Why Mbeki's yes-men say no to Zuma

Kader Asmal resigned as an ANC member of parliament when it became plain to all of us that the ANC and the country were going to be led by a person who had never been to school, the son of a domestic worker, nogal. The MA graduate in economics (Sussex my boy) had been out-witted and cast aside. Our future president was going to be a man who saw nothing wrong in appearing in public wearing leopard skins, wielding a cowhide shield and a stick!

Some of us who remembered that the first president of the African National Congress was a Ph.D graduate and that he was followed by other doctors like Moroka etc. felt betrayed. The ANC never stated it as policy, but it had become ‘traditional' that any leader of the ANC would be a graduate. The educated classes, (lawyers and clergymen) had become the accepted leaders of the African National Congress.

It must be remembered that a lot of us in the ANC come from the educated and even monied middle-class, products of mission schools and universities, and that we possess a very deep-seated prejudice in favour of the middle-class. The Oliver Tambos and Nelson Mandelas were barristers, not herd boys from the rural areas who come from working-class homes.

The great Professor Asmal was outraged! He has spent most of his time in the hallowed halls of overseas universities and law courts, and he had made a significant contribution in the crafting of the South African Constitution. He had been Minister of Education, one of these ANC pundits who have made a hash of our education and got away scot-free. A fellow Londoner, Thabo Mbeki had been in charge of affairs in the country until 2008, and now these sans culottes (those without trouserses) had put one of their own in charge of the ANC and national affairs! The professor, along with a lot of us who possess high academic qualifications (Thula Bopela has two MAs!) were outraged. The only way out was to resign from parliament.

Professor Kader Asmal became a member of a group known in the ANC as ‘the walking wounded'. This term refers to ANC leaders who had influential positions during Mbeki's reign, lost these positions after Polokwane, but remained in the ANC. Some of them are very bitter that they lost their power and influence; others would have fled to COPE if COPE had realized its pre-election projections...that they would win 51% of the electoral vote. Some remain in the ANC to do COPE's work among us. How can they be identified?

They were yes-men during Mbeki's reign, questioning nothing, including the expulsion of Jacob Zuma from government. They found their voice when Mbeki was kicked out of power, and are heard only when there is something to say against the ANC government. They are not members of the opposition parties; they are ANC members, and oppose everything the ANC government plans to do. When they are tackled by members of the new government, a great shout of outrage is heard from among the ranks of those who are traditionally anti-ANC. COPE, DA and some self-appointed experts on ANC politics rush to their defence.

President Zuma stated last year that his government would ‘toughen' the police, in order to make them able to cope with the rising tide of crime. Kader Asmal is not ashamed to tell us that he is one of the people who literally tied the hands of the police by giving criminals the edge when confronted with the criminals, in the name of human rights! The laws that were put in place to govern police behaviour in a violent confrontation with criminals placed the police in a seriously tactical disadvantage. It was clear that the laws were crafted by intellectuals, people who knew nothing whatsoever about combat situations.

Kader Asmal is one of those ANC people who left the country and fought Apartheid from university podiums and conference halls. Military activity was OK for the likes of Zuma and other uneducated members of the movement, but they came back to the country to legislate on matters governing armed confrontation. They were bound to create a disaster.

Fikile Mbalula, the Deputy Minister of Police, was targeted by Kader Asmal. The language used against him demonstrated the supreme arrogance of this pundit, and the low opinion he holds regarding Deputy Minister Mbalula. Kader Asmal believes that when he and his ‘London Beat' left government, the level or quality of leadership in the government deteriorated. He was allowed to say that he hoped that when Fikile Mbalula became Secretary-General, he shall have died. Why did Asmal personalize a matter that is in fact government policy, and target Mbalula? Nobody protested.

He said that ‘Mbalula's project would mean that the national police commissioner was going to be generalissimo or Il Duce, a comparison to Benito Mussolini and Generalisssimo Fransisco Franco, Italian and Spanish fascists. Nobody protested.

Paul Trewhela, a journalist says: ‘Asmal's concern here is clearly that he believes government in South Africa is drifting towards a more despotic form of rule. He could not have been more plain.' He accuses the ANC government of failing political memory, showing signs of re-establishing apartheid-era security organisations (see here).

