Sorry, but Zuma Still Makes My Skin Crawl
I listened to the Redi Direko show on 567/702 all morning where various points of view were discussed before the press conference.
Vusi Pikoli was interviewed and said he believed the courts had to decide on Zuma’s innocence or guilt. I agreed with him wholeheartedly.
Then Judge William Heath entered the fray with an opposing view, giving his reasons why charges should be dropped. I was convinced that he was right too.
When stand in National Prosecuting Director Mr Mpshe eventually made his statement about dropping charges, I wanted to throw something through the radio.
He did not say what I wanted to hear! I want Zuma tried, jailed and never ever seen in public again.
My reasoning isn’t in the least bit intellectual. I can see why charges should be dropped, as much as I can see why they shouldn’t be dropped.
According to a law professor at UWC who appeared on the Redi Direko Show, a judge would likely laugh the matter out of court because of all the meddling that has gone on.
That’s only one opinion. There are many more that disagrees.
My heard hurts from trying to make sense of the everything.
I have however been examining my own feelings towards Jacob Zuma.
Even as a current ANC supporter, I loathe the man when I have never met him or seldom heard him speak.
It’s an instinctive reaction. He appears on tv and I grab my remote.
His rape trial probably had a huge influence – just thinking that some poor woman was forced to get into bed with that man is enough to make my skin crawl. It boggles my mind that anyone would go willingly near him.
When Zuma was deputy president in the Mbeki government – well before the charges were brought against him – I hardly noticed the man at all. He was well and truly in Thabo Mbeki’s shadow. No sign of a future president in sight.
The Mbeki camp and the media must have done a very good job of demonising Zuma – making him into the political villian in true soap opera fashion.
Perhaps if Zuma was better looking, more intellectual or more western in features (like Tokyo Sexwale for instance) we would have been more understanding?
I don’t know the answer.
I still don’t like the decision and Zuma still makes my skin crawl.
Even although I know I have been manipulated, there is no way I could bring myself to vote for that man.
Thabo Mbeki wins this one!
.jpg)
14 Responses to “Sorry, but Zuma Still Makes My Skin Crawl”
By WaZzA on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
Abigail – again If you “loath” the man how can you give the party he is the face of your support? Misguided Abigail, rather put your efforts into calling the ANC on the wrongs that they have done instead of using your time and intellect to defend the criminal organisation – it will have a far more positive effect.
By WaZzA on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
Trevor Manuel – formerly a minister and public figure I respected greatly and who I felt especially in recent years gave credibility to a regime rife with corruption and hidden agenda’s but he followed suite and behaved in a despicable and arrogant manner. Dalai Lama a despot? A fuedal lord?
Laughable, yet China who is strip-mining parts of Africa, and has little regard for human rights has to not be offended.
Good job Mr. Manuel, you were in my opinion the last remaining redeeming feature of the defuct ANC, no I am 100% sure of my choice not to vote ANC. After hearing Bishop Tutu brought to tears discussing the issue, there is no doubt that any morality left in that organisation is now gone.
By Abigail Abrahams on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
WazZa, the ANC is not a criminal organisation.
It is the same organisation that brought us Nelson Mandela and a host of other national heros. You hate the ANC, I get it, but I do not share your view in the least.
I criticize the ANC when I do not agree with them, for instance when the Scorpions were disbanded and I support a strong opposition so that our great country has checks and balances.
I just hope that official opposition will not be the DA.
By Abigail Abrahams on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
What’s wrong with Mr Manuel offering an opinion? Doesn’t make him right.
Just because you don’t agree with someone doesn’t mean you can’t listen to their opinion, disagree and move on.
I respect the Dalai Lamas position in the world and have no problem with him entering the country now or after 2010, but in fact he is a politician as much as Trevor Manuel, Desmond Tutu, etc.
