Jacob Zuma's not the Messiah...

The chattering classes have developed a voyeuristic obsession with President Jacob Zuma's sexuality. This raises a prickly old question. To what extent can a country's president reasonably expect the most intimate facts about his or her life to be shielded from public scrutiny and moral judgment?

If Zuma's election to the highest office is anything to go by, it would certainly seem that a majority of South Africans do not consider his private antics a deal breaker. This makes the electorate far more sensible than the chattering classes. While it is certainly reasonable to expect minimal moral decency from our leaders, we also need to tamper our expectations so that we do not inadvertently look to public officials for an excessive amount of moral guidance.

It is difficult to get a grip on what exactly the source of anger and disappointment towards Zuma is. One worry is that he is a hypocrite. He preached safe sex and faithfulness on World Aids Day last year and now it all turns out to have been a case of, "Do as I say, not as I do!"

A different argument is hooked to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Government messaging about HIV/AIDS requires the president to demonstrate the kind of behaviour government would like us all to engage in. That includes not having sexual relationships outside your marriages. And if you must, at least use a condom.

Are these arguments convincing? And how do we assess them in relation to the bigger question of whether or not we should, in the first place, care about the private lives of our leaders?

Setting aside the soundness of these arguments for a minute, it is worth speculating about the motivation behind their advancement. It is far from obvious that critics advance them with a sincere interest in political morality. In his most recent book, The Democratic Moment, Xolela Mangcu rehearses an argument he has made elsewhere. Mangcu argues that an important driver of the elite's dislike of Zuma is something of a cultural aesthetic objection to Zuma. It is generally preferable for the soundness of arguments to be logically assessed rather than the motivations of the objector being questioned. However, Mangcu may be onto something in his pop psychologising about Zuma's detractors.

Here is why. When pressed, many people - analysts, journalists, politicians, academics and the chattering classes included - are unable to articulate cogent objections to Zuma's moral shortcomings. And even when some of the objections demonstrably run out of steam, opposition often persists. This lends credence to the pop diagnosis that all this has actually little to do with Zuma. It says more about the distance between what Zuma represents and how some of us define ourselves.

If I define myself as a liberal individualist, speaking the Queen's English, brag about being highly educated and enjoy cocktails around northern Johannesburg, I do not want my cultural landscape to be spoilt by a cheating polygamist in traditional garb at the dinner table next to mine. But notice that, secretly, I am less offended by the immorality of the cheater's lifestyle or his ignorance about substantive gender equality than I am offended by the mere sight of him. He becomes as unwelcome in my worldview as the beggar at the street corner.

It is, at the heart of it, an aesthetic objection and not a principled one. This is the emotional fuel that sustains the arguments against Zuma's infidelity. The actual soundness of some of those arguments is a convenient reality. The cogency of the arguments masks a mischievous elitism. This is why the so-called masses are less fazed about Zuma's existence than the rest of us. They do not share enough of the wealth and elitism that we have a hold over to care as deeply about Zuma's moral failings.

This does not mean that the two arguments set out at the beginning are without merit. Hypocrisy in a leader is certainly not desirable. It is inimical to building trust. Equally, being a decent role model is important. We are therefore justified to be collectively disappointed by Zuma. He let us down. The question is how we should respond to this sense of disappointment. And, as a general rule, how much should we care about the private lives of our politicians?

It seems to me that the near hysteria with which some commentators and media analysts have responded to the whole saga is almost as embarrassing as Zuma's indiscretion itself.  Zuma has much more important weaknesses that should give us cause for concern. For example, does he have the capacity to speak confidently to important policy questions - foreign policy, climate change, crime, education, health etc.?

Does he have the capacity to strike a balance between his famed penchant for listening and showing clear leadership in relation to tensions within the alliance? Can he put a view of his own - and not one that is handed to him by the African National Congress - on any of the sexy issues of the day, like nationalisation of the mines, for example? I very much doubt Zuma's leadership on these fronts. An assessment of his character in relation to these challenges is much more important than whether or not he is a paragon of moral virtue.

