Sunday, February 7, 2010

This is why Jacob Zuma will never be a leading, first world, politician…

On the 8th of May, 2006, Jacob Zuma was acquitted of rape charges. Fezeka Kuzwayo accused him of rape. He openly admitted to the sexual conduct, and claimed that the sex was consensual. The sexual encounter took place at his private residence.

The public was disgusted with Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, he claimed to support the fight against HIV/AIDS and admitted to unprotected sex (and the famous, deep-cleansing, shower)

While Fezeka was young, and voluptuous, many felt that Jacob could have done better

The 1st of February saw the revelation that President Jacob Zuma has fathered a love-child with Sonono Khoza, daughter of Irvin Khoza. I am not sure where conception took place, but I assume it was somewhere comfortable…and private

The public was outraged with this revelation, and Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, the president supports the campaign to eliminate promiscuity

While Jacob Zuma is a charismatic leader and dynamic personality, many felt that Sonono could have done better

Our polygamous president faces yet another sex scandal.

And some people were (surprisingly) surprised.

It took several days, but here is what President Jacob Zuma had to say about the latest ‘affair’:

''I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the alliance and South Africans in general. 'I also acknowledge and understand the reaction of many South Africans.''

In January, 1998, news broke of Bill Clinton’s liaisons with Monica Lewinsky. She claimed that there were 9 encounters. All of them took place in the White House. Most of them in the Oval Office

The news broke on the 17th January 1998. Bill Clinton denied all the allegations, famously saying:

“Now, I have to go back to work on my State of the Union speech. And I worked on it until pretty late last night. But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you”

Seven months later, on the 17th of August 1998, Bill Clinton finally admitted to the “improper physical relationship” with Monica Lewinsky.

While Monica was an astute, bright woman, many felt that Bill could have done better

American politicians are famous for sex scandals and hypocrisy. Some examples:

Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia introduced the ‘Defense of Marriage Act”, only to be photographed licking whipped cream off strippers at his inaugural party.

President Warren G Harding had repeated sexual encounters with a woman 30 years his junior – in a White House closet. He also fathered a child with her

Senator Strom Thurmond supported segregation and opposed civil right, but still got his 16 year old African American maid pregnant. He ran for president in 1948, and was a senator for 47 years.

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s Prime Minister, has been accused of ‘gallivanting’ with young women, including a teenager. Photographs of parties at his villa include pictures of nude women.

Berlusconi has remained defiant. In June 2009, he told Italians (and the world):

“This is how I am. I’m not going to change a thing. If they like me this way, they like me this way.”

Berlusconi’s female companions are mostly young, attractive women, including models. Many feel that Sergio Berlusconi has done very well

In addition to the United States, and Italy, Australia has also had its share of sex scandals. Just last year, in Australia, South Australian Premier Mike Rann was accused of having sex with a former Parliament House barmaid – on his Parliament House desk.

Many South Africans are appalled at Jacob Zuma's behaviour. And they should be.

But, many South Africans also use Jacob Zuma's bahaviour to legitimise their lack of faith in South Africa, in general, and his presidency, in particular.

I feel that Jacob Zuma should deny the allegations (at least for a few days).

I believe Jacob Zuma should lie about the sexual misconduct (at least for seven months).

I advise that Jacob Zuma conducts his lascivious behaviour in the hallways of the Union Buildings, on the desk of his Presdential Office, on the Tuinhuis kitchen floor

Perhaps then, he would be viewed as a worthy, first-world politician.

And perhaps then, the doomsdayer South African public and the naysayer South African media would give him a break

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