This, coming from an ANC NEC member! He compares Minister Cwele's department to the Bureau of State Security, BOSS. In plain terms, Kader Asmal believes that there is no difference, ideologically, between Zuma's ministers and Apartheid-era security agents. One wonders why he still calls himself an ANC member. Still, nobody protested or called him to order. Then Mbalula hit back, and then the deluge came down! Kader Asmal was suddenly surrounded by a thick cloud of defenders, using everything from age to the fact that he is a former minister, to make Mbalula look like a brute. Trewhela of course puts in his side show about Abahlali baseMjondolo that he manages to pull into this episode, to reach his jaundiced conclusions.

What I cannot understand (maybe I do) is why an ANC NEC member went to the Mail & Guardian to express his concerns about trends he thinks are worrisome in his own organisation. Who is he addressing? Who is his audience? To what gallery is he playing to? He is joining a growing group of former UDF/ANC leaders who distinguish themselves these days by grabbing every opportunity to show how ‘liberal' they are. Bishop Tutu does not miss an opportunity of supporting anything that puts him on a ‘Christian, reconciliatory and forgiving' pedestal. He wasted no time expressing support for Jansen, the UFS professor who forgave white racists who did not apologize, without considering the feelings of the actual victims. That is how these black ‘leaders' get invited to these platforms where they address racists in our name, moderate black leaders!

What these ‘enlightened' blacks like Asmal overlook is that Zuma's government is talking here about how to empower the police to deal effectively with vicious, murderous criminals. People like Asmal will tell you that we should always bear in mind that criminals have rights! Maybe they do, but Asmal et al forget to tell us what rights policemen have. The government is attacked from all sides because of high crime statistics, and when it tries to get its act together, Professors of law talk about Il Duces and Generalissimos. COPE, DA and other hangers-on like Trewhela applaud. When they are told to find themselves a cemetery of their choice and kick the bucket there, the remarks are made to sound like blasphemy.

We identify performers by noticing who applauds their performance.

Thula Bopela, aka John Drinkwater, is a security guard at Parliament, and writes in his personal capacity.

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Why Mbeki's yes-men say no to Zuma Waste of time article - I'm not sure exactly what u r trying to put across here. Please guard the Parliament. by RK on November 04 2009, 12:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The New Praise Singers are the new denialists I find it P******* for Thula Bopela to sing the same tune he has been singing since it became apparent that Jacob Zuma would win the succession debate within the ANC. That of venting his anger and frustration at so called ANC comrades such as Prof. Asmal . .more and though he says it not in this article Billy Masethla and others who left the ANC to join COPE. . .less by Inkosi on November 04 2009, 12:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The New Praise Singers are the new denialists (continued) I have read Mr Bopela's biography and his time in MK should be aknowldged as should the contributions made by other South Africans who either were in London, or even those who had to bear the brunt of apartheit locally and members of other parts of the . .more liberation struggle, AZAPO, PAC and yes the UDF. I have read many a column written by Mr Bopela, especially his contibutions on the www.friendsofjz.co.za and many are tilted one side in expressing praise for Jacob Zuma and the current ANC leadership, while speeking unfailry ill and incorrectly of the previous ANC leadership and cabinet. I am happy to label Mr Bopela as a denialist as he seems to want to personalise comments made by the likes of Prof Asmal and others, without honestly engaging the substance of what they are referring to, especially in light of events that have unfolded over the last couple of days; The ANCYL response to Matheew Phosa; the ANCYL demand for R 1 billion; and others. Mr Bopela yes the uneducated mass . .less by inkosi on November 04 2009, 12:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

