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Home , Jacob Zuma, Politics of Limpopo

iol.co.za/mercury Mercpic TheMercurySA TheMercurySA NEWS THE MSINCE 1852 ERCURY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 5

Zuma in his own words House of cards implodes Khaya Koko repudiate assertions that taxpayers hadn’t ON WOMEN: funded any upgrades to his family The post-Zuma season will be a bitter and cold winter. Perish the thought that he might see jail These remarks homestead – saying seem to highlight he was still paying off time – these matters will be in court for an excruciatingly long time, writes Imraan Buccus the patriarchal a bond. views of Almost four years President Jacob later, he paid R7.8 MAGINE if Jacob Zuma blood. Files will tumble out deal of explaining to do for nest somewhere in the Emir- his loudhailers tone down or Hanging on to an uncriti- Zuma. million into the fiscus had offered to resign as of all kinds of hidden places. the comforts he has become ates. jump ship altogether. Others, cal Zuma loyalty for whatever The People of the “South after admitting in the president in December? There will be civil servants accustomed to. Edward does As Slobodan Milosevic, like Sihle Zikalala, are smart- reason will calcify the ANC in interview reflects how Constitutional Court that IHe might not have re- and suppliers pulling out slips not have the savvy of younger Thaksin Shinawatra, Vijay ing from the rash pre-confer- KwaZulu- and render it Zuma felt that a woman’s the Secure in Comfort ceived a ticker tape parade but of paper and text messages brother Duduzane, who is like- Mallaya and others have ence criticism of Cyril Rama- ineffectual and marginalised value is measured by report – authored by he could have avoided the gory they have filed as insurance ly to be cowering in his desert feared, the tentacles of the law phosa. No matter how senior on the national stage. marriage and how many former reality show of his last days policies. hangout in for a consid- can reach a long way even if it one is in politics, there is room Holding fast to Zuma, as many in KwaZulu-Natal from children she bears – and to in office. He’s gone into many There will be comrades erable time. might be slow in worming its to grow. Bright sparks like reconstructing paper trails Stripped of the protection way. One can be holed up for Zikalala are uniquely placed branches to the youth league nothing else. probe irregularities in the battles in a lifetime in politics. He’s come out trumps in many to protect themselves and to of his father and lathered with just that long. are prone to do, is career limit- The comments about Nkandla project – was right of them, no doubt. bring others down. The ca- the slime of the Gupta broth- Unlike former presidents ing and harmful to the country. women were less in saying he benefited from about appreciating another Yet, significantly, Zuma has nary-like singing of the greasy ers, he will have some serious , The time to shift to a higher taxpayers for non-security also had to concede in a good arms deal fixer Ajay Sooklal questions to answer. He might and , Zuma gear is now. African culture, but could upgrades to his home. be deemed a sign of how many. “Pay back the money” before of People’s Tribunal not be all that lonely in the de- will not receive retirement in- Protestations of Zuma miscalculated. Like Msholozi appreciated was a defining moment. on Constitution Hill last week sert. Rumour is that just about vitations to trot the globe as an Madiba, he should have served “I have been convicted, one term and given way. In the women who bow down to The house of cards then is a reliable foretaste of the every greasy politician, civil international statesman or re- innocence will be painted black, called a came tumbling down. Far from tale-telling that’s coming. servant and businessman with vered elder. With the changed choice between a legacy and men. first-class corrupt man a comfy retirement couch in The post-Zuma season will ill-gotten gains has feath- landscape in , he the norm but there the loot, there is enough evi- on facts that are not Nklandla, he is more likely to be a bitter and cold winter. Per- ered a might not even be welcome is a lot of baying dence to show that Zuma made “I wouldn’t want to stay tested. I take exception.” be occupying a hard bench in ish the thought that he might across the . He might the wrong choice. with daughters who are (Parliament, 2012). court rooms in his remaining see jail time. These matters be invited to Khartoum, but for blood. Files With any luck, the younger not married, because that years. Those courtrooms must will be in court for an excruci- that is hardly a metropolis will tumble out of generation of leadership, espe- in itself is a problem in ON THE ANC be a terrifying sight even for atingly long time. Rather cast to be noticed. cially in KwaZulu Natal, will society… (Children) are Delivering a message laden the most powerful. one’s eyes around him. His being recalled hidden places think more carefully about important to a woman with Biblical and divine Mike Mabuyakhulu has Edward Zumas’s roast- has also caught first the responsibilities they are because they actually give references outside Nelson been feeling its bite, as has ing in the Equality Court lady of four, Tobe- entrusted with. It is not an alto- extra training to a woman Mandela’s home in Vilakazi the seemingly untouchable for his hate speech ka Madiba-Zuma, gether difficult choice. to be a mother.” (People of Street, before the party’s Khomotso Pahlane. With the tirade might be who entered the to influence the transition. The clock is ticking for the political heirs. The bells have the South interview, 2012) January 8 celebrations, courts now firmly established the least of his fray on social The drubbing that the KwaZu- courtroom media with tal- lu-Natal contingent received tolled for Zuma. Zuma reiterated his as the proxy battleground, we will see many more head- blues. He will ons bared. Like at Nasrec could be remedied “A woman would clap her contention that the ANC line-grabbing politicians and have a good Sooklal, who by Zikalala crafting a new nar- ● Buccus is senior hands and even lie down would rule forever. to show respect. I was so their acolytes rush after high- piped up ex- rative that latches on to the research associate at ASRI impressed. If I was not priced attorneys. pecting public optimism of the Ramaphosa and academic director of “No one can stop us Protestations of inno- sympathy but era and focuses on growing the a university study abroad already married to my (ANC) because we have wives, I would go to Venda cence will be the after cross-ex- economy. That will hold him in program on political God on our side – He’s on good stead as he battles it out transformation. Buccus to look for a woman.” norm, but there amination even- our side. When the ANC is a lot of tually had to in the upcoming provincial promotes #Reading (Impendle, KwaZulu- was formed (in 1912) there baying turn tail and run, conference. Revolution via Books@ Natal, 2013.) were religious leaders for Mrs Zuma will be ON who thanked the Lord for well advised to save delivering to them the the airtime on A report in City Press, people’s movement. her smartphone 2014, cited Zuma’s leaked for when she 2009 written submissions “The people have been will have to live on to the National Prosecuting liberated now – hence the a budget like everyone Authority, where Msholozi, ANC will rule until Jesus else. through his lawyers, argued comes back to save us.” Zuma’s private circle of for graft-related charges (, 2017). radical economic transforma- against him to be dropped. tion will not go quietly. They THE LIGHT STUFF will fight tooth and nail be- “Western paradigm cause the stakes are so high. GRANTED, Msholozi The old man’s exit, however, brands this (corruption) might have mispronounced criminal.” will leave the hangers-on ex- the word “innuendos”, but tremely vulnerable – financial- ON NKANDLA the above quote did elicit a ly and politically. lot of laughter. Choking on his words and After the December confer- ence we have seen several of overcome with emotion, “You come with meandos; Around 3am yesterday, ANC national executive committee a visibly seething Zuma I answer with meandos – President Jacob Zuma could have members’ motorcade exit the Saint George Hotel where they told the National Assembly easy!” (Parliament, 2017). avoided the gory reality show of his last met to decide Zuma’s future. and used these words to days in office, says the writer. PICTURE: SIMPHIWE MBOKAZI/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY/ANA Laughing president: Zuma’s unforgettable charm