By WaZzA on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
Yes Abigail – I am well aware of the history of the ANC and the great men and women that were part of its rank and file. It WAS indeed once a mighty organization, morally grounded, principled with a clear vision and sense of purpose. It IS no longer the same organization, and yes it is criminal Abigail, choose not to see it at your peril. I DO NOT “hate” the ANC Abigail – for me its not a personal issue as it is clearly with you and your dislike of Helen Zille – I simply feel (and I repeat this yet again) that the ANC does not deserve to stay in power based on their track record purely becasue they WERE once a great liberation organization.
Abigail thats the first I hear you say that re: the scorpions. There was a poster Clubber on your blog weeks back who mentioned this point over and over and you simply ignored it.
Yes that was yet another instance of ANC making it easier for them to steal with no-one holding them accountable.
By WaZzA on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
Firstly who said I “cant” listen to him? Misquoting again Abigail.
The Dalai Lama and Tutu politicians? You are seriously delusional! He was a firm supporter of the ANC and other liberation movements throughout Southern Africa, and we repay the favor by calling him a despot and fuedal lord? Manuel should stick to numbers and leave history and social anthropology to others as he clearly has no idea of the history of Tibet.
By Abigail Abrahams on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
I disagree with you on your opinion on the ANC.
Btw my dislike of Zuma is well documented on this blog as my dislike for Zille and I have mentioned that my support for the ANC is not without criticism when needed.
As I did when the Scorpions were disbanded as proven with this post http://glasspearl.co.za/blog/2008/12/17/no-reason-for-doubt/
By WaZzA on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
Sure Abigail – its your right, but facts do speak for themselves and any impartial person looking at the ANC’s track record over the past 15 years would most certainly see the ANC for what it is.
Yes it is well documented on your blog but you dont like JZ because of his rape charge as you have said time and again, whereas Zille it is personal.
Why then ignore that point that was made over and over by other bloggers when you were defendeing the ANC – is it simply because its easier to defend them if you gloss over their failures, as that is what you seem to do.
And Abigail you mention “I am not ready to vote for a white party and I doubt it will ever happen” So racism is alive and well – good to see Abigail. Crazy…
By Abigail Abrahams on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
You misunderstand me (again) WaZzA. My intention is not to say you are not listening to Manuel in particular.
It’s a general statement. Listen, discern, agree or disagree and move on. Manuel was giving his opinion in forum at UCT. Should he have lied? Is his opinion less than yours or mine?
And yes, both Tutu and the Dalai Lama are politicians. Tutu has been heavily involved in politics in the 80s…he made many political statements when the ANC was released. He is a politician.
The Dalai Lama is a politician too. He is the leader of Tibet! What more can I say?
A politician (from Greek “polis”) is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of politics or a person who influences the way a society is governed through an understanding of political power and group dynamics. …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politician
By Abigail Abrahams on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
You are certainly not that impartial person, WaZzA.
What point am I ignoring? I’ve said more times than I care to remember that I support the ANC as a political party.
Can you understand how someone in the US who loathed the thought of voting for Obama above Clinton did so for the good of the party? It’s funny how quickly people forget the horror that was the US elections before Obama was elected in the primaries. Some voters even wondered how he got from zero to hero in double quick time.
That’s how it is for me…I vote for the good of the party I support. And this year I’m only voting ANC locally.
My parents and grandparents couldn’t vote all their adult lives … I call that crazy.
If you’re think I’m being racist, so be it.
By WaZzA on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
Abigail – first off I do understand the definition of a politician. And yes while Tutu may have made speeches in support of the ANC he can hardly be termed a ploitician. He does not receive salary from governemnt, is not an MP etc. And as far a sthe Dalai Lama goes – he is the spiritual leader of Tibet, so no not enough said, that certainly doesnt make him a politican.
Manuel is entitled to his opinion – just suprised me that an intelligent man like Manuel doesnt choose his words more carefully, in light of the venue he was at, maybe he felt the need to sound acedemic – he most certainly did not – sounded like a fool.
Abigail you cant say Im not impartial based on the fact that I disagree with you about the success/failure of the ANC.
You do not know my personal history, that of my family, my race, religion, nor who I voted for in the past elections in this country. I feel no need to shout all this info out from the roof tops as some posters on your blog do. I feel my opinion is my opinion without having to mention all these things for someone to look at it seriously. Perhaps if I did it may suprise you though Abigail.
