14 theSun | THURSDAY APRIL 23 2009

INTERVIEWS VIEWS

by Daniel Howden

IF SOUTH AFRICA’S all-powerful ANC is

humbled at the ballot box, it would be a
message sent from somewhere like the Elias
Motsoaledi settlement.
A slum, named after a hero of the apartheid
struggle, it is cast in the shadow of Soweto’s
No stopping ANC Which of
Zuma’s
wives
iconic chimneys. The 50,000 inhabitants live
on unpaved streets of broken promises. The
new South Africa of public housing, just like
the electricity pylons, has passed by these tin
The ruling African National Congress is set to win South Africa’s general
will be
shacks. Its toilet blocks do not flush, there is no
running water and no school.
election with party leader Jacob Zuma becoming the next president.
However, opposition partieshave joined hands to stop the ANC securing first lady?
Yet there is an inconvenient truth for those the two-thirds majority which gives it the power to amend the constitution
hoping that Jacob Zuma’s certain victory in by Daniel Howden
yesterday’s elections will be soured by a heav-
ily reduced majority. If there is a protest vote WHILE it is customary before
that will stop the African National Congress an election to wonder who will
winning the two-thirds majority it craves, it emerge as first lady, it’s unusual
will not come from Elias Motsoaledi. to ask the question when only
The signs of dissent were everywhere with one man can possibly be presi-
ANC rivals smiling down from myriad posters. dent.
Last week, hundreds of residents marched on Jacob Zuma is about to take
their local councillor’s office in response to power in South Africa but the
rumours that their land – to which they hold identity of his official consort is
no title – had been sold out from under them. an open field. The gregarious
However, there are more opposition posters president-in-waiting has married
than opposition voters here. For residents like five times, although one wife has
Soloman Rampai the equation remains simple: divorced him and another com-
“The people are the ANC. The ANC will always mitted suicide.
win the elections.” The favourite is Nompume-
Unemployed, like most of his neighbours, lelo Ntuli, a 34-year-old from the
he has plenty of time to think, and sounds China’s same rural area of KwaZulu-
even more tired of the corruption saga that has African National Congress of the Democratic Inkatha Freedom Natal, whom he married a little
pursued the ANC leader, than the 67-year-old Congress (ANC) People (COPE)
economy over a year ago. But she is not
Alliance (DA) Party (IFP)
accused himself.
Led by Jacob New party set up Led by Helen Mangosuthu
recovering: the newest wife as Thobeka
“They have spent hundreds of millions of Central Mabhija, a Durban socialite with
rand and they found him guilty of nothing,” Zuma who has by ANC rebels Zille – popular Buthelezi’s IFP whom Zuma is said to have two
he says. “There is too much concentration on recently and after ousting of mayor of Cape holds 23 seats in bank children, was wedded to him
corruption.” controversially President Thabo Town and former parliament. pg 17 this January.
Opinion polls suggest the ANC may fall nar- MaNtuli, as last year’s wife
rowly short of the margin of victory that would
had corruption Mbeki last anti-apartheid Tensions between is known, also faces a challenge
allow it to change the constitution at will. Two charges against September. Led campaigner. DA ANC and IFP go from Zuma’s first wife, Sizakele
recent surveys gave the party 65% and 60% of him dropped. by Rev. Mvume is tipped to snatch back to apartheid Khumalo. They have been
the vote respectively. South Africa’s Dandala, COPE Western Cape. era when both together for 50 years and mar-
But the same polls illuminate something ruling party holds is first serious Strongest fought over control ried in 1973, but MaKhumalo is
that much of the outside world fails to see: rarely at official engagements
most ordinary people are not overly concerned 297 seats in black-led opposition party of KwaZulu-Natal, and never speaks in public.
with the endless corruption charges. current parliament challenger to ANC with 47 seats Zulu homeland The 67-year-old has not
Far from being an electoral liability for the hidden his polygamy which
ANC, the Zulu showman is recognised as the South Africa has a national assembly of 400 seats and national council of is allowed under a 1998 law
“Presidentertainer” as one popular newspaper 90 seats. Election to the national assembly is based on proportional recognising customary mar-
dubbed him last weekend. The man himself representation.The leader of the party with the most seats becomes president riage practices. It is traditional
emphasised his own relaxed approach to the for a Zulu elder to have sev-
final steps on his tortured journey to State Pictures: Associated Press © GRAPHIC NEWS eral wives. Zuma often sounds
House by asking “How can I be stressed? There bemused at the attention his
is no word for stress in Zulu.” In the wealthier marriages attract, pointing out
“They say if you can’t beat them, join them,” surrounds of Sowe- that his approach is preferable
says 30-year-old Xolisa Gogwana, a builder to’s Orlando East, to the hypocrisy of leaders in
by trade but a tourist guide by necessity. “You where Nelson other countries who have kept
can’t beat the ANC, so ...” Mandela’s old home mistresses. “I love my wives and
As for his view of the country’s president in is now a museum I’m proud of my children,” is his
waiting: “Zuma’s part entertainer, part presi- these concerns feel stock response. Those children
dent,” he adds with a smile. less urgent. are reported to number at least
The streetfighter who won his titanic strug- “The ANC isn’t 13, although many more women
gle with predecessor Thabo Mbeki, despite just a party, it’s have claimed to have had chil-
seven years of courtroom battles, is viewed a culture,” says dren by the politician.
with more affection than the man he defeated. Simtha Mlawu a Zuma’s camp has refused
In the local Shebeen, or drinking den, Pina young musician to comment on who is ahead
Gordon echoes the sentiments of many when who was still in in the race to be first lady, and
he says the former deputy president must get people what the ANC has done for them? They high school in 1994. “The ANC isn’t Mbeki. told people to wait until after
his chance at last. “We must give him a year. follow them just for the money.” The ANC isn’t Zuma.” his inauguration. There can be
They have promised us many things and after Money has certainly played a part in the It is Madiba though, as Nelson Mandela is only one name admitted to the
a year we will see.” Past failures, he says, “can’t campaign with the breakaway Congress of the known here. Madiba is thought to get on well spousal office of the presidency
be blamed on the ANC.” People (Cope) spurring the ANC to spend R200 with “JZ”, and after the frosty, paranoid Mbeki at Pretoria.
That is exactly what Patrick Ntlali is trying million (RM79.6 million) on this campaign. years that’s enough for many people. MaNtuli is the pundits’ fa-
to do though. Sitting in the back of an antique Not everyone is convinced. Neliswa His appearance at the last ANC rally before vourite after a speaking appear-
red Nissan he is campaigning in the slum for Chwayi, a mother of two, says she isn’t vot- the poll only served to ram home the point. ance last month and could well
the minority United Democratic Movement. ing for anyone. Fifteen years after the end of “Madiba has influence over JZ,” says be in the photograph with Carla
“It’s hard work,” he admits. “These (ANC) apartheid there is one tap per street and one Mlawu. “Even now I’d expect Madiba to be Bruni or Michelle Obama when
people have a long time in power, they have metal pit toilet per house where she lives. Too having a say behind the scenes.” – The Inde- the new president goes on tour.
all the money. If you get deeper and ask these many promises have been broken, she says. pendent – The Independent