If his bedroom life could shed light on whether he can lead us effectively on these policy fronts, then details about his sexuality would take on more obvious relevance. But they do not. Whether or not Zuma had sex with Sonono Khoza does not tell me whether he has the ability to steer us through a recession. It just tells me that he is a ‘player' like many of us.

And even in relation to HIV/AIDS, it is deeply condescending towards South Africans - including those with less formal education than the rest of us - to think they will emulate Zuma as if he is their God. We do not and should not worship Zuma like a bunch of comical followers in Monty Python's Life of Bryan misjudging who the messiah is.

Ultimately, it is very dangerous to expect too much of our leaders. For one thing, we provide a disincentive for potentially talented young South Africans to enter politics. In this internet age, with information about our lives even more easily accessible than usual, potential public servants would have real reason to fear being embarrassed about their personal failures becoming needless public laundry.

The French model of respecting privacy is much more desirable than, say, the American obsession with every detail of a leader's life. Most importantly, we set ourselves up for unnecessary collective depression if we seriously think we can take our moral cue from political leaders who are no less human and no less fragile than the rest of us.

This is not license to behave hypocritically or to be a poor role model. But it is reason for us to temper our expectations and to guard against the kind of unthinking moral hysteria we are witnessing in the media. Let's render the president a less important figure than he might like to be.  

* McKaiser is an associate at the Centre for the Study of Democracy and a contributing editor of Business Day

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responses to this article

Aesthetics??? Jacob Zuma has proved himself to be a liar, a cheater, corrupt, and unable to control his sexual urges, and Eusebius surmises that people mistrust/dislike him because they are 'aesthetically offended by him?? Sir, your argument suffers from a . .more complete absence of logic. . .less by Saffer on February 07 2010, 12:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

McKaizer Me thinks you misjudge and insult the `chattering classes'. The objection to the president's latest moral indiscretion is very cogent and comparisons with the 2 major accusations, when he was elected to office, are not relevant. The fraud allegations . .more were never taken to court and the rape accusation was legally defended. Compared with the above the latest incident left most of the chattering classes with no doubts about JZs private affairs. It is not illogical to question whether a man who shows so little restraint in his private life is fit to manage the complexities of leading a nation..... . .less by CM on February 07 2010, 14:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jacob Zuma's not the Messiah... When a news medium such as yourselves [PoliticsWeb - Oh! I see from the header y'all part and parcel of the Moneyweb bs and you're merely regurgitating previously published gossip - it figures] caters to the chattering classes... Neva you mind, I see the . .more well has been already adaquately poisoned! . .less by James Mashele on February 07 2010, 15:01 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Eusebius McKaiser so sad sir that you set such a low expectation of a president....cause as presidents go, this fella has a crack in every dimension of his morality, and there is more than one element of this that that is questionable..... by onlooker on February 07 2010, 19:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@D****** Eusebius McKaiser, have reported the above comment by D**** to the webmaster - when he/she wakes, it should be taken off. there is a problem on Moneyweb/Politicsweb with out and out racists. by jeremy gordin on February 08 2010, 06:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Eusebius McKaiser Dear Mr McKaiser, My, my, my but you're so very good at waving red herrings. now aren't you? The undeniable truth of the matter is that we have the right to have certain expectations of our president, and one of those expectations is that he is . .more able to exercise judgement, something that is essential if he is going to run this country successfully. The latest revelation of his sexual misadventures, read with the damaging imbroglio of his rape trial, in which he admitted to having unprotected sex with an HIV positive woman, make it clear that he does not have the judgement of a deceased gnat. It has nothing to do with his preferred mode of dress, his penchant for singing a silly song about his machine gun, or his undignified prancing on any stage that presents itself. And the response of the so-called masses to his latest sexual misadventure - apathetic acceptance, is more an indication of traditionalism (he is the supreme leader and his behaviour can therefore not be questioned), than it is a commentary on the moral perspective of the so-called masses. Try to be honestly direct in your assessments in future, rather than spinning elaborate webs of deception, designed to excuse his inappropriate behaviour while still criticising him for his many shortcomings. . .less by Norman McFarlane on February 08 2010, 06:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