In summation The ANC are a bunch of politically confused bunnies who are all squabbling amongst each other and scrambling for power because that is where the really big feeding troughs can be found. All morality has gone from the ANC. Today ANC politics is . .more only about the money. And the stupid have discovered that being a bit dim no longer prevents you from getting some of this ANC power ... in fact it is almost encouraged. And so the mindless internal power games amongst the rabble, once known as the ANC, continues unabated. . .less by Sad days on November 04 2009, 12:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The New Praise Singers are the new denialists (continued) have taken over the Union Buildings as per your words, and more and more each day we begin to understand that while education alone is the magic leadership ingredient, we are beginning to see its importance and also to respect that unspoken tradition of . .more ANC leaders coming from an educated class. It is a level of education that Africa needs, that will allow us to solve problems, be imaginative, creative and productive and not forver remain oppressed especially in our minds to a degree that presidents of youth organisations harp on endlessly aboyut nationalisation, and demands of R 1 billion rands from treasury, but lack any form of commercial enterprise to craate wealth and jobs! Despite Mr Bopela's views an educated leadership remains vital especially in a space where young children see uneducated leaders and question why they should seek to be educated if uneducated leaders at youth and national level can ascend to the highest level of leadership! . .less by Inkosi on November 04 2009, 12:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

What about Zuma? Thula may have forgotten that even Zuma himself was a mbeki yes man, he never questioned Mbeki for his views on AIDS, he defended mbeki for the period he was his deputy. zuma only found his voice when he was fired. by mpokozo on November 04 2009, 13:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Well said - well thought article Man - we need more of this! by JK on November 04 2009, 13:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

White is not pure @ Inkosi, Africa is rotten and impoverished today because of the very same educated but stupid leaders who don't listen to advice nor criticism. Look at Robert Mugabe, he has 7 degrees but he has run the country to the ground. Atleast with Zuma being self . .more taught (I wouldn't call him uneducated) he is prepared to learn and to open debate (certainly tolerates dissent). Zuma will go on to become the best president in the history of this country, far surpassing the Boere idiots (the likes of Verwoed, Botha, de klerk at al) who have ever presided over this country. This brings me to another myth which says that White is pure and incorrigible or that Whites make the best leaders. The world is falling apart today because of the same White leaders therefore Whites can't be said to be smart, clever or whatever fancy word you prefer to describe intelluctual prowess (or should I say lack thereof which is more fitting). Those who lecture about Whites being superior and how things were better under their rule had better read this posting because it nullifies it . .less by Realist on November 04 2009, 14:04 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Good point Another typical ANC article that attacks the man rather than trying to find an argument against his ideas. It does, however, lead to one important point... if there are so many people within the ANC that are not happy with the way the organisation is . .more going, why are they still there? Either they believe that they can force change from the inside - dream on - or they realise that to do so would be to hop off the gravy train. If more people had the courage to leave and join an organisation like COPE, or any other opposition party for that matter, we may just have been closer to having a real democracy rather than a de facto one party state. . .less by Wiseman on November 04 2009, 14:12 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ Realist Post under your own name, not mine you P******* plonker. Especially when you post drivel like this. by Realist on November 04 2009, 15:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