letter
letters@thesundaily.com

Leaders must serve all communities

I AGREE with the sentiments ex-
pressed in the letter “Radical change
needed” (April 22).
I am happy to say that I have
advocated this concept too, and for a
long time. In a letter to the editor way
back in the 1960’s, I asked when we
would call ourselves Malaysians first
and last? I am delighted to see that
this is beginning to happen at least in
some ways.
And I am pleased with the 1Malay-
sia ideal advocated by Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak. It is a
document that should go a long way
in our lives. We should ponder on it
deeply and then apply it.
Yes, our leaders must be leaders
for all in Malaysia, and that is the need
for today. They cannot just be leaders
of their own community only. Not any
more.
Put simply, Umno leaders must be
seen to be leaders of other communi-
ties. So too should the leaders in MCA,
MIC, etc.
I am often pleased to see MCA
striving to work for other communities.
Take for instance the MCA complaints
bureau headed by Michael Chong, it is
there to serve all the communities. It is
an example of how other parties too
can serve all the communities.
So today, leaders cannot just focus
on their own community or clan. That
isn’t Malaysia or 1Malaysia. Under this
concept you lead everyone.
For Barisan Nasional to capture the
hearts and minds of the rakyat it must
be seen to be working for all the com-
munities. It must begin to understand
the troubles of the people more so
during the economic downturn.
And it must lead the people to the
right path and to live in a harmonious
way, while it is seen to be humble,
credible and honest in dealing with
what is ailing the people.
We must exercise fair play and
justice in what we do. So it pays to be
good and kind at all times. And I see
much is at stake if politicians do not.
And today there must be better
and innovative ways to handle all
matters before us.
Our leaders must be seen to work
for all Malaysians to create stability,
well-being, and security.
If 1Malaysia works, there is a bright
future for all of us. But it will not work
if we quarrel and bicker.
And it is also very important for
politicians to stop playing the racial
card. It does not help anyone. Let us
live by the tenets of the federal con-
stitution. Respect and abide by it, do
not question it.
Bulbir Singh
Seremban