care in the first place for private lifestyle? Mr. Mc Kaiser by raising protest by the chatterbox as you call, disrespectfully, the ppl of South Africa who write their disgust of the present government and this vulgar president in the first place, is an indication to the politicians that on the ground . .more thing are not taken for granted any longer and that they have to take measures. We, the chatterbox expect THAT from you. If leadership expect respect, they have to show in the first place respect by implementing the constitution together with the laws of the country. Up to date the rulers, I cannot call them our government, do not deserve any respect. . .less by fc on February 08 2010, 06:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Tamper?????? Oh, and surely you mean temper, rather than tamper? by @Eusebius McKaiser on February 08 2010, 06:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Moral Zuma A fish rots from the head! by Rov Gallach on February 08 2010, 07:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Repeat sexual offenders Was there not talk of castration for repeat offenders? Maybe Zipper should lead 'from the front' by Zipper Zuma on February 08 2010, 07:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Expectations? He's confirming our expectations. The man is a crook, a philanderer and running our country. He may be a nice friendly chap, but he's not presidential material. The point is that he reduces our standing in the world, unlike Mandela who benefited the whole . .more continent. He's damaging Africa, but you don't care - you'll keep voting him in because the nasty Western-thinking whiteys don't like him. But you hurt yourself to win a point. . .less by Richard on February 08 2010, 07:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Big Men In Africa Daily one sees more similarities between Zuma and Idi Amin and the other "Big Men" of Africa. It is always perilous to put a uneducated man in high office, there are plenty examples of this in our state owned enterprises. The ANC has yet . .more to produce a good leader let alone an excellent one. Both Zuma and the ANC are unfit to govern - check the track record. . .less by GTR on February 08 2010, 08:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Lower your expectations.... Why is it that in Africa, the standard has to be dropped all the time? How about striving for better instead of trying to push the already substandard, mediocre standards even lower. Why is it that people like Zuma and Malema represents the best quality . .more that the ANC can produce? And please, do not use the words Zuma and Messiah in the same article, you clearly dont know the Messiah. . .less by Euroboy on February 08 2010, 08:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Morals? Who are you to sit in judgement on our president? I say let all black men with the high intelligence and giant intellect of our president follow his example, Have sex with lots and lots of different women(some of them HIV infected) and never use a . .more condom. His example is one to be followed by all black men not denigrated by people who do not fully understand the requirements of his culture!! . .less by andrewa on February 08 2010, 08:11 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

