#ZumaMustFall (Dec 2015) and Racism (Jan 2016)

Here we are - at the dawn of a new year. So much has changed in the last two months. The rainbow nation falters at every step. Yet, we must soldier on - we have not yet broken the mental shackles that hold us back.

"Racist white South Africans hoping that Zuma’s fall will give them a white president or bring back apartheid is a true denial of the reality. It’s like Oscar believing that he’ll one day take part in the Olympics. Never.

​It’s like Donald Trump thinking that he’ll be the next American president. Never. It’s like Mercy Pakela believing that she’ll one day have a duet with Adele.So please stop taking expired drugs and accept or leave our country. Just because you got away with apartheid doesn’t mean we can’t see you using this Zuma campaign as a shield to hide your racism." Somizi Mhlongo - Idols Judge

The above was a Facebook post next to a few images of people with the old South African flag. Even though such instances were in the minority, that is what people chose to focus on rather than the bigger picture. 

Let's backtrack for a minute. What was this campaign about? Zuma made the ill-advised decision to remove the finance minister Nhlanhla Nene without warning which sent our markets and currency tumbling. Whether is was advised at all is still up for debate, and the feeble delayed reason given saw Zuma grasping at straws. It reminded me of the press conference of the investigation into Nkhandla (before the public protector's investigation), where a few ministers tried to justify the pool for "fire-fighting purposes" and the cattle kraal and chicken coop for closing up space that was a "security hazzard". Does the cabinet really expect people to buy this garbage?

Anyway, people protested, some with old flag, blah blah blah. The real issue here is, the campaign wasn't about having a white president or returning to apartheid; the question being asked is this: Is Zuma the best the ANC has to offer? Can any ANC supporter honestly answer "Yes"? Is he the best for the ANC and this country?

In the 2014 elections, the ANC lost ground and a municipality to the DA for the first time (image above). 2016 and it's time for the local government elections. The media is currently swamped with racism from Penny Sparrow's tweets, to the resulting fallout with Gareth Cliff, Somizi's fellow judge on Idols, who was axed for:
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"People really don't understand free speech at all"

Perceived as support for Sparrow and calls for a boycott of the Idols show, saw Mnet fire Cliff (legal avenues still ongoing). Like him or not, he has become the sacrificial lamb for something bigger - the racial divide.

How did the British conquer India? By playing the different religious groups against each other - the very reason Pakistan and Bangladesh are not part of India.

The ANC is looking to preserve their grasp on the country in the coming elections. What better way then a public campaign on racism. Their win is no doubt assured, though an overwhelming majority gives the ability to quash opposition and railroad ANC policy into place. With the financial blunders, the cash-cows i.e. the taxpayers can only support so much, and with the unrestrained wasteful spending and corruption it is only a matter of time before we break the camel's back. 

Again, I ask you, is Zuma the best the ANC has to offer? If not, then the people on the inside have to play their best move.