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Former President Jacob Zuma, accused of corruption, participating in a virtual discussion on the ANC’s social cohesion and nation-building policy.
- Parliament does not help in terms of national construction and social cohesion, says former president Jacob Zuma, accused of corruption.
- As he used to do after question sessions in the Fifth Parliament, he complained that the deputies are disrespectful and insulting.
- He did not speak of his challenge to the Constitutional Court and the Zondo Commission, but assured that there is still enough tea in Nkandla.
Former President Jacob Zuma, accused of corruption, said that Parliament is “destructive” in terms of nation-building and social cohesion.
Zuma was among the panelists who discussed the ANC’s policy document on social cohesion and nation-building on Sunday.
Last week, Zuma’s name was often heard in the chamber of the National Assembly, when a joint session of Parliament debated his successor’s fifth state of the nation address (SONA).
Opposition speakers, except for the EFF, criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa for saying that Zuma needed time and space as he defied the Constitutional Court by refusing to appear before the Zondo Commission.
On the other hand, EFF leader Julius Malema repeated Zuma’s unsubstantiated claims that some judges took money from the CR17 campaign.
ANC speakers said that the Constitution must be respected and that the rule of law must apply to all, while Justice Minister Ronald Lamola defended the judiciary against rumor attacks.
Zuma did not address issues related to the Constitutional Court and the Zondo Commission at all.
Speaking first during the well-attended virtual meeting, he described and provided historical context to the ANC’s policy document on social cohesion, which championed public forums to discuss social cohesion and nation-building.
He said that Parliament is one of the most important forums for these dialogues.
“Unfortunately, the focus of the parliamentary debates is mainly oriented to achieve electoral advantages in the short term. The atmosphere does not give the impression to the public that a united and cohesive country is possible,” he said.
“Many citizens do not understand the antagonistic style and are disappointed when they see what manifests as outright hostility between political parties and disrespect on their television screens.
“What leaders project into action is very important, and the ANC, as the leader of the society, needs to reflect on this issue and reflect on how we can build a society in which leaders can disagree outright without being disrespectful.”
He said that Parliament, as a public and open institution, is not contributing to the debate on social cohesion and nation building.
“Sometimes some people think it’s very destructive, because people insult each other, do all kinds of things. In a sense, it doesn’t contribute to nation-building.”
He also said that he does not believe that Parliament reflects South African citizens.
“There is less content in the discussions. How do we move forward, building a cohesive nation and society? That debate is not in Parliament. Therefore, not necessarily, in my opinion, they represent the citizens who watch them, want to hear what hopes they give, how they advance, etcetera.
“In the old democracies, they can deal with it clearly, as if they were fighting. I think, with us, we have not reached that point yet. We think that, to confront them, we have to yell at them: use insults sometimes, etcetera.
He said voters have the power to remedy the situation.
READ ALSO | State Capture: ANC also wants to know why Minister Bheki Cele went to Nkandla
Zuma’s comments recall the times, during the Fifth Parliament, when he complained about the conduct of opposition deputies after his question sessions in the National Assembly.
Zuma, who was president for nearly nine years, also said that, as a government, the ANC has moved away from its own policies.
After introducing Zuma, former Minister Jeff Radebe, who chaired the discussion, jokingly asked if there was still tea left in Nkandla’s shop, referring to recent visits to Zuma from Malema, the MKMVA and Police Minister Bheki Cele.
“Don’t worry, the tea is still there for those who want to come to Nkandla to use. Don’t worry, they can come, we’ll have it.”
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