What a nonsensical article What a nonsensical article, you have waisted space and time writing this. First who said Zuma's education is/was the issue with him becoming a president? No one. Who said there's is a problem with Zuma wearing traditional clothes? No one. Mbeki as . .more president has worn his traditional beads and ate meat cooked on fire with the elderes of his village, no one had a problem. . .less by Lucky Luke on November 04 2009, 16:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The White Left is the real skunk in the damage done to SA. Realists, It is of course only the WHITE LEFT who claims to be superior to everybody else. They claim a superior morality, claim a better understanding of reality, claim to be able to point towards a better future, make incredible claims about . .more being better educated, assure us in baritone voices that they are smart and infallible intellectuals, and overall have a superior humanity which will save the rest of us from our mean degraded existences and moralities unto a higher plane of consciousness. That, in a nut shell, is the WHITE LEFT for you. They are the Joe Slovo's, the Black Sash Ladies, the Anglican Communion, the Trevor Huddleston's, the Alan Paton's, and all other members of the Western Left who have set out to save us from ourselves. But I believe their intellectual prowess have been vastly overstated. They fail to realise that they are Utopians who have led countless societies, the latest being South Africa, to their doom. They are blind to the casualties and destruction they leave in their wake, to the Frankenstein Monsters they carefully construct in the name of Science and Reason, only to unleash it onto innocents who must deal with the destruction. It is wrong to blame the ANC for the ills of South Africa. The damage they cause is really due to the true Monster who unleashed them: The SAcan White Left . .less by JVR on November 04 2009, 18:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Typical African Syndrome Big Man Cult S**T logic by bewitched zombie ! Proves theory of "you can take a turkey out of the bush..." Back to loin cloths citizens - ACT now to stop this idiocy ! by old, female, paleface on November 05 2009, 06:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Why Mbeki's yes-men say no to Zuma Thula remember that Zuma was also a Mbeki 's yes men. He is no different to other yes -men. It is also surprising that you justified Mbalula's insult of Prof Asmal. So far you are the only Black intellectual (if you are one) who thinks like that. It is . .more anti African for any young person to throw insults to an elder, even if that young person happens to be a police deputy Minister. You cannot find any justification to that. I so wish that Mbalula may live long enough to experience his own grandchildren calling him a "raving lunatic' . If the ANC cannot put an end to this childish name calling this is going to bite back. . .less by Mgababa Mngxekeza on November 05 2009, 07:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Thula Bopela's articles I enjoy reading your articles Cde. U made me and most readers aware that u are an informed thinker and not a puppet and loyal subject to untrue leaders of the modern world desperate to serve their own interest. The dumbest people are the critiques that . .more dont engage in dialoque, but preferring to undermined your political acumen. Keep on writting these articles, they are mind stimulating . .less by Reginald Matsuka on November 05 2009, 08:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bitter Bopela Mr 2 x MA's you are as bitter as your so called walking wounded. Mgababa is right there could never been a "yes man like Zuma" during his time in Parliament. So stop puffing rubbish. I think the aim of your senseless article was to inform the public that . .more you are from an affluent family with two MA's. What a nonesense. You are suffering from a very deep sense of insecurity Mr 2 x MA's - looks like you lack recognition and now you are demanding it. Poor brainer. I read your article halfe way and felt that I should not waste my eyes looking at a bunch of meaningless words put together to form a bunch of poorly researched propaganda. Go and fool other fools Mr Graduate. What a cheap backward advert of yourself.. . .less by Mfetu on November 05 2009, 08:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Ironic indeed Isn't it ironic that Thula doesn't mind the character assasination and personal insults hurled at Asmal, but feels offended by apparent insults hurled at Mbalula. He makes no apologies for the disgusting vitriol dished out to Asmal, but is greatly . .more irritated by Asmal's reference to hoping not to be around when Mbalula becomes ANC Secretary General. I don't see any personal insult in that - I think he states his reasoning quite clearly. Perhaps its because he is educated that he can ration reaonably and coherently. Moral of the story - I can insult you freely, but don't you dare try the same on me!!! . .less by greykie on November 05 2009, 09:01 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Hitler Rather be governed by the educated than the uneducated......the uneducated mob is dangerous. by Molly on November 05 2009, 09:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@JVR Shame, you still live in the past would have made a good SS man. by Rooinek on November 05 2009, 09:19 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Why Mbeki's yes-men say no to Zuma thula must stick to hi day job.............be a security guard ...period by jerry on November 05 2009, 09:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

On the ball Cde Thula is on the ball on this one. What is conveniently forgotten is that Kader Asmal started this insult-throwing when he attacked Cde Jeff Radebe and Cde Mbalula. But of course, all this is conveniently forgotten. Just as Zille started it all . .more after the elections when she insulted the President of the Republic. . .less by Vusi on November 05 2009, 09:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cope-DA-Tutu drivelist Spot on article, then let the cope-da and tutu drivelist take the podium! by Mdu on November 05 2009, 11:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Yes Men Thanks comrade other people have conveniently forgotten that Asmal started the whole thing. Now, it is like he is being attacked. This is lies!! by Andile on November 05 2009, 11:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Why Mbeki's yes man say no to Zuma Boring,Boring......move with the time.something new please by Nkiwe on November 05 2009, 12:01 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Thula Bophela The Mbekites, liberals, outright racists and quasi intellectuals found here do not cease to amaze me. It's either they are outright idiots or suffer selective amnesia. They were were fine and quiet when Prof Asmal belittled Cdes Jeff and . .more Mbalula and wishing for his own death, but we are suddenly reminded of culture and tradition when he gets the same response from MKMVA and Mbalula himself. The old man started this slanging match more so with people who he could easly reached within the ANC NEC if he had concerns. He wanted to play to the gallery against his own Comrades.I have no sympathy for the likes of Prof. Asmal more so if they behave in a manner he did towards Jeff Hadebe and Mablula or any other person Lastly, people cannot disrespect other poeple and expect to be treated with kid-glove in return. Age is also cannot be used as defence to undermine others no matter how old you are. My father taught me that respect begets respect and in this case Prof. Asmal failed the adage. He courted troble and should have known what response he would get. . .less by Njabuliso on November 05 2009, 13:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

