And you thought the US Presidential race was farcical - meet South Africa's new president.

HWH's picture
Submitted by HWH on Sun, 2008-01-20 23:40.

Politics - Ayn Rands "anatomy of compromise" in action

See the whole story here

By Allison Barrie

Controversial leader Jacob Zuma

He may be the most controversial figure in African politics - a
skirt-chasing, self-described 'Zulu Boy' shrouded by accusations of
corruption and rape who marches to a catchy tune called 'Bring Me My Machine
Gun.'

South Africa, meet your next president.

Jacob Zuma, the 65-year-old '100 Percent Zulu Boy' and new leader of South
Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), has garnered the popular
support of communists and young people, some of whom publicly display
anti-gay and anti-feminist views.

South African presidents are chosen by the 400 members of the
directly-elected National Assembly, one of the two houses of parliament.

Although more than a dozen parties are represented in parliament, the ruling
ANC has been the main player in South African politics since 1994, which
means that Zuma is the most likely successor when current president Thabo
Mbeki steps down.

(The ANC's rivals include the Democratic Alliance (DA), the biggest
opposition party, and the predominantly Zulu Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).)

Women's groups may be sounding off over the values of the polygamist
president-to-be, but Zuma is no stranger to controversy.

In the most recent installment on his path to the South African presidency,
one that could be mistaken for an episode of HBO's 'Big Love,' Zuma took his
fourth wife over the weekend.

Zuma has an estimated 20 children by six different women. His eldest wife,
Sizakele Khumao, has renounced her 'first lady' status in favor of his new
33-year-old wife.

A former wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, is South Africa's foreign minister
and a potential political rival. Another wife killed herself in 2000.

Despite Zuma's removal as deputy president of South Africa after fraud
charges two years ago, and subsequent corruption and rape charges, the ANC
announced this week that the party will support his candidacy for the
national presidency.

During his rape trial, Zuma took a 'short skirt' excuse, claiming it was his
duty as a Zulu warrior to have sex with a woman if she wore a short kanga
(an African wrap), and that he could not leave her 'unfulfilled.'

Zuma told the court that he knew the woman was 'clearly aroused' by the fact
that her kanga was 'quite short' - meaning knee-length.

'In the Zulu culture, you cannot just leave a woman if she is ready,' he
explained.

According to his defense team, Zulu men have sexual primacy over women.
Therefore, he could not be guilty.

'To deny her sex, that would have been tantamount to rape,' Zuma claimed.

The accusing woman, who was 31 and HIV-positive at the time of the incident,
is the daughter of one of Zuma's now-dead liberation-war comrades.

She alleged that when she went for advice in late 2005 to the home of the
man she had known since childhood and had always called 'uncle,' Zuma forced
his 250-pound frame upon her.

During the subsequent trial, thousands of Zuma's supporters congregated
outside the courthouse, chanting 'kill the bitch' and pelting the accuser
with rocks as she arrived each morning. She was given police protection due
to death threats.

At one point, Zuma was caught attempting to bribe the victim's aunt with an
offer of two cows and a new garden fence in exchange for persuading the
victim to withdraw the allegations.

But was Zuma, the former head of the National AIDS Council in a country
where one in seven citizens are HIV-positive, and aware of the woman's
HIV-positive status, concerned about unprotected sex?

'I had a shower afterwards,' Zuma explained after announcing that he had
chosen not to use a condom.

In a country where, according to human rights groups, a woman is raped every
26 seconds, Zuma was found not guilty. His accuser has been granted asylum
in the Netherlands.

Zuma's throngs of supporters, who refer to him as simply 'JZ,' dismiss the
rape and corruption allegations as plots masterminded by government
intelligence agents to prevent his rise to power.

Zuma has also been accused of taking bribes in a defense-contract scandal
for which he still faces trial, as well as charges of consorting with
criminals, prostitutes and corruption.

Despite claims that the judiciary is independent, he will have significant
influence over his own prosecution as the head of the ANC.

A recent KPMG auditing report alleges that the man at the center of the
defense-contract scandal, fraud convict Schabir Shaik, spent over $21
million on Zuma's children, including allowances, cars and cash payment for
a wedding.

The report also suggests that Shaik and his companies footed the bill for
Zuma's household and travel expenses.

Zuma faces 16 charges, including one charge of racketeering, two counts of
corruption, one count of money laundering and 12 counts of fraud.

Ironically, Zuma's problems have only increased his support among the
poverty-stricken and the oppressed.

Under President Mbeki, discontent has escalated in the black population.

Most South African blacks still live in shocking conditions, with one person
murdered every 20 minutes and unemployment at 90 percent in some townships.

In his striking political comeback, Zuma, who often wears a traditional
cowhide robe and Zulu shield, led his thousands of supporters Tuesday, many
from the Young Communist League, in preparation to succeed Mbeki as the new
ANC leader.

Zuma left home at 16 and joined the ANC as a foot soldier for the armed wing
of the liberation movement, Umkhonto we Sizwe or 'Spear of the Nation.'

At 21, he was arrested for conspiring to overthrow the apartheid government
and served 10 years in prison alongside liberation hero Nelson Mandela - as
well as his rape accuser's father - in the notorious jail on Robben Island
just offshore from Cape Town.

Mbeki is also a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, but unlike Zuma, he
is an intellectual who left South Africa to pursue an economics degree in
England during the anti-apartheid struggle and never spent time in prison.

A series of corruption scandals, including the theft of millions intended
for vital drugs, increased opinion against Mbeki.

Zuma has signaled his intent to 'Africanize' the country, and there rumors
he plans to seize some white-owned South African farms.