not presidential material he never was, and never will be, he's a joke... by zippo on February 08 2010, 08:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Ah but the majority of South Africans would elect a gibbon if they were told to The electoral process in SA is simple - ANC hand out T Shirts and pap across the land whilst making wild promises of delivery and vague accusations against 3rd forces and racist colonialists.Despite near zero delivery over 15 years the purposefully ill . .more educated proletariat proudly place their x next to whoever the ANC has vomited up to be leader. Small matters like dishonesty, incompetence etc are put aside and the people dance and sing until dawn. As long as the leader is a big man of Africa who f#cks anything that moves, has a certain degree of menace and dispenses his largesse wide then he's the daddy (excuse the pun). Then its just a matter of the proletariat moaning and whinging about their lot until the next injection of pap and T shirts. . .less by Swaar on February 08 2010, 08:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Eusebius old chap... please define the "chattering class". I'm guessing you mean "concerned South Africans"? You supercilious f-ck! No wonder Business Day is such a rag by Dave on February 08 2010, 08:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Sperm dispenser Hey Eusebius Mc! Certainly that besides all his other major (terminal) flaws, one expects that a State President should not be seen as just a mobile sperm dispenser. What you say about that? by Injala Apera on February 08 2010, 08:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Sub-standard As with everything else in my beloved RSA, are we to lower our standard of expectation to the lowest common denominator instead of wishing for the very best? I do not believe my standards to be too high, just not easy to meet, for that would . .more require effort and exertion for which there are obviously no words in pedi or zulu or... . .less by aj on February 08 2010, 08:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Chattering classes Who ARE the chattering classes? In the past only Karima Brown ever heard them. Now Eusebius too ... by Anthony on February 08 2010, 08:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Mr McKaiser SA does not have a system where presidents are elected directly - Zuma was not elected by the electorate but "deployed" by the ANC. Also, the issue of what happens in Mr Zuma's bedroom /(s) is of little interest to me - his poor moral judgement and . .more overall understanding of consequence of his behaviour is frightening. Not everything can be swept away with a "I am sorry". Leadership starts at the top and moral rot at the top filters down to all other government structures in the form of corruption, graft, etc. . .less by C-Biscuit on February 08 2010, 08:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jacob Zuma is not the Messiah This may not be relevant to Zuma/Obama but as Armageddon shows a white Messiah, I belive that there is no way that a white person will have the ability to lead the black masses, even the world today is for blacks anything said against a black will be . .more called racist let alone lead them,it will come down to a repeat of colonist so even this letter will be condemned . .less by Madevu on February 08 2010, 08:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Summary JZ is brainless, spineless, but not prickless. by Logic on February 08 2010, 08:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Failed African states He should step down as president, finish en klaar! by Koos on February 08 2010, 08:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Not in SA In a normal democracy, the president would step down under such circumstances. This is not in the nature of the ANC, which casts a blind eye on the numerous failings of its deployees. Greed, corruption, fraud, terror (witness Mpumalanga), and low moral . .more displays all contribute to a feeling of despondency amongst the electorate. SA is not a meritocracy. Why doesn't anything ever seem to get better? Why don't leaders act more responsibly? Ah, because politics here depends largely on the great system of presidential patronage, and more so in this case where tracks need to be covered. I weep for my country. . .less by Jabu on February 08 2010, 08:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

We Deserve Him Anybody who expected Zuma to be more than he is was naive. Frankly we have what we deserve. See http://letterdash.com/g.annandale/zuma-we-deserve-him by Geanann on February 08 2010, 08:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Insulting article with skewed opinions Eusebius m'boy, you seem to be very confused. I have absolutely no expectations from Zuma as I know what kind of person he is and yet I am still disappointed in him. Does that make me one of the "chattering classes"? And does expecting one's "president" . .more do behave in a manner he professes to respect and which he encourages the youth to follow make one a member of the "chattering classes"? And your rather smug assertion "that a majority of South Africans do not consider his private antics a deal breaker" conveniently ignores the fact that they are more concerned with getting "service delivery" from the ruling party than thinking about his burgeoning contribution to our expenses. Are you really that crass or are you blinded by your political leanings? . .less by Renter on February 08 2010, 08:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