Mpiletso Motumi

WHEN all is said and done, will never quite forget the charisma of Jacob Zuma. That one personality trait is probably what won him the hearts of many citizens, young and old, twice over. Any time he wasn’t in a for- mal setting, his charming per- sonality would shine through. Zuma is that guy that gets the party started. Who can forget the Joburg CBD shutdown in 2009 when the ANC won the general elections? The then Sauer Street was closed off in the green, yellow and black colours, a stage in the middle of the street right Zuma days after his aquittal on a charge of rape in 2006. outside ANC headquarters, PICTURE: TJ LEMON Luthuli House. While Winnie Khumalo sang Mina Ngohlala Nginje, have that Zuma touch or sultry for those who don’t know, is a Zuma proved just how supple voice. struggle song used by former President Jacob Zuma does a jig of his own as his new wife, Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, courts him A gogo hugs Zuma at a Christmas party for the elderly held in he was by getting down with Some of his highlights as members of Umkhonto we with a dance at their wedding. PICTURE: BONGIWE MCHUNU Nkandla. PICTURE: MANDISA JIYANE/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY/ANA the dancers on stage. president came from when he Sizwe during . Mean- And the time when he was at rallies for the ANC get- ing Bring My Machine Gun, was showing guests how it ting the crowds going. the song was a reference to the attendance standing up and Day”, meaning Mandela told “I don’t know how to stop again it emphasises the pover- tions, Zuma has the ability to is done at his 75th birthday If Zuma had gone to a fight the military wing was singing along with the presi- his followers that we would my laughter, is it hurting?,” he ty of politics in our opposition go from suit and tie to his tradi- celebrations. model C school he would have ready for. dent to celebrate the late icon. meet on the day of freedom. asked members during a 2015 parties,” he said. tional Zulu attire and still com- He even almost moon- been captain of the war-cry Often Zuma would shape Another firm favourite Inde When Zuma first won the session. Zuma has in the past spo- mand attention and adoration. walked one time. The 2016 Jan- team. his arms into a military gun lendlela esiyihambayo was a presidency, it was his likeabil- “I will always laugh,” he ken about how he did not want Zuma may have been a pres- uary 8 moves showed that he Crowds would erupt as soon when singing the song and fitting song to sing when he ity that got ordinary citizens to said as he continued his speech to become president. ident full of controversy, but no was born to entertain. as Zuma got himself ready to shake his body. officially opened the 54th ANC vote for him. He has a friendly while giggling in between. In an interview he did with one will ever forget his natural What a sight to see. A smile break into dance. For the funeral of Nelson national elective conference aura even with the bodyguards His jokes on the Nkandla the national broadcaster, he charm, the character trait that from ear to ear. Arms stretched out, hands Mandela in Qunu, Eastern for the last time as president of who constantly surround him. report and the mocking of said he would have rather be- led to him becoming the peo- How many presidents can closed in a fist he would sing Cape, Zuma led the song Thina the party. Dubbed the “laughing pres- ’s broken come a teacher, a pastor or ple’s president. sing the way Msholozi can? out loud with a clear voice: Sizwe at the podium. The song, which means ident” during his parliamenta- man speech showed how he lawyer had the opportunity to Where to now for the ever How many presidents can “Wen’uyang’ibambezela…” to The song, meaning “We the there is still a long way to go on ry Q&A’s, Zuma cheekily told had the ability to make light of continue his education been smiling, giggling president of lahl’ Umlenze at a moment’s excited followers who would nation”, speaks about crying this journey, then goes: “Wash’ members of parliament that situations, infuriating opposi- available. South Africa? notice? Not very many. join him in song. for the land that was taken. uMandela kubalandeli bakhe his laugh was not in any way tion leaders. Not one to shy away from Only time will tell ngoba And the few who can don’t Awuleth’ , The song had everyone in wathi sodibana nge Freedom hurtful, but rather healthy. “That’s part of the problem, his cultural beliefs and tradi- inde lendlela esiyihambayo.