Zuma’s silent ousting marks a significant turning point in SA politics, particularly in KZN

Politics is an unforgiving playground. Jacob Zuma had barely logged on to his virtual disciplinary in front of ANC grandees when innuendo about the apparent discrepancies in his Struggle record started to fly thick and fast on social media. More slaughtering of holy cows would follow.

Just hours before the announcement of his expulsion from the ANC, The Showerhead documentary cataloguing the cartoons of one of his arch-nemeses, Zapiro, premiered at the Durban International Film Festival. It is a scathing commentary on the most Teflon-coated politician in South African politics.  

Editors and analysts from Mondli Makhanya to Anton Harber reflected on the dark days of the Zuma presidency when he limply threatened to sue the cartoonist for defamation, but gave in when Zapiro challenged him to take the matter to court.

He baulked again before the ANC’s disciplinary committee when it threw out his demand to appear in person because he wanted to look his prosecutors in the eye.

There is little doubt that Zuma remains a significant figure in South African politics despite the series of controversies throughout his career. His expulsion from the ANC hardly sent a ripple through the political landscape, particularly in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. His MK party expressed the stock response of shock and dismay, but said little else.

Perhaps there are too many other fires to put out on the home front. It is now common knowledge that the engine room of the party is in disarray. Handpicked secretary-general Arthur Zwane was in, then out and now he appears out again.

There is palpable relief at Luthuli House. Zuma’s expulsion represents a significant move to distance the ANC from his controversial legacy and to restore its image amid widespread public dissatisfaction.

KwaZulu-Natal has long been a bastion of support for Zuma, with many seeing him as a champion of the Zulu people and a defender of their interests within the broader national framework. His supporters perceive his removal from the ANC as some kind of betrayal by his comrades. Among the members of the disciplinary committee is Faith Muthambi, whom Zuma promoted to the Cabinet well beyond her station in both party rank and personal capacity.

One can safely assume that Zuma’s expulsion has not dimmed his political influence. Instead, it has propelled the MK party among its supporters after its strong showing in the May elections.

This underscores the deep-seated loyalty that Zuma commands among his followers.

The rise of the MK party has challenged the ANC’s dominance in the region, effecting a realignment of political allegiances that will be hard to break.

Zuma’s detractors are hard at work. As Zuma reasserts his presence through MK, scrutiny of his record in prison and exile has resurfaced. Allegations and suspicions have emerged, particularly on social media, suggesting that Zuma’s contributions during the anti-apartheid Struggle may not have been as exemplary as previously believed.

There are whispers of distrust from ANC president Oliver Tambo, which, if substantiated, could complicate Zuma’s legacy further.

These innuendos, whether they are grounded in fact or mere speculation, add a layer of intrigue to Zuma’s narrative. They also reflect the broader tensions in the ANC regarding the portrayal and preservation of its historical legacy.

As these exchanges unfold, they may influence the public perception of Zuma and have an impact on the broader discourse on South Africa’s Struggle history.

There can be no illusion that Zuma’s expulsion from the ANC marks a significant turning point in South African politics, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. The rise of the MK party underscores his enduring influence and reconfiguration of political power in the province. Simultaneously, the re-examination of Zuma’s historical record adds uncomfortable spice to his legacy, highlighting the continuing struggles in the ANC to reconcile its past with its future. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.