Zuma and Putin — two peas in a pillaged pod
Patronage and manipulation have served leaders well as they cling onto power while plundering their countries
Unsurprisingly, President Jacob Zuma and President Vladimir Putin are "friends". Their relationship was confirmed by the rambunctious noise that followed the premature leaking of information on the more than R1-trillion nuclear programme Eskom is pursuing. Both presidents have risen to power through several levels of government and within their political organisations with skilled precision. Like Putin, Zuma is a highly trained operative. He received military training after he was recruited by uMkhonto weSizwe. He rose through its ranks to become the ANC’s chief intelligence officer in exile. It requires a certain type of personality to become a president — a rare genetic breed, moulded into leadership because of unwavering ambition. What is particularly fascinating about Zuma and Putin is their dexterity in carefully navigating their paths to the highest public office. For Zuma, the road to the ANC presidency and then to head of state required several political moves he executed wi...
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