Ethnic nationalism: Zuma’s style of divisive politics
SA needs a national solidarity woven around the Constitution, democratic values, rules and institutions, writes William Gumede
Most African countries were flung together by former colonial powers out of diverse ethnic, religious and regional communities, making them among the most diverse nations on earth. The colonial powers exploited these differences to play off communities against each other and so reinforce their control over subject peoples. Sadly, in the postcolonial period, many African leaders and governments have sought support from only their own ethnic communities, regions or religious groups, further entrenching divisions inherited from the colonial past. Apparently President Jacob Zuma is no different. After his return from exile, Zuma, an isiZulu speaker, built his support base in the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, the party’s region with the largest membership. When he was fired in 2005 as deputy president by former president Thabo Mbeki for alleged corruption, he wooed isiZulu speakers to secure his reinstatement. In 2007, at the party’s Polokwane conference, he used his Zulu background to win the A...
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