http://connectafrica./2009/04/15/south-african-elections/

I think Zuma is the right man for the job,Hated by few loved my many.And the campaing is going on well.

Zuma 100% Zuluboy,100% ANC

@RSA
How are you?,It's been a while. . .
Do You really think Zuma is the right man for the job considering his criminal records and volatile nature?
No abuse Intended.

IFELEKE:

@RSA
How are you?,It's been a while. . .
Do You really think Zuma is the right man for the job considering his criminal records and volatile nature?
No abuse Intended.

does it matter? they are used to being ruled by their enemies and oppressors.

IFELEKE:

@RSA
How are you?,It's been a while. . .
Do You really think Zuma is the right man for the job considering his criminal records and volatile nature?
No abuse Intended.

Yes my brother I am still here,I honestly think that he will do much better,Irrespective of what the media say,he is the peoples person,It took NPA(National Prosecuting Authority) almost ten years to charge Zuma because they did'nt have enough evidence,during this period called the meeting with newspapers editors and told them that they have a primaface case against Zuma but it is unwinnable in court?They did that to tarnish his political career,to loose people trust,to be judged in public opinion courts.Now that we all know what we knew that there was political interference(there are phone tab recording to prove this).Mbeki and his friends used state resources to get Zuma.Zuma being the typical Zuluman he is fought with everything he got and came out victorious.

I don't think he's got criminal records as you have stated,but he was accused of criminal activities which he was aquitted in court(rape charges) and his corruption case dropped.Our media has always been anti black goverment,some experts say this is good since they're the watchdog of the goverment,but most of them are white supremist who think blacks cannot rule and are messing up everything even when the records show that the true is the opposite.
This will be the most open President we ever had.who will listen to people,who will make decisions with people,thats all South Africa need now.

He has met business people and minority groups,and they are happy with him,In his Election  Manifesto he says he will fight corruption,be transparent,fight crime,improve the quality of our education,build houses for the poor,supporting SME's, Black Empowerment policies and have a dedicated HIV/AIDS ministry to deal with the desease.

JJYOU:

does it matter? they are used to being ruled by their enemies and oppressors.

IFELEKE:

@RSA
How are you?,It's been a while. . .
Do You really think Zuma is the right man for the job considering his criminal records and volatile nature?
No abuse Intended.

I think he will face steep pressure seeing all the tribulations he has encountered on his road to the presidency.

What I anticipate is a backlash by most of the trade unions when he undoubtedly will not meet up with most of their expectations.

If he doesn't address the discontentment and fears of the lower/poor class citizens within his first two years in power then he will struggle in his presidency.

He has cope to contend with and other parties watching his every move and ready to pounce on him if he makes a wrong move. He also needs to watch out for Zulu nationalist who will very much like to take advantage of his affiliation.

The odds are against him. Lets see what happens

RSA:

Yes my brother I am still here,I honestly think that he will do much better,Irrespective of what the media say,he is the peoples person,It took NPA(National Prosecuting Authority) almost ten years to charge Zuma because they did'nt have enough evidence,during this period called the meeting with newspapers editors and told them that they have a primaface case against Zuma but it is unwinnable in court?They did that to tarnish his political career,to loose people trust,to be judged in public opinion courts.Now that we all know what we knew that there was political interference(there are phone tab recording to prove this).Mbeki and his friends used state resources to get Zuma.Zuma being the typical Zuluman he is fought with everything he got and came out victorious.

I don't think he's got criminal records as you have stated,but he was accused of criminal activities which he was aquitted in court(rape charges) and his corruption case dropped.Our media has always been anti black goverment,some experts say this is good since they're the watchdog of the goverment,but most of them are white supremist who think blacks cannot rule and are messing up everything even when the records show that the true is the opposite.
This will be the most open President we ever had.who will listen to people,who will make decisions with people,thats all South Africa need now.

He has met business people and minority groups,and they are happy with him,In his Election  Manifesto he says he will fight corruption,be transparent,fight crime,improve the quality of our education,build houses for the poor,supporting SME's, Black Empowerment policies and have a dedicated HIV/AIDS ministry to deal with the desease.

