about those who are gone, they can stay gone if they wish.

  12. NOO…NOW YOU ARE MISLEADING,MISINFORMING AND DISINFORMING US IF YOU REALLY MEAN IT THAT ZUMA IS THE MAN OF THE OCCASION DESPITE ALL THE DIRT THAT HE IS LADEN WITH!

    ZUMA WAS THE LEADER OF MBOKODO IN EXILE ORDERING ALL THESE ATTROCITIES COMMITTED BY MBOKODO AT QUADRO/QUATTRO AND HE REFUSED POINT-BLANK TO APPEAR AT THE TRC AND APOLOGISE TO ALL THE VICTIMS,THEIR FMILIES ND LOVED ONES AND INSTEAD OPTED TO APOLOGISE TO WHITE VICTIMS OF MK BOMBS.

    THAT COUPLED BY OF COURSE HIS CORRUPTION TRIAL {WHICH IS STILL PENDING UNTIL THE EVIEW HAS BEEN FINALISED} AND THE RAPE TRIAL WHICH HAS NOT CLEARED HIM BUT BY HIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT BY THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER AND THIS DISQUALIFY HIM FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICE!

  13. Nhlanhla says

    Dear Wonkie

    I’d wish to comment on the similarities between Stephen Muzhinga’s Sunday victory and that of President Jacob Zuma (I hope you’ve noticed). Both men have had odds heavily stacked against them making it in their chosen fields but they triumphed. Round one for Zuma was won when the rape charge was thrown out of court and Muzhinga signalled his emergence with a seventh position in 2007. Muzhinga’s round two was when he came third in 2008 as Jacob Zuma also had charges (related to the arms deal) against him dropped. And now for the final round! Both men won hands-down leaving their opponents huffing and puffing in their wake. Jacob Zuma takes the country’s hot seat but does his home town of Inkandla have enough space and sophistication to house him. Similarly, Muzhinga takes home R220 000 but does his home country have the necessary facilities to house him and his billions. Both men have been brave and their acts give credence to the saying that fortune favours the brave.

    I now propose that President Zuma hosts Muzhinga in his parliamentary quarters and, amongst other things, the two should consider writing a book on the subject of no pain, no gain. This will teach the likes of Akon that it’s only birds of a feather that flock together. The subject of who is richer should be avoided at all cost as the prez may be prejudiced. He has arealistic view of numbers but the same cannot be said about Muzhingi. From the word go the Bulawayo bullet started counting in millions, leaving all Comrades entrants bemused.

    Nhlanhla

  14. I fail to understand what Stephen Muzhinga’s dealings are with JZ but he refers to ‘birds of a feather flock together’, do I take it for granted that all crooks flock together. Further to this, where did Stephen accumulate all the billions he refers to. Was he also on the gravy train or was he part and parcel of the Shaik scheme???

  15. Im also optimistic about our President. South Africa is going to be a beter place to live in. Those who are gone, are going to come back – I hope, cause we built this together, so cannot leave us and fight the battle alone

    sara,zuma aid hi part won`t change polic except to comfort and convenience forigners and i don`t see what makes you optimistic because all of us should be snding a ot of no confidence to zum finish and klaar!

    This year I`M LEAVING sOYUTH aFRICA AND WILL ONLY COME BAcK WHEN THeRe`S A DA govenment nationally.crime fighting plans won`t be amended so that police stations can be autonomous and when we expected them to improve our ailing health services there they go worry about zimbabweans wasting two million rands in secretly legislating that zimbabweans should enjoy special privileges.

  16. Kelsey Hoof says

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  17. Because of cadre deployment and nepotism there is no chance of our country going anywhere but down hill into the Zim Pit of total dereliction.

    We need a new government with people that do not have shit for brains and have the capacity to build our country to the heights it is capable of attaining and a better life for ALL our people, not just boeties and tenderpreneurs.

Trackbacks

  1. […] information. In case you were wondering why president Jacob Zuma was calling for Mo in the previous Mo Shaik cartoon, you would have received your answer a few days ago with Siyabonga Cwele’s announcement that […]

  2. […] a stupid, immoral goat-herder would do well to gain an alternative perspective from Wonkie’s Jacob Zuma background article. They may not like him or agree with what he is doing, but to deny that he is a politically […]

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