The cult of Zuma

T. I. A. This Is Africa. Get out or get swallowed up....

To refer to Zuma-mylyties as a cult is absolute truth. Like the South African newspapers, bad news sell. Surely his ability to utilize his innocent, victimized character is no different from the plethora of so-called salesmen who are able to promise you a fully furnished house without paying a deposit. He is so pursuasive to an extent that if you don't do due dilligence to him he is capable of selling even your soul. Just read inbetween the lines when he says camly "I only want to serve one term" What for? To ensure his comfort with his army of wives and journeymen.What sane South African can ever trust his ability to lead the country more especially in the current peiod of economic melt down? Zuma is not even able to formulate a single organic interpretation of the period that he"might preside in". To him it is one big entry in his CV to say that he was also once a president of South Africa. All these Zuma gimmicks are consistent with all forms of cult especially religious cults. Most of the time they (religious cults)are over-flowing with followers who genuinely believe that their earthly ailments will be cured. The power of his cult is not different from someone who (herbalists) who are bold enough to say they can cure HIV and AIDS. As a matter of fact he said having slept with an HIV individual knowingly, all he had to do was to take a shower. My Goodness! Finally I can only appeal to revolutionaries in this land to save our people from this pending Tsunami(for once I agree with VAVI that the Tsunami has been unleashed)

Leon, this is indeed Africa. Get use to it or as you say "get out". You will nor be missed. While you're overseas don't moan, whinge and waste our courts time that you want to vote in a country you're clearly not comfortable in.

Arrogance comes before a fall - and oh my goodness is there going to be a fall!

in his letter to zuma last october,mbeki warns of the cult of personality.it would seem his warning had come too late as zuma had ascended to a cult personality.in the letter he mentions that no cadre of the anc had ever sought to be praised or have their status raised to that of a personality cult except for nelson mandela,who the movement took a conscious and deliberate decision to portray to the rest of the world as the embodiment of what the apartheid regime was doing to black s.a.-notably this was done in the context of the struggle.zuma has been a part of the struggle for most of his adult life.can the alliance manage the cult that they have created?given the "devilish"aspirations of most african leaders some as close as north of the limpopo,for the country's sake and for the life of mandela ,i hope they can manage it.his aspirations as a presidential hopeful were long known to many of us in his numerous pre-polokwane rhetoric of being willing to serve in any capacity the movement saw fit.the problem with popular leaders is that they have to make unpopular decisions for the good of the country.

Loyiso, I agree with you 100%. Zuma only wants to serve one term? The joke of the century. Just wait until he gets used to the trappings of power and with that all the money!!!!! All I can say is God Bless South Africa!!!!!!

Mine is not to comment on the contents of the story but rather to compliment the writer.
Niren Tolsi is a gifted writer, his choice and use of words enables the reader to almost taste the atmosphere at the rally.

The Zuma Cult! Fascinating stuff that's equally worrying because Zuma's popularity obviously has very little, if anything to do, with ANC policies or even his performance as a leader, at least; other than dancing on the podium to the tune of "Give me my machine gun." What emerges, in my view, is that Zuma's undeniable popularity therefore stems from "victimhood" - an image of a person persecuted unfairly for things he did not do. It's a vibe that resonates with most black people's feelings in South Africa, particularly the so-called working class, and the poor, who view a lack of improvement in their socio-economic situation over the last 15 years as being a result of deliberate systematic persecution by some forces, sometimes described as "capitalists" but generally as "imperialists" who are out to make sure that they - the previously marginalised - are kept poor and without work.

To understand this thinking, one only has to look at the way and manner in which Zuma and the ANC and its alliance partners have sought and continue to portray the new breakaway party, COPE. It is not portrayed as a political party with a right to exist but whose policies people should not accept. Rather it is reflected as an "enemy" of the people of South Africa, but specifically the "working class" and the poor black.

A truly smart Zuma recognised this vulnerability quite early on among especially those that have very little time to listen and reflect; and harvested it to the fullest. To that end, one has to give him and those around him full credit. However, the problem is that the extent of the popularity pillored on a rather false premise, can only lead to similar sized problems in the not too distant future, and interestingly, there are already clear signs that Zuma recognises this as well, hence we keep getting reminded that he will serve only one term.

Summarily, it is a sad period in South Africa's history and progress into the future that the majority of the country's population is seemingly so vulnerable to arguably cheap (albeit clever) political manipulation such that a sentiment of "victimhood" by "external forces" belonging to the 70's and 80s - at least as far as black people are concerned - should still be the main driving force for political decision making, and in particular, in terms of who should govern. Zuma will emerge as the next president of South Africa, not because of any greater understanding of his proposed policies by his followers, but rather on the basis that he had become a victim that should never have been, just like Mandela.

Truly sad for South Africa.