Am not in South Africa, I judge based on what your media and Foreign Ones Paint Him to be( Which potrays him as not too presentable for a leadership position).
I am aware of the negative propaganda being undertaken by your Media and I must say am not surprised at all because whites generally don't trust us blacks and they always want blacks to play second fiddle to them(The Present Travails of President Obama Is A Classic Example).
If the average Black South African Trust Jacob Zuma to turn South Africa around and Move Her out of the Economic Limbo Thabo Mbeki Left it Then The Rest Of Africa cannot but wish Him Well.

morpheus24:

I think he will face steep pressure seeing all the tribulations he has encountered on his road to the presidency.

What I anticipate is a backlash by most of the trade unions when he undoubtedly will not meet up with most of their expectations.

If he doesn't address the discontentment and fears of the lower/poor class citizens within his first two years in power then he will struggle in his presidency.

He has cope to contend with and other parties watching his every move and ready to pounce on him if he makes a wrong move. He also needs to watch out for Zulu nationalist who will very much like to take advantage of his affiliation.

The odds are against him. Lets see what happens

If what RSA analyzed about him and his chances/prospects are true then I'll say there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. . .

[flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCh3jbmuhyo[/flash]

IFELEKE:

If what RSA analyzed about him and his chances/prospects are true then I'll say there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. . .

All we have is HOPE. African blood is thick no matter where we are.

He surely will make a huge difference to the poor, something that Mbheki totally neglected. Mbheki was way too elite and too advanced for Africa. His strategies actually worked less for Southern Africa.ie: Silence diplomacy. When it comes to charges: Which politician is innocent of any wrong doing?

@ JJYOU
I guess you do have a point there. Seeing that Nigeria is run by honest and deserving leaders. There is no corruption or nepotism. The whole of Naija is benefiting from the money that the Oil is bringing into the country.

@RSA: Bra yaka go jwang?

Angelheart:

He surely will make a huge difference to the poor, something that Mbheki totally neglected. Mbheki was way too elite and too advanced for Africa. His strategies actually worked less for Southern Africa.ie: Silence diplomacy. When it comes to charges: Which politician is innocent of any wrong doing?

Incredible how being "too advanced for Africa" is seen as a bad attribute. You should have said he was more of a capitalist thinker who believes in the trickle down effect of wealth versus broad socialist agendas that try to solve poverty by giving government "handouts" to citizens. Mbeki was actually a good president despite what a lot of people continue to say. The so called silence diplomacy you say was an extremely good strategy on his part and I gurantee you Mr. Zuma will continue it as far as Zimbabwe. The implications of a much harsher strategy in alignment with the West will breed long term problems.

South Africa is traddling btw a first world/ third world dilemma all at the same time. Lets hope Mr Zuma is bright enough not to alienate the capitalist thinkers who offer the investment opportunities for the poor who offer nothing but one man one vote.

thabo mbeki dropped the ball when it comes to foreign diplomacy especially in the cases of Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

he wasn't that bad domestically though.

Angelheart:

@RSA: Bra yaka go jwang?

Ke teng my sista,wena o right?

morpheus24:

Incredible how being "too advanced for Africa" is seen as a bad attribute. You should have said he was more of a capitalist thinker who believes in the trickle down effect of wealth versus broad socialist agendas that try to solve poverty by giving government "handouts" to citizens. Mbeki was actually a good president despite what a lot of people continue to say. The so called silence diplomacy you say was an extremely good strategy on his part and I gurantee you Mr. Zuma will continue it as far as Zimbabwe. The implications of a much harsher strategy in alignment with the West will breed long term problems.

South Africa is traddling btw a first world/ third world dilemma all at the same time. Lets hope Mr Zuma is bright enough not to alienate the capitalist thinkers who offer the investment opportunities for the poor who offer nothing but one man one vote.

Nicely said,I aggree with you that Mbeki was a good President,we all know that he is a very intelligent man,maybe too intelligent for people around him,because there are stories that he was not good at taking advises,what he say goes.In a country where 4 million people are infected with AIDS and majority are uneducated you don't have to speak in interllectual and philosophical terms,when you say HIV does not cause AIDS but poverty do people will believe that ,they wont analyse your statement the way you want them to.

