Zuma’s speech on Freedom Day

The speech by the State President on Freedom Day 2017 was, as usual, an embarrassment to all thinking people. Apart from the fact that the President, who is, after all, the President of ALL South Africans, used the occasion as an election platform, as he almost always does, it was clear that the speech had been written for him, dredging up all possible statements to show that the ANC has done its job. Unfortunately, apart from the fact that the President was unable to pronounce the word ‘albinism’ and showed clear signs that he did not understand what it meant, in many cases the comments he made were nothing less than an admission of the failings of the ANC Government in meeting the daily needs of the citizens. He gave examples of many Police stations which have inadequate facilities, municipalities that do not perform their functions, and many other examples of failure to govern properly. Heard by an objective listener, Zuma’s speech, in any normal democracy, would be a prelude to the resignation of the President. In this abnormal democracy, Zuma appeared to be proud of his non-achievements.

At the time that Zuma was speaking, numerous marches were taking place, calling for Zuma’s resignation, as ‘he is the man who is solely responsible for bringing South Africa to junk status’. Interviews with several private citizens on television revealed a state of dissatisfaction with the state of the country, with inter-generational rape being common, unemployment high and the performance of local government entities inadequate.

With all of this, Zuma proceeds resolutely on the path of expropriation of land without compensation, a drive to ensure the increase in the representation of Blacks in ownership and management of companies, ignoring the implications on unemployment and economic activity of his hare-brained policies, and concentrating only on the racially-divisive rhetoric for which he is known. He continues to spout the lies on which he bases his policies, and reiterates his unfounded ‘statistics’. There could be no better illustration of this than Zuma’s congratulation of the Chief Justice for his hosting of an international judicial conference. He seemed not to notice that the keynote speech by the Chief Justice could only be interpreted as a stinging indictment of Zuma’s actions.

Zuma is a consummate politician, speaking the words that the electorate wants to hear, directing their sentiments towards the emotional and ignoring reason and truth. If South Africa ever wants to become a rational democracy, the legacy of Zuma will have to be erased from the public conscience. Together with his predecessor, this criminal (yes, criminal: he breached the Constitution in a grave manner, and he breached his sacred Oath of Office, both of which are criminal offences which would put an average citizen behind bars) President has achieved something that Nelson Mandela feared would happen as an extreme failure of democracy.

Cry the beloved country. South Africa deserves better.