This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/12/jacob-zuma-state-of-the-union-address-lost-his-swagger
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Zuma's state address: South Africa's president has lost his swagger | Zuma's state address: South Africa's president has lost his swagger |
| (7 months later) | |
| Even before the South African president took to the podium, there were telltale signs that things would be different at Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address this year. | Even before the South African president took to the podium, there were telltale signs that things would be different at Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address this year. |
| There was a ring of steel around parliament, less of the usual pomp and ceremony, and both the president and deputy president skipped their customary stroll up the red carpet. | There was a ring of steel around parliament, less of the usual pomp and ceremony, and both the president and deputy president skipped their customary stroll up the red carpet. |
| Most revealing was that this year there was no giggling or swagger from President Zuma. | Most revealing was that this year there was no giggling or swagger from President Zuma. |
| Zuma can shake off most things, but clearly the outrage over his shock firing of his finance minister and the walloping he received in the constitutional court over his use of state funds to pay for his opulent home have made an impact. | Zuma can shake off most things, but clearly the outrage over his shock firing of his finance minister and the walloping he received in the constitutional court over his use of state funds to pay for his opulent home have made an impact. |
| He cannot laugh it all off any more. | He cannot laugh it all off any more. |
| The extraordinary security operation was due to the populist Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) threat to interrupt proceedings, while various protests marched through Cape Town city centre. | The extraordinary security operation was due to the populist Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) threat to interrupt proceedings, while various protests marched through Cape Town city centre. |
| When the EFF delegates filed into the National Assembly building singing loudly, it looked like they might keep at it until they got thrown out. | When the EFF delegates filed into the National Assembly building singing loudly, it looked like they might keep at it until they got thrown out. |
| But when the judiciary filed into the house, led by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, Malema held up one hand and his members immediately fell silent. They joined the standing ovation for the judges, signalling that it was only them whom they respect. | But when the judiciary filed into the house, led by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, Malema held up one hand and his members immediately fell silent. They joined the standing ovation for the judges, signalling that it was only them whom they respect. |
| Zuma eventually made it up to the podium but was interrupted several times, with the EFF contingent successfully delaying proceedings for an hour and finally walking out mid-way. | Zuma eventually made it up to the podium but was interrupted several times, with the EFF contingent successfully delaying proceedings for an hour and finally walking out mid-way. |
| Outside parliament, EFF leader Julius Malema told reporters that his party would not “over-glorify the Sona [state of the nation address]” and would continue to exercise their right to speak at any time. Translation: they would continue tormenting Zuma at his every appearance in parliament. | Outside parliament, EFF leader Julius Malema told reporters that his party would not “over-glorify the Sona [state of the nation address]” and would continue to exercise their right to speak at any time. Translation: they would continue tormenting Zuma at his every appearance in parliament. |
| Appeasement | Appeasement |
| But the EFF didn’t need to harass and interrupt Zuma to diminish him. The president has already done that himself by firing former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene – and with his spectacular climbdown at the constitutional court over the 60m rand [£2.7m] upgrades to his private home reportedly paid for by South African taxpayers. | But the EFF didn’t need to harass and interrupt Zuma to diminish him. The president has already done that himself by firing former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene – and with his spectacular climbdown at the constitutional court over the 60m rand [£2.7m] upgrades to his private home reportedly paid for by South African taxpayers. |
| Over the course of his speech he placated his detractors, promising that he had met with various business leaders and was “taking action” to address concerns over the country’s economy. | Over the course of his speech he placated his detractors, promising that he had met with various business leaders and was “taking action” to address concerns over the country’s economy. |
| Zuma also said he had taken on board the treasury’s repeated appeals for cost containment in government, annoucing that overseas trips would be curtailed, the size of delegations would be “greatly reduced and standardised”, and further restrictions on conferences, catering, entertainment and social functions would be instituted. | Zuma also said he had taken on board the treasury’s repeated appeals for cost containment in government, annoucing that overseas trips would be curtailed, the size of delegations would be “greatly reduced and standardised”, and further restrictions on conferences, catering, entertainment and social functions would be instituted. |
| Budget vote dinners, which see government departments wining and dining their constituencies at state expense, have been scrapped. Zuma said his new finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, would announce more austerity measures in the budget within two weeks. | Budget vote dinners, which see government departments wining and dining their constituencies at state expense, have been scrapped. Zuma said his new finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, would announce more austerity measures in the budget within two weeks. |
| This financial clampdown was also evident in Zuma’s declaration that while the country’s controversial nuclear expansion programme would go ahead, South Africa will “ only procure nuclear on a scale and pace that our country can afford.” | This financial clampdown was also evident in Zuma’s declaration that while the country’s controversial nuclear expansion programme would go ahead, South Africa will “ only procure nuclear on a scale and pace that our country can afford.” |
| ‘Mutterings’ | ‘Mutterings’ |
| After years of existing in a bubble, Zuma’s disconnection with the society he leads has hit him hard. He walked into the National Assembly with a crisis of credibility and as a compromised leader. At several times during the EFF’s interruptions, he looked grim and wounded. | After years of existing in a bubble, Zuma’s disconnection with the society he leads has hit him hard. He walked into the National Assembly with a crisis of credibility and as a compromised leader. At several times during the EFF’s interruptions, he looked grim and wounded. |
| It was also greatly revealing that the ANC did not indulge in the usual sycophancy this year. Applause was muted and expressions were dour. | It was also greatly revealing that the ANC did not indulge in the usual sycophancy this year. Applause was muted and expressions were dour. |
| “Mutterings” about Zuma’s leadership was also building in the ANC, party members said. It is perhaps these noises that Zuma had heard loudest in the run up to the address, and it’s these that that worry him the most. | “Mutterings” about Zuma’s leadership was also building in the ANC, party members said. It is perhaps these noises that Zuma had heard loudest in the run up to the address, and it’s these that that worry him the most. |
| The #SONA2016 by no means made up for the myriad mistakes Zuma has committed, but clearly he has received a few wake up calls of late. | The #SONA2016 by no means made up for the myriad mistakes Zuma has committed, but clearly he has received a few wake up calls of late. |
| But whether these can invoke a turnaround in his disastrous presidency is doubtful. The sound Zuma really needs to hear is growing cacophony inside the ANC and among ordinary people telling him to go. | But whether these can invoke a turnaround in his disastrous presidency is doubtful. The sound Zuma really needs to hear is growing cacophony inside the ANC and among ordinary people telling him to go. |
| A version of this article first appeared on the Daily Maverick | A version of this article first appeared on the Daily Maverick |