eusebius This is real undergraduate stuff . Another BEE appointment fulfilling the Peter Principle ? by witbooi on February 08 2010, 08:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Insulting article with skewed opinions Eusebius m'boy, you seem to be very confused. I have absolutely no expectations from Zuma as I know what kind of person he is and yet I am still disappointed in him. Does that make me one of the "chattering classes"? And does expecting one's "president" . .more do behave in a manner he professes to respect and which he encourages the youth to follow make one a member of the "chattering classes"? And your rather smug assertion "that a majority of South Africans do not consider his private antics a deal breaker" conveniently ignores the fact that they are more concerned with getting "service delivery" from the ruling party than thinking about his burgeoning contribution to our expenses. Are you really that crass or are you blinded by your political leanings? . .less by Renter on February 08 2010, 08:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Insulting article with skewed opinions Eusebius m'boy, you seem to be very confused. I have absolutely no expectations from Zuma as I know what kind of person he is and yet I am still disappointed in him. Does that make me one of the "chattering classes"? And does expecting one's "president" . .more do behave in a manner he professes to respect and which he encourages the youth to follow make one a member of the "chattering classes"? And your rather smug assertion "that a majority of South Africans do not consider his private antics a deal breaker" conveniently ignores the fact that they are more concerned with getting "service delivery" from the ruling party than thinking about his burgeoning contribution to our expenses. Are you really that crass or are you blinded by your political leanings? . .less by Renter on February 08 2010, 08:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Insulting article with skewed opinions Eusebius m'boy, you seem to be very confused. I have absolutely no expectations from Zuma as I know what kind of person he is and yet I am still disappointed in him. Does that make me one of the "chattering classes"? And does expecting one's "president" . .more do behave in a manner he professes to respect and which he encourages the youth to follow make one a member of the "chattering classes"? And your rather smug assertion "that a majority of South Africans do not consider his private antics a deal breaker" conveniently ignores the fact that they are more concerned with getting "service delivery" from the ruling party than thinking about his burgeoning contribution to our expenses. Are you really that crass or are you blinded by your political leanings? . .less by Renter on February 08 2010, 08:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A guy who does unprotected sex with a girl he knew had AIDS - that is the best the Blacks can offer? A guy who has had 5 wives. A guy who has had 20 children. A guy who has extra marital sex. A guy who has had at least one illegitimate child. A guy who is still marrying more woman. a guy who has had extra marital unprotected sex with woman about 30 years . .more younger then him. A guy who is 67 years old. A guy who somehow avoided his day in court on fraud and corruption charges. This is the best they can give the country? I suppose the answer is yes it is. Frightening for all South Africans who are not connected to Malema the ANC top brass and Zuma. . .less by Frightening on February 08 2010, 09:04 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

HE'S NOT THE MESSIAH HE'S A VERY NAUGHTY BOY. by naughtius maximus on February 08 2010, 09:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Mr Mr. McKaiser It's got nothing to do with the PP (Prancing P****) President Zuma's sxual behaviour--well, tangentially it has but only in a very minor way. What it really has to do with is the president's ( and all his pals as well) perception that it is cool to . .more lie, dissemble, and cheat. It has everything to do with the fact that these people seem un-embarrassable and are prepared to say anything and do anything even if it involves performing leaps of logical inconsistency. Let's take a look at this "culture" thing which Zuma says is so important and which must be respected and tolerated. it is part of African culture to smell out witches and to kill them in a rather barbaric way. Because this practice is part of their culture is it acceptable? . .less by Plutarch on February 08 2010, 09:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

open letter to Mr Zuma You have admitted to having sex with the daughters of numerous friends of yours. Presumably this is a culture thing. May I ask how many of your friends have had sex with your daughters? by Plutarch (again) on February 08 2010, 09:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

zumi Wonder how much time he spends with each child a week? Some dad!!! by edward on February 08 2010, 09:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

question for Mr. Mckaiser You say that the French model of respecting privacy is better than the American one. ( in my opinion the only reason the French "respect" privacy is because their media is too scared to pursue the truth and hence the privacy is enforced through non . .more publication of the facts) Presumably you hold us all in such deep contempt that you feel it unnecessary to tell us why. You are welcome to hold the opinion of one system being better than another but at least have the self discipline and integrity to motivate your opinion. As a man of self-confessed education you certainly are behaving as a fully paid up member of the chattering classes. Maybe you and Domza share cocktails in the Northern suburbs? Maybe you suit each other. . .less by Cassandra on February 08 2010, 09:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

