Zuma’s honeymoon period

Irrespective of how you voted or your feelings towards the ruling party, the time has come to afford the ANC and soon to be national president Jacob Zuma and his incoming administration the breathing space they need to get everything up and running. The time for electioneering is over and the future wellbeing of this country requires that the government of South Africa be given the opportunity to start carrying out the mandate that it has been given by the majority of the people of this country.

I have noted the views of many experts and analysts regarding the background to Zuma as well as the manner in which power has been achieved. Moreover this site has also questioned the manipulation of the organisations of state and the internal fighting within the ruling party. While this is not academic as yet, it needs to be put on the backburner in order to allow the new government every opportunity to succeed.

In terms of the “Zuma struggle” to achieve power it should be noted that right throughout his existence he has persevered even though it repeatedly seemed as if his career had been dealt a final blow. This should provide an answer to those who feel that he is merely a puppet whose strings are being pulled by others. We should also not be misled by the fact that he will be appointing members of the South African Communist Party and Cosatu in senior positions as proof that it is they who hold the reins of government. Zuma’s fight back was based upon a mandate from the ANC left wing, ANCYL, Cosatu and the SACP to speed up transformation and bring relief to the masses of our country.

This mandate, received at Polokwane, was taken to the polls and confirmed by the people of South Africa in terms of an overwhelming majority. Accordingly, and even though Zuma will be required to perform a delicate balancing act between business and labour, his appointment of senior members of the alliance partners in cabinet should be seen in the light thereof.

Recently we have seen ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa confirming to overseas investors that the government would be continuing the conservative fiscal and monetary policies that saw South Africa weathering the financial storms rather better than most countries. Revenue, according to Phosa, for the new thrust on housing, health, energy and the like would be sought primarily from new streams of income. This is a clear indication that the incoming government wants to continue to promote business and investment without losing sight of its undertaking to the masses. This must be given every chance of success.

We have also witnessed the ruling party’s even-handed approach to the issue of gender equality in the appointment of premiers. This bodes extremely well for the future and hopefully these premiers will repay the faith and sensitivity shown by the ANC in this regard by urgently getting to grips with service delivery, crime and uplifting local communities.

One of the best bits of news (for me) was the fact that former president Thabo Mbeki called to congratulate Zuma and will be attending the inauguration. This will go a long way towards healing the rift in the party, reducing tension in the country and allow the new government the opportunity to focus on the business of South Africa rather than the inner turmoil of the party.

In my case I hope to see the return of Winnie Mandela at a very senior level and the success of a government made up of many people who just a few short years ago seemed lost to this country.

Sometimes it’s those you least expect to succeed who surprise us all.

Cartoon: South African 2009 election results