Jacob Zuma’s inauguration at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, South Africa, was characterised by early rains hastily retreating and giving way to clear blue skies and a heart-warming speech from the new president. If ever there was a sign from above that the dark clouds, which have dogged the ANC president, might now be replaced by sunshine and perhaps even the odd rainbow or two, this was it.
Certainly the president’s opening address lends itself to the belief that the growing fears that South Africa was losing its way as the rainbow nation, might now be put into reverse. No dark philosophy or obscure language here, it began with a moving tribute to iconic former president Nelson Mandela, thanking him for making reconciliation the central theme of his presidency and showing South Africans the way forward.
A reconciliation that Zuma pursued with vigour as he acknowledged the roles played by former presidents FW de Klerk, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Montlanthe. Where acrimony and division had occasioned a rift within the ANC, the president elected to respond to Mbeki’s attendance at the ceremony by not only warmly embracing him upon his arrival and departure, but crediting him with the strength of the economy at this point in time. This offers Mbeki and those who support him a fork in the road whereby they need only choose the path of friendship and unity to be welcomed back into the fold.
So too in the case of De Klerk who was thanked for his role in ending apartheid thereby sending a signal to not only the Afrikaans community but white South Africans as a whole that they too are very much a part of the new South Africa. Finally a warm expression of gratitude and friendship to Motlanthe who will surely become his deputy and thereby put an end to the rivalry that has featured in every presidency since Madiba. This duo will be complimentary rather than adversarial as they assume the reins of the good ship South Africa.
Indeed Zuma’s inaugural speech must be read together with the one he gave after he had been elected as president by the National Assembly. Despite the bitterness and mudslinging that featured heavily in the build-up to the election, Zuma immediately called upon the current opposition parties to work together with the government in the interests of common goals and requested those in government and the ruling party to be more open to criticism.
The president then went on to signal his commitment to the Constitution and a deepening of the country’s democracy. In terms thereof he reaffirmed a commitment to media freedom, debate and perhaps vital to stability and orderly future transfers of power, dissent. This offers all those who have stood by him, opposed him in the past and even those who will not share his views in the future, the opportunity and the space within which to propose and debate as they work towards a common goal of building this great nation.
It was a wonderful example of nation building that sought to unify the various components that make up our whole while attempting to return us to the vision of a rainbow nation that was worthy of Madiba himself.
The president referred to it as South Africa’s moment of renewal. A time where cynicism, complacency and excuses should not be tolerated. Where delivery must play a vital role all the while accepting that for as long as people do not have shelter, access to clean water, jobs and succumb to preventable diseases that we cannot rest and we dare not falter.
He called upon all stakeholders in the economy to enter into a partnership with the government in order that the process of building on the economy be enhanced. This while acknowledging that the world was currently facing financial upheaval that would have to be factored into our progress but that the economy remained strong.
He paid a special tribute to the part played by the international, and particularly the African community, in ending the struggle against apartheid and bringing democracy to our country. This while confirming that it is important to become a country that shows accountability to our people and is a responsible member of the world community.
It really was a fabulous address which comprised straight talk, a common touch and left no-one guessing at the meaning behind the words.
Of course starting from tomorrow the hard work will begin in earnest with many tough questions presenting themselves and none tougher than choosing the cabinet.
The president, as a former deputy president, backed by the NEC, senior parliamentarians and the alliance partners, should be more than able to deal with the challenges that lie ahead. I’m hoping that the rocky start which brought him to this point will soon be overtaken by the achievements of the man who may well turn out to be the most likeable president in our history.
The masses on the south lawn of the Union Buildings will certainly attest to that.
Cartoon: President Zuma’s Cabinet
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