Again I do not feel the need to mention my family’s struggles in the past etc. so all I can say is shame on the last governemnt for not allowing your grandparents to vote, and shame on them for much else they did but If that is your only reason (your grandparents) for never voting for a “white” party I feel sorry for you. And yes that mentality is racist Abigail, no other way to look it. You justify it in your way and the Nats justified in their way. Thats why racism is such an easy option – its a cop-out. In your head its justified, like it was justied in reverse in Verwoerd’s head.
By Abigail Abrahams on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
WaZzA,
You’re right about one thing. I don’t know you from a bar of soap. I don’t know your background, ethnicity or anything other than what you write on here.
When I give you my opinion though, it is just that. My opinion. I am not making judgements about you or your family or your way of life. As you’ve said I don’t know you.
If you want to be dramatic and compare me to Verwoerd, then all I can do is laugh. Because I would never support legislation that decides where someone should live, get educated, who they should love, etc.
I will however not vote for the DA based on their history and their white leadership. And that is based on my background and my experiences of living in apartheid South Africa.
You can vote for whoever you want or not at all. I don’t remember you saying who you’re going to vote for.
I am not calling for legislation to prohibit anyone else from voting DA, although I do vigourously campaign against the DA. Democratically (ironic isn’t it) that is my right.
I put down the definition of politician in my comment, not because I don’t think you know the meaning, I put it there to prove my point. I don’t know if you know the meaning or not, as I don’t know you.
Which remains that Archbishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama are politicians. Since you know the definition, I guess you know it does not state that one has to be paid for the job, but one must want to influence the opinion of a community. That is exactly what the two men in question attempt to do. Whether we agree with them or not, they are politicians.
By WaZzA on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
Abigail, I am not comparing you to Verwoerd as a person nor saying that you would support such legislation, I am making the point that that racism can be justifed for either end; some racism is extreme like that practiced by Verwoerd and some to a lessor degree such as the racism you feel comfortable to practice. The degree may differ but the irrational rejection of something based on a persons color is rediculous – to my mind at least.
Yes Abigail – the dictionary does not state that a politician needs to be paid to be a politician, but logic would tell you that what being a politician has evolved into today – not in Greek times, is someone in public service, in th epay of government, in parliament or campaigning – other than during Apartheid Archbishop Tutu has done a fine job of being apolitcal. He has also had the courage to speak out against this current government with regards to AIDS, ARMS DEAL, CRIME, SERVICE DELIVERY, CORRUPTION and recently TREVOR MANUEL. He is a man of God and and to even use the word politician to describe Desmond Tutu is misplaced and I feel an insult, needless to say that calling the Dalai Lama a politician is an insult too. While politicians are lining their pockets brave men like these speak out against injustice.
To speak out takes courage especially when its one of our own we sometimes have to speak out against – It pains me no end Abigail to see how the ANC have lied to us and stolen from our people, but I would rather speak out against this at every chance I get than to turn a blind eye or to justify it because of my past admiration of the ANC or because of nostalgia.
By Abigail Abrahams on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
WaZzA, logic tells me a politician is one who tries to influence a community to their opinion and it can be one who runs for office and gets a salary from us the tax payer.
I don’t see it as an insult to call someone a politician, especially when they are one. The Dalai Lama has traditionally been the spiritual and absolute political leader of Tibet.
Desmond Tutu has been vocal and vigourous in his attempts to have people see his point of view on political matters. He’s received funding from all over the world while putting his views out there, which would not have happened had he been preaching in his church only (before his retirement). Yes, Archbishop Tutu has the courage to speak, because he is a politician.
BTW, Are you saying all politicians are corrupt?
Not all politicians use their power in a bad way. Not every corrupt person in government is a politician. Some of them are just beaurocrats going through the motions.
WaZzA, you have as much right to speak against what you believe as I have. Just because I don’t agree with you, doesn’t mean you’re wrong and I’m right.
It just means that we don’t see things the same way.