I never come across such a hate towards a person in my life. Media hate JZ. If hate Zuma, you hate ANC and if you hate ANC, you hate the government and majority of citizens that installed it through democratic process. Hope u are tired of voting a loosing party. Jump and vote ANC so that u can taste election victory for the first time.

It is surprising how some people prefer to see only what they want to see, defying all the logic right infront of their noses.To refer to Zuma's support as a 'Cult'is absurd and undermines the inteligence of ANC supporters. Zuma himself has said on several occassions that people support him not because he is Jacob Zuma who was expelled from being the Deputy President of the country, but because he is the President of the ANC and because what was done to him was unjust and if that injustice was to be left unchallenged it would have continued unabated. There is no such thing as the 'Zuma Cult' within the ANC. If Zuma left the ANC after his expulsion to form his party (like some people were suggesting), he would have been long out in the cold, he knows it and that's is why he stayed in the ANC. It is surprising that when Zuma says he will serve only one term people like Loyiso still find something wrong about it whilst people like him claim to be democrats and as such would not approve of the 'African Phenomenon of life Presidents' and to contradict themselves even further find nothing wrong with ambitious third timers in their ranks.This country would be more at risk with the 'Mr Know All President', because from our experience it precipitates to dictatorial tendencies.People must just live with the fact that JZ will be this country's new President, and he needs to be given space to implement what he and the ANC think is best for the country. The time will come for someone else to take the baton once his term is over, and that is how our democracy can be sustained. We shall never be the same as the rest of Africa like Leon want us to believe. We have had three presidents in 15 years, something unprecedented in Africa.

This is not about cult status. This is about true leadership. From humble beginnings and no educational background JZ has emerged as the champion to advance the cause of the masses which include poverty, unemployment and marginalisation.

The ANC's election manifesto has been acceptd by the masses because they contributed to it. None of the whingers have even bothered to read the ANC's manifesto which is a revolutionary departure from the Mbeki era. By giving the ANC overwhelming support during the recent by elections, the people have demonstrated their acceptance of a new ANC and their trust in the new leadership under JZ.

The media selectively portray JZ as a demon and threat to democracy. Robbie Stammers, the editor of Leadership magazine in a recent interview with JZ was surprised by the humbleness of JZ and his grasp of international affairs and politics. I would suggest you all go and buy back copies of Leadership. There are many more like his speech at a Black Management Forum (BMF) meeting where he spelled out the ANC's vision on BEE and Employment Equity.

JZ is a man of the people and there is no denying it. He may not boast a PHD or an MBA but he has tremendous people skills and this is where it counts in politics. Her majesty the queen almost totally isolated herself from her own people after the death of Diana because she failed to read the mood of the people. Mbeki associated himself with intellectuals, tycoons, captains of industry and single malt whiskey and he paid the price for it.

http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=953333

” ANC leader Jacob Zuma would get new and wide-ranging powers — including oversight of all elected public representatives — if his plans for the presidency get the nod.”

The article sends a clear signal of the future.

In South Africa of Today we have individuals who will install fear inside the heart and minds of other South African because they dislike certain individual.South Africa is not as bad as they would like it to be.we must be very careful about minoty views and the way they potray our Beutifull South Africa. VIVA ANC .

Here we go again!!! Maybe we should remind you people about who is Zuma. I know some of you are very new in South African politics, there is no such a thing as a Zuma cult. JG Zuma apart from being a Freedom fighter managed to get into the hearts of many people long even before he became the Deputy President of the Republic. In the mid 90s, he was the only Cadre of the ANC who could reach effectively to the then ruthless and violent political rivals (ANC & IFP in KZN). He also managed to gain confidence from all groups and tribes in the Republic. He is very humble, he believes in team efforts, the list is endless. When he got kicked out of Government by the former President of both the ANC and the Republic, it was the people on the ground who cried fawl. the question that should be asked is why? they felt they were loosing the sence of touch to the Government, because beside Zuma being the leader, he was a real African man, honoring certain traditional and socila activities that involves all racial groups. When other started to celebrate, most people started to gang around him to motivate and support him, and that gave him more time to go back to the grass root fully and start working his way up in the political arena. that should then explain why we had, Youths, church leaders, izinduna, business people and it was mainly people from durban only who filled two stadius. Zuma is an ordinary man leading a powerful organization. he is just a captain of a great team.... you better start telling your mind that come April 22, Zuma will be your President!!!! Msholozi will Lead SA!!!

The cult of personality is indeed a dangerouse thing. It allows sensible people, to do things they would never have believed themselves capable off. It allows access of anothers ideas into he hearts and minds of the average person, where they should never have access. I pray only that we are not whitnessing the rise of another bout of madness such as we have seen accross the grlobe this centruary. Let me elaborate on some leaders hailed by the people just a little time before great attrocities were ladedled out to them, As the germans Adolf hittler , Joheph stalin ? chairman moa ?
fidal castro , idiamin ? robert mugabe. and we all know the consiquences of those cult personalities. I pary only that we can learn from history before it is too late.

insightful reading from Sicelo Mkhwenkwe i must say.

what`s wrong with so called educated or know-it-all people? The majority of ordinary South Africans happened to love Jacob Zuma for one reason or the other, but hell they love. And, I`m not ashamed I happened to be one of those fools who love. It just how it is.