Yes South Africa's situation is very different to any country in the continent,Because a president should protect the poor and still look after the rich interest,tough job indeed.
But Zuma has been accused of being a political chameleon,he changes with the audiance,I don't know if it is a good tactic but if this work then I am happy.

I think that lot of things still need to be fixed in this country and blacks must pull together,we cannot afford to split our votes at this moment,our votes is the only thing that give us power,whites owned the economy and we need a political will to reverse this.

RSA:

I think that lot of things still need to be fixed in this country and blacks must pull together,we cannot afford to split our votes at this moment,our votes is the only thing that give us power,whites owned the economy and we need a political will to reverse this.

The hardest task for the black man is coming together in consensus to achieve a platform goal. SA's might have a chance judging from their history and past struggles. Unfortunately one of your big obstacles are the discerning voices of the opposition minority whites who undoubtedly recognize the power in your numbers and will seek to continue to try to splinter you into smaller groups to control your potential power.

This is SA's reality FOR NOW

RSA:



Nicely said,I aggree with you that Mbeki was a good President,we all know that he is a very intelligent man,maybe too intelligent for people around him,because there are stories that he was not good at taking advises,what he say goes.In a country where 4 million people are infected with AIDS and majority are uneducated you don't have to speak in interllectual and philosophical terms,when you say HIV does not cause AIDS but poverty do people will believe that ,they wont analyse your statement the way you want them to.

Yes South Africa's situation is very different to any country in the continent,Because a president should protect the poor and still look after the rich interest,tough job indeed.
But Zuma has been accused of being a political chameleon,he changes with the audiance,I don't know if it is a good tactic but if this work then I am happy.

I think that lot of things still need to be fixed in this country and blacks must pull together,we cannot afford to split our votes at this moment,our votes is the only thing that give us power,whites owned the economy and we need a political will to reverse this.

Nicely Said Man,
South Africa needs a pragmatic leader who will stir the ship of the country in this post-apartheid era. I admire Mbeki alot(esp.his efforts side by side with the Great Madiba during the struggle)  But It's a pity He wasn't in tune with the average South African when he was at the helms of affairs.This is the Time to elect a leader that will tackle south africa's problems by proffering feasible and attainable solutions and I trust your people to  vote in the best candidate for the job .
On Zuma's Lapses,(his criminal records,volatile nature an all accusations heaped on him)I believe his achievements in office(that is if you people elect him) will rubbish/wipe them off.
Goodluck as you make you choice,with hope that it will bring your people the desired results.
Siyabonja!

morpheus24:

The hardest task for the black man is coming together in consensus to achieve a platform goal.

GBA BE!. . . Right On Point.

morpheus24:

SA's might have a chance judging from their history and past struggles. Unfortunately one of your big obstacles are the discerning voices of the opposition minority whites who undoubtedly recognize the power in your numbers and will seek to continue to try to splinter you into smaller groups to control your potential power.

This is SA's reality FOR NOW

You are right Morpheus,
But I sincerely believe South Africa has been given a new chance(this forthcoming election) and If they get it right, I see a Paridgm Change that might silence this troublesome/meddlesome white minority permanently.
It Can Happen.

RSA:

our votes is the only thing that give us power,whites owned the economy and we need a political will to reverse this.

I hope you dont succeed bro because the strong economy and jobs that the whites bring to your country is responsible for the relative social harmony SA enjoys presently. With the propensity that indigent SAns have shown to barbarism and violence that country will be far worse than Zimbabwe (infact unlivable) if the economy ends up in the hands of blacks.

our votes is the only thing that give us power,whites owned the economy and we need a political will to reverse this.

who says a white elite won't be replaced by a black elite club like many African countries?

IFELEKE:

But I sincerely believe South Africa has been given a new chance(this forthcoming election) and If they get it right, I see a Paridgm Change that might silence this troublesome/meddlesome white minority permanently.
It Can Happen.

For their sake, let's hope it works out that way. I ain't holding my breath though. History does have a funny way of repeating itself.

[flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvwt6U9I6z8[/flash]

i agree that a revolutionary change is set to happen in South Africa following Zuma's installation tomorrow, but then at what price? sunken moral levels. i think i'd side with Arc Bishop Desmond Tutu on this one; Zuma is sure going to be one hell of an unethical president-whats his stand on HIV? But then in Africa we get them Boku; King Mswati of Swaziland next door is trying eclipse Solomon, i'm sure he'd have a few tips for Zuma. Zuma- with 4 wives is doing pretty fine,

Only in Africa will a man who proudly proclaimed that he took a bath to ward off HIV after unprotected sex with a HIV carrier rise to the pinnacle of power.

South Africa in a few decades will end up like Zimbabwe. There doesn't seem to be a viable opposition. Let's hope the opposition will stop the ANC picking up 2/3rds of the seats in Parliament.

[size=17pt]Zuma set for South African presidency after ANC victory[/size]

PRETORIA (AFP) — South Africa's ruling ANC won an absolute majority in general polls on Saturday, with president-in-waiting Jacob Zuma facing huge expectations from the poor in a flailing economy. The ANC's two-thirds majority seemed to be slipping from its grasp as the party had 66.02 percent of the vote with only a handful of voting districts outstanding. Unofficial results released by the electoral commission showed the African National Congress had won over 11.6 million votes, more than half of the nation's 23 million registered voters. Despite losing support in eight of the country's nine provinces since previous elections, the liberation movement's decisive victory cleared the way for the party to elect the popular but controversial Zuma as the new head of state in a parliamentary vote in early May. Official results were set to be confirmed later Saturday. Thousands of supporters celebrated as the final votes were counted, packing into an exhibition centre on the outskirts of Soweto where party heavyweights vowed to follow through on campaign promises to boost the lot of the nation's weak and vulnerable. "Immediately after the counting finishes, the real work starts.

[img]http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5jKDSwuCgWruSgFuyXaEs34mMEs6Q[/img]
Surpporters of Jacob Zuma's African National Congress (ANC)
celebrate in Joannesburg

We must all roll (up) our sleeves and start working," said Paul Mashatile, premier of Gauteng, the country's economic hub that includes Johannesburg. "Those who live in shacks or have no jobs want us to work for them. We must deliver," he added. Even with the last ballots still to be counted, none of ANC's rivals could overtake the party. A breakaway group, the Congress of the People (COPE), took 7.4 percent. The main opposition Democratic Alliance was at 16.5 percent, but looked set to grab the Western Cape province, which includes Cape Town, with an outright majority for the first time. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called Zuma to congratulate him on his party's success, a spokesman in London said, to show "our desire to work closely with the new South African government."The African Union declared the election free and fair in a preliminary report commending the smooth conduct of the elections. While the ANC had held a two-thirds majority, allowing it to make constitutional changes, it was unclear whether calculations of parliamentary seats would see it maintain this in the national assembly. "It's really one of those cliffhangers of this election," political analyst Susan Booysen told AFP, but added that the party had yet to use its supermajority to impose major amendments. Zuma ,whose woes include being fired as deputy president, a rape acquittal, and the recent dropping of graft charges due to political meddling -- will enter office under intense scrutiny that bodes well for clean governance, she said. "Mr Zuma knows he's so watched. There are few presidents anywhere in the world that come into power so watched," said Booysen."The question marks are really never going to go away. But it is going to be business and let's move forward from now."Dissatisfaction with public services and political crises over the past few years, as well as the scandal around Zuma, are credited with luring a record 23 million people to register to vote. Turnout was estimated at about 77 percent. Zuma has experienced massive support from his mainly working-class devotees who hope the populist leader is their ticket to improved public services and more jobs. But he will take power as the economy is slipping into a recession, with thousands of workers in the crucial mine industry laid off earlier this year. The son of a housekeeper, Zuma is seen as the antithesis of former president Thabo Mbeki who managed impressive economic growth, but failed to tackle the world's largest HIV rates and the nation's staggering crime problem. Zuma was a stalwart of the struggle against white minority rule, and spent a decade jailed alongside Mandela on Robben Island. He became deputy to Mbeki, but the two developed a fierce rivalry, and Mbeki sacked him in 2005. Zuma seized the leadership of the ANC away from Mbeki in December 2007, and nine months later the party dismissed Mbeki as president.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hhTTdm5BQddU1Tcg9MIPirFXQDEw