We told you so! It's a pity the "chattering classes" are not afforded their democratic right to vote in their own choice of Presidential candidate, instead he is foisted upon us buy a rowdy 0.004% of the population. Most intelligent people had serious reservations about . .more the calibre of Zuma long before the time. He had serious allegations hanging over his head which were never tested in court, and were just fobbed off after 100's of millions were spent to keep him out of court. This country is run like a personal Chiefdom and is on the slippery slope. . .less by Airwolf on February 08 2010, 09:29 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

We told you so! It's a pity the "chattering classes" are not afforded their democratic right to vote in their own choice of Presidential candidate, instead he is foisted upon us buy a rowdy 0.004% of the population. Most intelligent people had serious reservations about . .more the calibre of Zuma long before the time. He had serious allegations hanging over his head which were never tested in court, and were just fobbed off after 100's of millions were spent to keep him out of court. This country is run like a personal Chiefdom and is on the slippery slope. . .less by Airwolf on February 08 2010, 09:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

a bad attack of Eusebius ! Is Eusebius not a medical term? It has that ring to it like "pustular" or "phlegm". by Klevabooi on February 08 2010, 09:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mr President Heed the calls from many South Africans who are asking you to step down. We gave you the benefit of the doubt under VERY dubious circumstances when you became president. What have you achieved for SA since your inauguration? Please do the honourable thing. by Jackie on February 08 2010, 10:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Where are our Values? A tragedy in South Africa is that the ANC does not promote a value system, and proper standards. Rather than the culture hypocricy and 'moral hysteria', if political leaders set poor examples, what do we expect of our youth? Cry, our beloved country... by pajick on February 08 2010, 10:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma Total rubbish to suggest that Zulu culture condones this miscreant's conduct.He is unfit to hold office. Look at Chief Buthelezi who is a Zulu Prince,is monogamous and does not sleep around,have corrupt friends and associates with scroundrels such as . .more Schabir Shaikh . .less by former Minister on February 08 2010, 10:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The Messiah is Julius Malema. Jesus was a carpenter. Just look at Julius' woodwork marks. by Bob on February 08 2010, 10:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cultural Compromise ? How about we agree that for every pot hole a politician fixes he can have an affair. For every school he repairs he can have another wife? And for every hospital he builds he can have another child? It would appear as if salaries, perks and access to . .more public funds is not sufficient incentivisation to get the job done? . .less by Carl Wille on February 08 2010, 11:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

None of this matters What really matters is whether they can create conditions condusive to create jobs and bring crime down. If he could do that I dont care if he makes a 1,000 women pregnant during his first term. by Marius on February 08 2010, 11:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Wow, what a name... Eusebius McKaiser... I am actually having trouble believing that's your real name. I have this gently nagging feeling that you think you're having a quiet laugh at us. Taking the p!ss as it were... well, screw you mate and your snotty name. by M on February 08 2010, 11:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Thankfully SA no longer has nukes... Zuma can hardly control his own Weapon of Mass Desctruction by Darren on February 08 2010, 12:11 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Presidential It's very sad, and with the slip of a zip, we are now the butt of even more jokes worldwide. Not great for all the good honest citizens out there trying to talk up our country in such an important time in our history. The President is clearly not . .more setting a precedent for all to follow... . .less by J Mills on February 08 2010, 13:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The problem is NOT Zuma but our desire for Royalty equivalent The Swiss can teach us much. The average Swiss does not know the name of their president. He is just the coordiantor of cantons - a chairman. Many might want to forget the name Zuma and it will be no tradgedy if they do. So far he has just been a good . .more chairman and a poor PR prospect. If you want a leader, royalty or any other one person lightening rod for your desires, find another faith. Zuma is not it. The ordinary man is an ordinary man and quite adept at disappearing into the national wallpaper. . .less by Free the Rest on February 08 2010, 13:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Litter Time would be better spent if we focused on litter and rotting infrastructure,together. by RT on February 08 2010, 13:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The worst of it is... We have 21 (at last count) little JZee's running around costing the taxpaper a fortune. What a shambles! What pisses me off is that every time this (handsome by any other name) leader of the masses drops his zip, our Rand does the same against the . .more Dollar. Not helping my programme to exit this mess. . .less by The Saint on February 08 2010, 13:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