And, aboout his many wives. Leave the guy alone. My two uncles each had three wives. And my aunt is the second wife in her marriage.


Kill me or live with it. This is what our fallen heroes fought for. The right to choose. And i choose Zuma. I`m guaranteed such a right as a citizen of this country.

Loyiso Nduku, zamo gasela and Sicelo Mkhenkwe, thank you for your thoughts. You guys lifted my spirits.

if south africans love zuma let him be their leader. let the popular vote decide who will rule rsa. i f the nation of rsa think zuma has bad credentials, after his rape case, and the pending corruption charges, then ANC, must lose elections!! its up to you voters whether you vote msholozi or not!!

zwalaz
gaborone

enough said--i think

(of course by tolsi & fillis)...

This is a tragedy in the making. South Africans will live to regret if JZ is elected. This man is simply a village chief and not fit to lead a respectable country like SA. A quick read of Betrayal by IAN DUNCAN SMITH will give an insight to the kinda leadership to expect from ZUMA led ANC. The Tsunami alert is out ..... keep to the higher grounds..... ZUMA will ebb away ...VOTE BUT NOT ZUMA.

This is a typical example of mass hypnosis.Anyone who votes ANC has no respect for all those voters who put them (ANC) in power in the first place. All those poor soles who were promised houses 15 years ago are still waiting. There is nobody in the ANC who is prepared to say why these persons are still waiting. The ANC is just extremely HOT air. It's a case of promises, promises, promises. There is no way these persons will ever get houses when the powers that be are prepared to spend billions on soccer stadia.

People must appreciate the fact that the ANC decided not to contest claims by COPE.Thank the leadership surely.The vengeance by COPE after having got all the BEE deals and then blaming the same BEE that made them as the fault of the ANC is really making some of us feel betrayed.All media,IEC and even the SABC supports COPE unequivocally. Snuki even said it on SAFM last week.Still we beat the hell out of them, media and all!!They are busy fighting JZ? The ANC liberated me and us all!They are still busy doing so even now with all the problems we blame them for even those caused by the Terrors.Madiba gave them his blessings and the media was not happy they cried foul!Now you call him a Cult?Terror was not when he bussed people to Sandton.No guys be fair!He fought for Mbeki not to be fired, but still carries the blame!Even Mbeki tried to smear Zuma with his famous 'intellectual' letters! There is no cult.Maybe the ANC is a cult.You live the ANC you end up :see others around starting with PAC, IFP and the rest...Freedom in our time, from our Fore-fathers O Sisulu! The light is being kept on.Zuma kept the party on it's feet even what was tried by Mbeki and COPE. It is sound and strong and we believe in our leaders!!Treason Trial stance is still in our people.

Yes it is an enemy to those who hate our democracy, but please do not spread lies about our movement.

The "writer" clearly doesn't know his story: he comments on JZ not performing athis best is utterly uninformed: it's the sort of twaddle that one finds in Mail & Guardian masquarading as respectable journalism when in fact it's nothing but silly opinions. One simple fact that the "writer" and his editors seem not to know (otherwise they would have inserted it) is that JZ had just returned from Zambia where he had been for two days. He flew directly into the rally. He was clearly tired from flying but this supposedly journalist who flaunt his ignorance like it was the latest form of fashionable knowledge doesn't know such a public fact.

What follows Zuma around is not the mantle of cult-hood, it is the stench of corruption, The fog of deception, and the paucity of intellect.
The voters of South Africa, will get the leader that they deserve.
That is incontrovertible, the plebiscite will always be the architect of its own demise.

Soon coming to a city near you....

first of all,those people at the statium where there for their Missiah J-Z and what they were doing shows that they love their president jacob zuma.Their intention was not to hurt one another.i'm also an anc member and i love jz so.viva Msholozi viva and phanze 'dead snakes phanze!'

"The long-running drama over Jacob Zuma and the arms deal has resulted in the country overlooking an aspect of the ANC president’s background which says even more about his fitness, or otherwise, to govern. At the end of last year, a biography was published on Zuma which was perhaps more interesting for what it did not contain. Written by journalist Jeremy Gordin, it fails to mention, for instance, that Zuma was a life-long communist. Zuma seems to have been anxious not to have this detail widely known. Nor is membership of the SA Communist Party mentioned in Zuma’s government and ANC biographies..." From article by David Beresford in thetimes.co.za/News/Article,aspx?id=944076
But that is onlt the proverbial tip_of_the-pick-axe folks ... read the whole truth above!