In my honest opinion, poverty and ignorance explains why Zuma and the ANC won. Many black people refused to vote for the DA (for e.g.) because they are paranoid about the country returning to Apartheid under a white president. On the other hand, about 80% of the expatriate vote (most of whom are educated) went to the DA. That says something for itself.

A_K_O:

In my honest opinion, poverty and ignorance explains why Zuma and the ANC won. Many black people refused to vote for the DA (for e.g.) because they are paranoid about the country returning to Apartheid under a white president. On the other hand, about 80% of the expatriate vote (most of whom are educated) went to the DA. That says something for itself.

The ANC's influence in the Western province is not strong due to the overwhelming minority residence in the area which is why the DA captured majority vote in those areas.

You can't blame the majority black Africans of paranoia. They would rather see Mr Zuma compared to a "white". It will take time for them to trust again.

My question is how does Mr. Zuma intend to finance his promised social/Welfare agendas without bankrupting the government and getting tied up with overwhelming multiple demands from factions within the populous .He ain't no Obama, not by a long shot. I see no history on his part that shows he can steer the economy to financial success.  let's wait and see.

A_K_O:

In my honest opinion, poverty and ignorance explains why Zuma and the ANC won. Many black people refused to vote for the DA (for e.g.) because they are paranoid about the country returning to Apartheid under a white president. On the other hand, about 80% of the expatriate vote (most of whom are educated) went to the DA. That says something for itself.

Interesting interpretation - could you not also say that the 'expatriates' are also paranoid of black power hence their flocking to the DA? I don't know if this 'education' thing you mentioned can be used as a decider.

Zuma might be the leader of the ANC, but that does not mean there are no educated and highly qualified ANC members who will contribute their quota to development.

I'm not too sure about Zuma, but at least the people's desire was realised and they got their man. Let's see if he has what it takes to rule the country.

debosky:

Zuma might be the leader of the ANC, but that does not mean there are no educated and highly qualified ANC members who will contribute their quota to development.

I'm not referring to the party officials. Of course, there are brilliant people in the ANC who have been running the country for the past 15 years. If they weren't smart SA would have collapsed by now.

My point is simply that the average South African sees the ANC as the symbol of black empowerment. In fact, one of the ANC's campaign moves was to use Mandela to endorse the party, and it was widely speculated that the old man was forced. You see the link? This is true but this kind of ideology does not allow democracy to flourish. Does it now mean that the ANC should rule South Africa forever just because they were the ones that 'freed' blacks? It is this ideology that explains why the opposition still receives such little votes, not because they have anything worse to offer.

debosky:

I'm not too sure about Zuma, but at least the people's desire was realised and they got their man. Let's see if he has what it takes to rule the country.

Abi, we Nigerians here can only watch and be thoroughly ashamed of our democracy. I sometimes use the excuse that theirs is 5 yrs older. But when you look at the disparity in both electoral processes, that doesn't matter.

as i watch this zuma saga, unfold, i'm hoping that south africa isn't about taking the downturn most african nations fall into, these kind of leaders come in as superstars and tv heroes of the poor, they mostly do nothing and are most often bereft of good ideas about governing and economic strategies, fellow black southafricans should quickly drop this black white syndrome and start voting for capable hearts and mind, i see the people hailing zuma now, groaning and moaning about him in a few years from now, we've seen it all too well before in africa and south africa will be no different, i watch this saga unfold with deep mixed feelings and i shake my head for south africa,
congrats to zuma though, more money i guess, what could a business man ask for,

Letter from the president

I will lead the country on a path of friendship, cooperation, harmony, unity and faster change


I am overwhelmed by the responsibility that is thrust upon my shoulders. I am truly humbled by the opportunity to serve as the fourth President of the democratic Republic of South Africa.