His private life counts immensely. So what if the president became/is a drug addict that falls prey to his suppliers? Then his private life will have led him to be controlled by the drug dealers. In so doing, he will have given OUR country over to control by drug dealers since he'll be at . .more they beck and call. OH, silly me, it would appear that if you look carefully, that is exactly why he was made president - a man on extremely shaky financial grounds, unable to control his sexual urges and hence under the control of those who cheerfully bail him out as long as they get their little cut here and there. That little cut is fast becoming a canyon that will bleed the country to death. So much for "his private life has nothing to do with us". Please give us some of what you've been smoking sir! . .less by Denzil on February 08 2010, 14:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This idiot's article So, Mr McKaiser, you say that: "The masses have no aesthetic objection to Zuma.......this is why the so-called masses are less fazed about Zuma's existence than the rest of us". Actually, they are less fazed because they too behave . .more like him - ie indiscriminate and rampant sex outside marriage, illegitimate babies scattered around the country, and to hell with AIDS because they prefer it bareback. Mbeki's denial that "Blacks are savages in animal skins running around with uncontrollable libidos" got turned upside down by our fat aging Zulu stage artist - our very own Michael Jackson in leopard drag. When I watch those Bonobos in full sexual flight on Animal Planet, hardly finishing the ejaculation before leaping onto the next one, I start to speculate on Charles Darwin and the missing link. . .less by Andy on February 08 2010, 14:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma who ever expected Zuma to be the Messiah? that he is not is evident and anyway not the expectation. if a president of ANY other country had his history i wonder how that would have been judged. by Bono on February 08 2010, 15:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma the Celebrity He's more of a celeb than a president - dipping and wanking all over the place. Least Mbeki, if he had any shenanigans, he was discreet about it. The worrying part is if he gets axed, who steps in? And will Malema try to be the next revolutionary? We live . .more in scary times. The next Zimbabwe perhaps? Put Tokyo in the front -rather a capitalist who is for the country than Malema, a taker from the country. Mugabe junior... . .less by Zu-miffed on February 08 2010, 16:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Who is this chap spinning for ? Do not underestimate the intelligence of the masses Mr Eusebius McKaiser.The tide is turning. Read the signs. They are voiceless because they dare not challenge the "mafia" state. The spinners are spinning themselves into a web.More of the . .more same....self destruction...give it time. (My mentor said give them 50 years, 30 years ago..into referees optional time) Intellectual debate...what is that ? Also you seem to have difficulty in "articulating" your point of view in a manner that even the youth league can understand.Keep it simple ! As for the President. Surplus to our requirements. Go now...go gracefully...before it is too late. Show in the next candidate in please. Hostage citizen in a hostage country. . .less by Nick on February 08 2010, 18:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Racial Quotas If the state [us] is supporting all his wives - should we not be setting racial quotas? Surely the President's wives must represent the demographics of our country? by Carl Wille on February 08 2010, 18:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Enlighten Me ... Can someone please tell me: Is this the AFRICAN RENAISSANCE we have been waiting for for 300 years? by Carl Wille on February 08 2010, 19:12 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

SPEAKING IN TONGUES! THOSE WHO LOVE AND ARE EMPATHETIC TO ZUMA USE CHINESE AS A LANGUAGE THOSE WHO HATE AND ARE ALL OUT TO OBLITERATE ZUMA SPEAK PORTUGUESE -- CLEARLY THERE IS NO COMMON UNDERSTANDING THEREFORE MISUDERSTANDING AND MISCOMMUNICATION RESULTS. ALL IS THEREFOR IN . .more VEIN IT MAY HELP TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT " IT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY AGAIST MINE" THANK YOU NTATE ZUMA FOR THE HONESTY, OPENNESS AND THE APOLOGY . .less by MARUMO on February 08 2010, 21:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Let us stop being hypocrites! I thought you could write a title that reads:Zuma the messiah,Malema the preacher and voters the congregation.Your article is biased bcz you lack the imagination to see the differennce between mediocrity and hypocrisy,who said morality is a constant thing? by Xolile on February 08 2010, 21:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

