The great Zuma the Unifier myth from 2007
Jacob Zuma, the cause and the symptom of the ANC’s ‘Zunami’ division, sits at the heart of every call for unity and cohesion, writes Gareth van Onselen
"Our people have told us that we come across as too busy fighting one another and do not pay sufficient attention to their needs," ANC president Jacob Zuma said in his January 8 statement. Stephen Grootes, writing for the Daily Maverick, appropriately described the speech as, "A quest for unity – or else." It’s a quest that dates all the way back to Polokwane in 2007 when, ironically, the election of Zuma as ANC president manifested its necessity in the first place. Words such as factionalism, camps and infighting can be universally applied when it comes to political parties the world over. True, the ANC has added a few local variants to the mix — things like tribalism — but you generally find these kinds of things everywhere. The difference with the ANC is the intensity and extent of it all. And, at the centre of that great schism you will find Jacob Zuma, possibly the most divisive political force ever to hit the new SA; certainly the ANC. Over the course of his tenure as presiden...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.