South Africa is a remarkable country with very special people. We normally get caught up in our day-to-day challenges and forget to appreciate the fact that we made history in the world in 1994 when together we discarded our tragic past, and opted for a future of harmony, peace and stability.

We elected our first President, our icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, whom we all love dearly. Madiba taught us the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation and humility. He made us walk tall and feel proud to be South Africans.

As President of the Republic, I will do my best to lead the country towards the realisation of Madiba's vision of a truly non-sexist, non-racial South Africa, united in its diversity. With the support of my organisation the ANC, as well as all South Africans, I hope to lead the country on a path of friendship, cooperation, harmony, unity and faster change.

We have just emerged from very vibrant elections, the Independent Electoral Commission, which can always be relied upon to deliver free and fair elections, rose to the occasion. The millions of South African voters made us the custodians of their hopes and dreams.

The next five years will depend on us to serve them with dignity and respect and to maintain the decorum of Parliament, which is the face of our democracy. Our people have high expectations, as the Executive we will do our best to be more hands-on, more accessible and to deliver on our commitments.

We also intend to start a new chapter in relations between Government and the Opposition. We reiterate that it should be possible to work with Opposition parties on issues that are in the national interest. While appreciating a robust Opposition, we also trust that we will be able to move slightly away from the dogmatic approach, which turns every issue into a contentious one.

On the side of the Executive, we will also need to try to avoid being over-defensive, and not view all criticism from the Opposition in a negative light. We can surely be able to build a working relationship that emphasizes oversight, while also allowing cooperation where necessary.

It is going to be a busy five years. We have deliberately given ourselves five priorities to focus on which will make us more effective in implementation. We will focus on education, health, land reform and rural development, the fight against crime as well as creating decent work. We are determined to leave an indelible mark in these five areas.

Our most immediate priority is to respond decisively to the challenges posed by the global economic downturn. We must move quickly to implement the framework agreed by government, business and labour to protect jobs and boost the economy. It is my fervent hope that our public servants heard our campaign message and understand that it shall not be business as usual. We expect hard work and utmost dedication.

It was quite a moving moment for me to be sworn in again as a Member of Parliament, even though my membership was just for a few hours. I have a special relationship with Parliament.

In 1994 I used to sit in the cross-benches as an NCOP KwaZulu-Natal representative, when I was still MEC for Economic Affairs and Tourism. In 1999 I moved to the front benches as Deputy President of the Republic. Members who were part of the last Parliament will confirm that I was a very well behaved Member. I attended sessions and presented myself timeously for the fortnightly Deputy President's question time.

I dutifully answered all questions, amid occasional heckling from the Opposition benches. Honourable Members who would not let me rest and kept me very busy with questions included the Honourable Koos van der Merwe and Velaphi Ndlovu of the IFP, Pieter Mulder of FF Plus and the Honourable Cherilyne Dudley of the ACDP.

I was also a proud recipient of little notes from Honourable Members from various political parties, usually gossiping about each other, which I have kept very safely at home. I left rather unceremoniously on the 14th of June 2005, without an opportunity to say goodbye to all my friends. However, I continued to visit, now sitting in the public gallery during the opening of Parliament and other occasions.

I congratulate our new Presiding Officers in the National Assembly, and wish them well on their appointments. We also recognise the contribution of all our former Presiding Officers. We must also acknowledge and thank the outgoing Cabinet for their good service.

I intend to have my Cabinet assume office by the 11th of May, so that we can get down to business. I have gained immensely from the wisdom of the top five ANC officials whom I have consulted on the matter. I should be able to produce a team that will work very hard, and with the necessary speed. We mean business when we talk about faster change.

On behalf of all South Africans, let me extend our sincerest gratitude to President Motlanthe for his service to the nation. He has acquitted himself well, and has definitely been equal to the task.

I also wish to reiterate our appreciation to all South Africans for participating actively in the elections. We must emphasise that the responsibility of voters did not end at the polling stations. Working together we must now do much more to build a better South Africa. I thank you all for your confidence in me and in the ANC.
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/anctoday/2009/at18.htm