NATASHA MARRIAN: Thanks, Zuma, for a job well done in wrecking SA’s core institutions
The former president’s disastrous reign has left the country scrabbling in the dark
It is a year since SA heaved a collective sigh of relief when former president Jacob Zuma eventually resigned. His departure came after nine years, but they were by no means wasted. Wasted implies squandered, years that had no purpose. Zuma had a purpose — destruction — and he achieved it quite spectacularly. This week was a sobering reminder of these “achievements”, from stage-four load shedding to startling admissions about a crippled criminal justice system, a rise in youth unemployment and institutions on the brink of collapse. The aftermath of the Zuma presidency will be felt for decades to come, despite his Twitter charm offensive and continued blind support from questionable characters. While plans to break up Eskom are not new, under Zuma the sustainability of the power utility played second fiddle to its use as a vehicle for corruption and looting. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed shock and anger when rolling blackouts hit the nation this week. He told parliament on Thur...
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