Once again, the matter of least concern was what President Jacob Zuma said in his 5589-word report card to the nation. And that is the massive tragedy of this annual shit show. Amidst the people assemblies, the soldiers on the streets, the brutality of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) removal from the House, pepper spray being let off in the guests’ gallery, the refusal to grant a moment’s silence for 94 dead psychiatric patients and the police impeding the work of journalists, Zuma rattled off another dreary speech with promises he is never held to account for.
Growth, radical economic transformation, the nine point plan he cannot remember, more aggressive land redistribution and black participation in the economy. These have been pegged as government’s game plan for the year. These are also the phrases that will be trundled out again the next time Zuma has to say what he is doing with his presidency.
“Today we are starting a new chapter of radical socio-economic transformation. We are saying that we should move beyond words, to practical programmes,” Zuma said in the speech. Beyond the words is just chaos. And more chaos.
“There was no calamity”, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told journalists in an impromptu briefing outside Parliament in response to questions about the deployment of troops to “maintain law and order”. “If there had been a calamity, obviously the SANDF (South African National Defence Force) would have to come in and support the police.”
Oh but there is a major calamity. The Presidency of Jacob Zuma is a calamity of epic proportions.
Not that he would ever acknowledge that things are spiralling out of control. For Zuma, the good times continue to roll. Nothing opposition party members say to him hits home.
“Zuma is rotten to the core,” EFF leader Julius Malema said while raising one of numerous points of order. “Your 441 soldiers won't protect you here,” he told the president. Zuma smiled in response.
“Mr Zuma please leave. Baba please leave,” EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi appealed to Zuma. “Mr Zuma is a delinquent… He must leave.”
Again Zuma chuckled.
After an incredibly violent clash between parliamentary security and the EFF, DA chief whip John Steenhuisen informed the House that army personnel in military fatigues were in the parliamentary precinct. He told Zuma: “This man has broken South Africa. You have broken Parliament.”
Zuma stared at him dispassionately. From the ANC benches, somebody shouted “Fuck you!”
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