On the Contrary
TONY LEON: The survival and future of our democratic South Africa
In these dark times of our dire national condition, shafts of inspiration and light are hard to find. Indeed, on the day of parliament’s latest vote of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma, almost one for every year of his disastrousmisrule of the nation, there’s a lot more heat than light barrelling towards us. Clashing armies of protesters will encircle parliament today. The conflicted Speaker Baleka Mbete wails to the Sunday Times that“you wouldn’t want my job” which no one forced her to take; and ANC MPs are besieged to put South Africa first, which will be a first for many of them. In all the swirl and looming conflict, it is easy to lose sight of the essential issue at stake. It is not about whether the ballot isopen or secret. Nor, fascinating though it will be to watch if indeed it happens, is it about how many ANC MPs, if any, disobey the party diktat and vote with their consciences. It is actually all about the fitness for continuing in office of Jacob G Zuma. Everything ...
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