What the Fak,,,, Thula is not a secuirty guard. Where does he have time and resources to write this bullshit? He does have logic, but a twisted one that is even up-side down to the truth. He is actually a konfused ANC member if not a wounded one. Secuirty guards are not . .more stable in their jobs and can be assigned to guard a house of politician or anything anytime and anywhere. What a hell is gonna do if his company assigns him to guard JZ's house??? Is he gonna jump ship??? . .less by Prt Investigator on November 05 2009, 15:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

RK Dumbest of them all If you cant say anything keep quite because you are so boring and counter productive by Themba on November 05 2009, 16:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

REALIST Themba its about time you face Reality....... by wandy on November 05 2009, 18:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Thula Bopaloola It's" trousers", not "trouserses" you bloody ignoramus. Were you a bloody cowherd? by Jeff on November 05 2009, 19:29 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@JVR Helen Susman had a "baritone" voice? Yoh! fella you talk more and more C*** every time you write a post. Black Sash, a bunch of middle class white English speaking ladies brought the mighty Boer Republic to it's knees. You boere must be a weak-kneed . .more lot if that happened, boet. . .less by Jeff on November 05 2009, 19:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Thula Bopela You might be John Drinkwater You might also be a parliamentary security guard although I hope you won't mind me observing that the life of an oxymoron, like that of a Savoyard policeman is not an 'appy one. (Question--- does a parliamentary . .more scurity guard stop inmates from coming out or stop cuckoos from coming in?) Whatever your sensibilities you write a good line . .less by Plutarch on November 05 2009, 22:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

thula bopape one thing i noticed about anc BLIND SURPPOTERS THEY DONT DO THEIR RESERACH ABOUT POLITIC,S/A DEBATE.WE TURNED TO FORGET FREEDOM OF SPEECH THAT SOUTH AFRICA WAS BUILD ON SUCH ISSSUES OF POLITIC,S AND DIFFERENCE IT THAT NOW IT ANC...WHY WHEN ANC TOP BRASS . .more SING THE SONG THAT "THE ANC WILL GOVERN UNTIL JUSUS COME BACK,PLS PEOPLE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH...FRANKLYN MBOKANE,COPE TSHWANE . .less by franklyn mbokane,cope tshwane on November 06 2009, 16:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Spot-on Thula but a small correction Both Mandela and Thambo were never from monied families, is it them who brought about change in the membership of the ANC. As for Kader, let him be the clown for ANC-bashers and keep them amused! by Sibusiso on December 09 2009, 13:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Thula If criminals don't have rights, why then do the ANC give them the right to vote? Is it because our prison population is made up of over 80% ANC supporters. by Koos on December 09 2009, 16:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Thula Jy n sekuriteiswag met twee M.A grade? Jy bedoel seker jy het twee ma's. As jy twee M-grade het hoekom werk jy by die parlement? Spioneer jy vir die ANC? by Piet on December 09 2009, 16:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Asmal The biggest difference between J.Z and T.M is that JZ is not philosophical about delivery but is actually rolloing his sleeves and implementing what the ANC has mandated him to do. It is to be expected that all the prophets of doom who saw the end of the . .more world when he became president to continue with their doomsaying despite being proven thoroughly wrong. Asmal and company are a good example of what the country does not need. He will probably be better off in COPE and indeed he must thank JZ for the opportunity to express his opinions because his own buddy Mbeki shot him down. . .less by CHuma on December 09 2009, 16:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Boring We are tired of this unending celebration, it's time to deal with service delivery protests. or maybe Mbeki is behind the protests as well. Or maybe Mbeki is also responsible for Zuma's addiction to women. or maybe Mbeki is responsible for those 20plus . .more kids. Mbeki this Mbeki that we are tired just do what you are supposed to do. If a person what some recognition in the ANC just say something about Mbeki. come on we are tired of this . .less by David on March 10 2010, 17:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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