TIDE TURNING AGAINST PRESIDENT
Tight calls for Zuma in his state of nation address as his power wanes
Challenge to his leadership by ANC national executive committee is one of the factors that have shaken him, writes Carol Paton
When President Jacob Zuma delivers his 10th state of the nation address tonight, he will be aware of how his power is draining away. Zuma has been a formidably powerful leader. Unlike most ANC presidents who went before him, he has shaken free of the constraints of collective leadership and accountability and been unafraid to govern in his own interests. He has been a profoundly factional leader, exercising power with scant regard for the ANC’s unity or the interests of the country. But now he is under pressure from too many quarters. His loss of influence in Parliament is clearly apparent. Since ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu urged him to step down in October after the August election shock, the tide has been turning. MPs who had earlier defended his spending on his private home at Nkandla to the point of absurdity and ridicule, are now wary of being used to justify his excesses. His proxies on the SABC board have been thoroughly annihilated by a parliamentary committee and now fac...
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.