South Africa's President Zuma: Is this his 'let them eat cake' moment?
This post originally appeared on The views expressed are the author's own.聽
There is an apocryphal story that in France, King Louis XVI鈥檚 queen Marie Antoinette was once told, 鈥淢adame, the people have no bread.鈥� To which she replied, 鈥渢hen let them eat cake.鈥�
The reality behind the story was of a self-centered court widely perceived as isolated from the French people. The French Revolution followed shortly after.聽
A report issued by South Africa鈥檚 national ombudsman, Public Protector聽, brings Marie Antoinette to mind.
After a two year investigation she has issued a聽聽finding that President Jacob Zuma鈥檚 expenditure of some $23 million on his Nkandla estate allegedly for 鈥渟ecurity enhancements鈥� was 鈥渋nconsistent with his office.鈥�
Among other things, 鈥渟ecurity enhancements鈥� included a swimming pool, described as fire-fighting equipment.
Ms. Madonsela's 444-page report urges Zuma to repay 鈥渁 reasonable percentage of the cost of the measures.鈥� The $23 million is several times the amount spent on the security of the residences of national icon Nelson Mandela.
President Zuma has responded that he will study the report and respond in 鈥渄ue course.鈥� Thuli Madonsela has an enviable reputation for independence and probity. The story is carried in the聽, March 19, 2014.
The real kicker in the聽Times聽story is near the end. 鈥淢oney to complete the work was diverted from inner-city regeneration projects.鈥�
Here is where the 鈥渃ake鈥� comes in: diverting money from inner-city deprived areas for a private compound smacks of isolation from the realities of South Africa, and especially from the natural constituency of the ruling African National Congress.
National elections are on May 7 this year.
Up to now, South African voting patterns have largely been along racial lines, with the 80 percent of the electorate that is black voting overwhelmingly for the ruling African National Congress.
However, the party and Jacob Zuma are increasingly seen as isolated, incompetent, and corrupt. There is speculation that while the African National Congress will retain its parliamentary majority, the percentage of seats in parliament that it holds will fall substantially below its present control of two-thirds of the seats.
Should the ANC percentage fall below 60 percent that would be an earthquake in South African politics. There is speculation that if the party representation falls below 60 percent, it will remove Zuma from his position as party leader -- and, likely, the presidency.
This would be a 鈥漴evolution鈥� -- of sorts.