In neighboring Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe's 'Africanization' land-reform
policies have brought famine to his country through the seizure of
white-owned farms.

Ironically, while Mbeki has been criticized for his refusal to take action
against the dictatorial Mugabe, a fellow veteran of the liberation struggle,
Zuma has called for a tougher South African stance.

Thirteen years after emerging from apartheid and starting down the path of
Mandela's 'Rainbow Nation', South Africa, Africa's superpower and largest
economy now embarks down the road of 'Bring Me My Machine Gun.'

 


( categories: )

SA-Big Brother's time

Leonid's picture
Submitted by Leonid on Wed, 2008-02-06 19:31.

Leonid

Yes,it is funny. And this is not so funny: South African government wants to install remote controlled switches in every fridge,geiser and TV set in each and every household in the country-to control power consumption.That means our very dayly life would depend on the whim of government incompetent and often plain stupid bureaucrat.Ayn Rand never dreamed to put such a thing in "Atlas shrugged",but Orwell did.And very big brother,Jacob Zuma is on his way.


No worries Leonid

HWH's picture
Submitted by HWH on Tue, 2008-02-05 01:50.

Here are a few more South African jokes...focussed on Eskom's nationwide power cuts and load sharing.

What is the difference between Titanic and Souf Efrika........... The Titanic went down with the lights still on.......

-------------------------------------------------

Q: What did South Africa have before candles?

A: Electricity.

-------------------------------------------------

The most useless thing a mother can tell her child? Don't stick your fingers in the socket holes.

-------------------------------------------------

You know why the death penalty was abolished in SA? The electric chair didn't work .

-------------------------------------------------

Eskom announcement: In a drive to save on electricity consumption, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off till further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Kindly postpone all hopes and dreams...

-------------------------------------------------

With immediate effect "Nkosi Sikelele iAfrika" will be replaced as the National Anthem with:
"Hello Darkness, my old Friend"

Now who said Atlas Shrugged wasn't prophetic?

I admit that reason is a small and feeble flame, a flickering torch by stumblers carried in the starless night, -- blown and flared by passion's storm, -- and yet, it is the only light. Extinguish that, and nought remains.- - Robert Green Ingersoll


Noach's Ark

Leonid's picture
Submitted by Leonid on Mon, 2008-02-04 23:23.

Leonid

This is brilliant! Can I send it to "The Citizen" please?


Silly, but couldn't resist posting this

HWH's picture
Submitted by HWH on Mon, 2008-02-04 11:12.

In the year 2004, The Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in South > Africa, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights".

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard but no ark.

"Noah", He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah. "But things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I've violated the neighbourhood
zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the
height limitations.

We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

Then South African Transport and Eskom demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power, trolley and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea.

I argued that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Giant Spotted Owl.

I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls. But no go!

When I started gathering the animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will.

As well, they argued the accommodation was too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then Lovemore Sibanda of Environment Affairs ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many previously disadvantaged individuals I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Also, the trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark building experience.

To make matters worse, the Customs and Revenue via the Scorpions seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?".

"No", said the Lord. "The South African Government beat me to it!

"I admit that reason is a small and feeble flame, a flickering torch by stumblers carried in the starless night, -- blown and flared by passion's storm, -- and yet, it is the only light. Extinguish that, and nought remains.- - Robert Green Ingersoll


Do you think it could

Duncan Bayne's picture
Submitted by Duncan Bayne on Tue, 2008-01-22 00:15.

Do you think it could ultimately go the way of Zimbabwe?

No 'could' about it - it'll happen, as soon as the current generation of children, raised in an atmosphere of tribal collectivism, violence and racism, become adults.

I never thought I'd be saying this, but the current crop of SA politicians are significantly worse than the old apartheid regime.

 

---
Buy and wear InfidelGear - 100% of all InfidelGear profit goes to SOLO!


Boks of colour

Leonid's picture
Submitted by Leonid on Mon, 2008-01-21 21:14.

Leonid

"we won't have to worry too much about the Boks next World Cup."

Yes,Mark, you won't, since from now on the selection of Boks is based not on merit but on colour.Paraphrasing Ford South African government says:no matter what colour the Bok is as long as he is black.


South Africa-to where?

Leonid's picture
Submitted by Leonid on Mon, 2008-01-21 20:59.

Leonid

This is another proof that democracy without iron clad recognition of inalienable human rights is simply the rule of mob. African continent never knew renaissance and enlightment and the concept of individual rights is foreign to average African. The dominant African philosophy as far as I know, in South Africa is Ubuntu which can be loosely translated as collectivism. (Muntu-man, bantu-people). African people traditionally think in terms of communities, not individuals. The country leader is viewed rather as chieftain than elected servant whose job is to protect individual rights. The farce of election which is performed from time to time in different African countries and the talks about democracy is simply lip-service which Africa pays the West in order to get endless unilateral transfers of funds (over trillion American dollars during last 50 years).These monies never improved the life of one single African and mostly found their way to Swiss bank accounts of sundry African rulers. The stage "elections" often become bloody mess as it happening now in Kenya and before in Congo, Nigeria, Liberia-the list includes almost all African countries. What happened in Zimbabwe is not exception, but rather a rule which governs African continent. And South Africa with its new Zulu chieftain is definitely walking the same path.


  It is a real pity what

Mark Hubbard's picture
Submitted by Mark Hubbard on Mon, 2008-01-21 07:05.

 

It is a real pity what is happening in South Africa, Hilton. Do you think it could ultimately go the way of Zimbabwe?

 

(Still, a silver lining: we won't have to worry too much about the Boks next World Cup. )


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