Nkandla will forever haunt Zuma

Last week has been the toughest seven days that the ANC has faced post-apartheid. The monumental ruling by the constitutional court’s Mogoeng Mogoeng not only restored faith in the hearts of many South Africans that this country is still functional, but that not all members in the judiciary system are puppets to the Man.
History was made as Jacob Zuma was found to be the first president in post-apartheid South Africa to break his oath of office. No doubt Nkandla will forever haunt Zuma long after his term.
Every president has a smear on their time in office, for example Thabo Mbeki’s handling of the HIV crisis or Nelson Mandela’s allegations of a romantic relationship with his caretaker, but not one as serious as the mismanagement of public funds. Soon after the ground-breaking judgement was made, it was announced by the presidency that the President would analyse the judgment and address the nation. Most Zuma haters and supporters sat deep in their sofas at 8pm Friday night fearing or revering his possible resignation. Most were surprised when Zuma did the opposite and instead justified his innocence in the matter and was apparently “not aware”.
I on the other hand was not surprised I had expected him to totally ignore calls of resignation and instead weave an elaborate tapestry of words which he is an expert at. His speech was a missed opportunity and the load was now on the weathered hands of Gwede Mantashe who handled it fairly well. Don’t get him wrong though – Zuma has done good with diplomacy, whether he strengthens existing trade ties or forges new ones, but it’s hard to focus on the good if there are allegations of corruption, rape and selling our sovereignty to the highest bidder.
Zuma resigning would, as Gwede Mantashe said,  “tear the ANC apart”. If Zuma left the factions in the ANC would reach boiling point as the scramble for power would result in a bloodbath resembling the likes of a Game of Thrones sword fight. Not to mention the erection of the camps of supporters and haters. Not to mention the upcoming elections and if it’s one thing I’ve learnt, people don’t like surprises, especially when it comes to politics.
Honestly Zuma leaving would have done more damage than him staying. Him resigning as the head of state would mean a new president would be sworn in, but Zuma would remain the president of the ANC the current ruling party; two holds of power, one at the Union buildings and the next in Luthuli house, in actual sense two presidents.
Even if Zuma wanted to leave he couldn’t. All the attention on him would disappear, making us look at the bigger picture, turning the mirror off of him and now on the ANC, divided, corrupt members and fatally loyal to the leader.
SUNESAN REDDY (14 yrs)
Salt Rock