McKaizer not the Striker Mmmm....Me thinks Mr. Eusebius is getting highly intoxicated by the exuberance of his own verbosity! by Stinky on February 08 2010, 22:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Eusebius McKaiser writes utter nonsene ore tries to fool us. by Klaus in RSA on February 08 2010, 23:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

It concerns us chattering class when We have to foot the bill of his lifestyle in our taxes. I wont have anymore children as I cannot afford to. But I have to have his kids bills added to my taxes? Send him for a public snip or let him pay for his own brood. by Fred on February 09 2010, 08:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Personal Responsibility Great article Eusebius, always thought provoking. As a proud member of the chattering classes I have been battling to understand why I find Zuma's behaviour so disturbing. An objectional cultural aesthetic is as good an answer as any. However, to your . .more list of two arguements I would like to add that of taking personal responsibility. With 20 kids it is impossible for Zuma to invest the time to provide a father figure to each one, so we end up with 20 more kids with no positive male role model. It is also impossible for him to support 20 kids financially, which exposes him to the temptations of Shaik. Fathering kids you can't raise or afford sets a poor example. . .less by Bruski on February 09 2010, 09:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

disgusting old man Zuma There is something I really do not understand. Surely one has sex with someone you find attractive? Someone who turns you on? Even someone you like or love very much...? How is it possible for this very ugly 67 year old, with a head that looks . .more like a P****, to have women who pretend to want him? Is it for them only a way of showing that ANYTHING can have them because they might then be a KEPT woman who never has to work again? I think their morals are lacking as well. The word W**** comes to mind. . .less by John Logan on February 09 2010, 11:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

So step down then Voyeuristic obsession??? Listen, my love, someone this prone to P*******, sad, stupid dimensionless human error has no business trying to be a leader of a country. A leader should naturally be someone who can set a positive example and not a face you want . .more to put on your doormat so you can wipe your feet on it before you walk into your house. He's a laughing stock and an idiot... His appeal always seems to be based on a dance - shame. Can't wait to say "Good Riddance". . .less by Messiah My Foot on February 09 2010, 13:12 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

testing testing... by testing on February 10 2010, 02:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma has failed South Africa especially Natal A student of Town Planning under Mike Sutcliffe. Mec for transport.Premier. Now Minister of transport. The politician that sways with the powerful. How is SA Road link associated with SBU. What happened to the investigations against Sbu Ndebele. Is . .more Zuma protecting him. What are the roads in a mess. Where is the mecedes ? Where is the Farm? Where is all the peoples money going to. Is this man the leader of corruption in KZN. How deep does his hands go? Once public-ally advertised by Sbu Shabalala to have both their sons share the same private school.Wll done to mismanaging Ithala Funds. Millions are missing. Thamks to Mike Mabayakulu for protecting a fraudster. The nephew was alleged in the 6.5 million rand webpage scandal for eThekwini.Covered up by the City Manager. Where is this wasteless webpage. Birds of a feather flock together. Well done Zuma. Lets hear who the benificiaries are from Raymond Alton Transport. Is this the reason why John Mchunu has got the entire ANC PEC by their balls. Has he threatened to spill the beans on the monies received from tenders by the ANC PEC in KZN if anyone troubles his pockets or tenders. Thanks again Zuma . You have let the country down .The devil comes in many forms. ....Again who is Sbu Ndebele and who is protecting this boy. . .less by Ithala on June 10 2010, 12:29 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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