What is it about people who slight society and, instead of being arrested by feelings of shame, exhibit a sense of being entitled to not only be heard, but to lead?
It is true that anger, or feelings of disappointment, diminish over time, especially when the source exhibits genuine contrition.
In our politics, though, there are several examples — current and dated — of leaders who should be apologising, or atoning, for betraying public trust but who are raising their hands to lead. This means they, we must suppose, genuinely believe they’re the true embodiment of what our country requires to deal with the slew of challenges we face.
I have wrestled with the idea for the past week of someone like ANC presidential hopeful Zweli Mkhize saying he — who resigned his seat as health minister on account of the weight of allegations of corruption against him — will, wait for it, fight corruption should he become elected.
Mkhize tells us “we cannot afford another five years of ... directionless leadership”. And, in his mind, our nation’s direction could only come from his brilliant self. It may be true that our country is leaderless with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the helm, but how is tainted Mkhize the best this nation has? Have we plummeted to these very low depths in this nation of Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, Govan Mbeki and other illustrious leaders? Or has the presidency become a shelter for scoundrels running away from investigators?
It may be true that our country is leaderless with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the helm, but how is tainted Mkhize the best this nation has?
We have seen how former president — or is it more appropriate to say former prisoner? — Jacob Zuma killed off the Scorpions as soon as he arrived at the Union Buildings and, for more than 10 years, managed to buy himself time away from prison.
From that rule book, Mkhize, it seems, has learnt the shady art of shamelessness. He has learnt to speak with a straight face about fighting corruption when he has corruption written all over his face. To pretend that he is the very best there is.
Is the problem Mkhize’s naked, self-perpetuating ambition, or our nation’s increased levels of tolerance for mediocrity? That he has the temerity to raise his hand must convict all of us. For all our sins. It means we gave him reason to believe it is possible for one so shady to become president. It’s not so much gusto as it is electoral licence. That some in KwaZulu-Natal have nominated him, regardless of the pungent smell of corruption around him, speaks of how low the bar is in our country.
On social media, the cool kids would have told him he has “the liver! The audacity!”
Yet, there are many others who might outdo him in this world of the weird. Let’s revert to Zuma who called a press conference two weeks ago to tell the nation that he, the amazing leader he is, had resolved the problem of load-shedding and his progress was undone by Ramaphosa. For good measure, he slammed Ramaphosa for his Phala Phala side hustle.
Do we, as a country, invite the disrespect — or does Zuma dish it out to deflect the shame? We know that Zuma did not resolve load-shedding — he just used so much diesel that Eskom is now unable to borrow because its debt ballooned to about R400bn. Why would such an elderly person, who should be enjoying the twilight of his life with grandchildren, be lying while trying to become the ANC’s national chair?
Shouldn’t someone say to Zuma: “Sorry, but you belong in jail. So stop lecturing us about good governance, which the Zondo commission confirmed you helped violate?” Schabir Shaik. The Gupta brothers. When do you want to stop?
It’s possible that the Saturday press conference was about desperation to get Ramaphosa out of office as soon as possible given the fast-approaching ANC elective conference in December. And it may also be true that Ramaphosa is engaged in side hustles for which he must answer.
But Zuma, like Mkhize, is the last person to lecture us on the dangers of side hustles. His side hustle has led to his Gupta buddies being fugitives from justice. It has led to our diminished capacity to investigate and put behind bars crooks like Steinhoff boss Markus Jooste.
His side hustle has destroyed the careers of politicians currently in court, such as Bongani Bongo, and reduced Malusi Gigaba, a fine and promising leader, to a sad joke.
The arrests of Matshela Koko, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama and many others ensnared by the state capture monstrosity are proof that his side hustle destroyed many careers. It brought our country to the brink of collapse. We are still mopping up his mess. He must sit down and be contrite. He is the last person to tell us anything about load-shedding and side hustles.
He said: “I often wonder what the situation would have been if I was the one accused of having millions of dollars hidden under mattresses.” Well, Mr Zuma, just wonder away — you did enough damage already. That you’re raising your hand to be the ANC’s national chair makes us wonder what is going on in the vastness between your ears. But that is for you and the delegates next month.
As for the Phala Phala mess, Ramaphosa must be held accountable. The bright sparks at the Union Buildings may buy him time through his election next month, but his key test is in 2024.
If he fails, the police will arrive at his doors just as they did at Zuma’s, Bongo’s, Koko’s, Molefe’s, Gama’s and others. The two of you deserve time alone to think deeply about the damage you’ve both inflicted on our country.
Mkhize should do the same. We may have made our mistakes in the past, lowering the bar to your levels, but we know that this nation deserves much better.
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