Cosatufication of South Africa

Over the past few weeks we have seen waves of strikes, one after the other, putting pressure on the newly formed administration of President Jacob Zuma. This was followed up by two significant events over the weekend both of which involve the ANC’s alliance partner Cosatu and neither of which covered them in glory either.

The first appeared in the Sunday Times in the form of an article by Paddy Harper styled “Cosatu to pursue anti-Zuma ‘plotters’ “. In it mention is made of radical transformation of the judiciary and media which they contend conspired against Zuma. As for those members of the NPA who they believe conspired against the President — good luck.

I hope Cosatu have got a big mirror at their head office because the major source of damage being occasioned to South Africa right now — and thereby the President — are Cosatu themselves and accordingly if they want to rid Zuma of his biggest problem …

In addition why they believe that this kind of Nazi-style rhetoric, last heard on “the Night of the Long Knives” would enhance this country’s image is anyone’s guess. It comes immediately after the nationalisation calls and amid the strikes. The only thing it lends itself to is the impression that while making the government and president’s life infinitely harder than they need to be they want to send a “message of undying loyalty to Zuma”.

I would imagine that in the midst of the global financial crisis and oncoming flu pandemic the president could do with a lot more co-operation and a little less prescription.

The second event was of course the removal of Tito Mboweni as the Governor of the Reserve Bank yesterday.

This article by the Mail & Guardian’s Nic Dawes sketches the build-up to the end of Mboweni’s reign and the appointment of Gill Marcus as his replacement.

There is no questioning Marcus’s pedigree and we all wish her well but there is an overriding sense that the alliance partners were once again involved in the decision to remove a top official when it was unnecessary to do so.

While it was wonderful of Cosatu to tell us all that they are not controlling the president it would be even nicer if they confirmed to the country that they do see themselves accountable to the country and its laws.

Right now you could have fooled me.