All South Africans shall have equal Rights - Jacob Zuma

- By Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

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South Africa's new President Jacob Zuma on 09 May vowed to follow Nelson Mandela's legacy of reconciliation in an inaugural speech. Affectionately referring to Mandela by his clan name Madiba, Zuma said Mandela made reconciliation the central theme of his term of office. "Thank you Madiba for showing us the way. We will not deviate from that nation building task. The president said Madiba healed South African wounds and established the Rainbow Nation very firmly. "He set us on the path of nation building and prosperity and made us a respected member of the world community of nations," Zuma said. Mandela, according to Zuma, taught the South Africans that all South Africans have equal claim "to this country and that there can be no lasting peace unless all of us, black and white, learned to live together in harmony and in peace."

Pretoria, former name for the nation, was a British colony. Jacob Zuma officially became South Africa's fourth president at about 11:20 on Saturday when he took the oath of office at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Zuma swore to "protect and promote the rights of all South Africans". Zuma said he would let "truth be the dictate of my conscience". "I will devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and its entire people. So help me God," he said, to loud applause. Earlier, Zuma has said he would continue Mbeki's work for peace and economic development across the continent.

The ANC has been making a promise for 15 years improving the lives of the impoverished black majority, but now which will be harder to fulfill amid a worldwide recession. Only Zuma's charisma could be a key asset, inspiring South Africans to bring their expertise to government.. The ANC government has built for poor South Africans two million homes since apartheid ended. When apartheid ended, the ANC estimated it needed to build three million homes. With population growth, migration to the cities and other factors, the housing backlog now stands at more than two million despite the building boom. Zuma promises to speed up delivery of houses, clinics, schools, running water and electricity. But he also has acknowledged the difficulties.

South Africa's economy slipped 1.8% during the last quarter of 2008, and a further decrease in the Gross Domestic Product was expected when the first quarter 2009 figures come in. This nation of about 50 million has seen Western demand plummet for the cars it manufactures and the gold and platinum it mines. According to government figures this week, 208 000 jobs were lost between the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. That means more people in need of government handouts and fewer paying taxes.

Zuma is a populist former union activist whose rise to power was supported by the South African Communist Party, a traditional ANC ally. His Cabinet post announcements will be closely watched, with some counting how many communists he includes. But Finance Minister Trevor Manuel is expected to play a prominent role in Zuma's administration. His free-market policies are credited with increasing economic growth before the global downturn. When it was clear Zuma was on the way to Mahlamba Ndlopfu - "the new dawn," as South Africa's version of the White House is known - the ANC sent its treasurer Mathews Phosa to Europe to assure foreign investors South Africa would "continue on an economic policy path that has rewarded us in the past decade or so."

An Observation

Though it is a former nuclear power and one of most advanced nation in African continent supported by the anti-Islamic West, South Africa is deeply involved in domestic problems plus corruption scandals and has very little time and space for foreign affairs and as such it is not global role-player. Thousands of Zimbabweans have fled their country's economic and political crises. In South Africa, they burden already struggling schools and hospitals. Resentment from South Africans who see the newcomers as competitors for jobs and housing has led to violence. Zuma had criticized Mbeki's "quiet diplomacy," but has softened his tone since that policy led to a deal that in February brought long-time Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe into a unity government alongside rivals he once tried to suppress with violence and vote fraud.

As President, Zuma has become the leader of a country where at least a quarter of the work force is unemployed and millions are living with HIV/Aids. However, for all the challenges ahead, Zuma says South Africans need only look back for inspiration, while South Africans grasp at Zuma's promises of new hope. He used his political skill to convince the people that the 97-year-old African National Congress, in power since the first all-race elections in 1994, was the party of change. He proudly announced they made history in the world in 1994 when together they discarded our tragic past, and opted for a future of harmony, peace and stability.

The 67-year-old Jacob Zuma was officially elected president by members of parliament last week, after the ANC won the general election two weeks ago. He is due unveil his new cabinet soon.  Zuma has said education and training would be a priority, to help blacks left behind by apartheid catch up. Blade Nzimande, head of the South African Communist Party, could be education minister. Former president Thabo  Mbeki played down the extent of the Aids crisis and questioned the link between HIV and Aids and whether Aids drugs worked. Zuma himself has had to mend fences with Aids activists, after he testified during his 2006 rape trial that he thought he could protect himself from Aids by showering after sex with an HIV-positive woman. He was acquitted of rape. In February 2006, the controversial polygamist was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticized for his comments about sex and HIV/Aids.

Jacob Zuma's journey to the Union Buildings has been an epic struggle, He was sacked as vice-president by Thabo Mbeki four years ago after being implicated in a corruption scandal - allegations Zuma always denied. The case was eventually thrown out amid evidence of government meddling in the investigation. At the time, few observers believed Zuma could remain a serious contender for president. But he fought to clear his name, retained enormous popularity, especially among his fellow Zulus, and led the ANC to a convincing election victory on a pro-poor populist ticket.

South Africa is one of the most corrupt nations around. Many swear Zuma's presidency could be more positive, although, like Nelson Mandela, he would also promote corruption and in no way arrest the trend by suit measures. Zuma has listed his five priorities as land redistribution, education, health, lowering crime levels and finding decent work for all South Africans. He has promised a more hands-on approach and to work more closely with the opposition. Zuma is expected to bring a populist touch, ensuring a very different presidency to that of his predecessor Thabo Mbeki. South Africa also promotes global corruption by hosting the farcical Indian IPL in that country where the India led cricket world plays not cricket but mischief to the spectators with huge black money playing the dominate role along with the crash cricket mafia and media. India one of the top frauds and state terrorists and South Africa supporting Indian hidden designs speaks volumes about its own record for that. Indian is playing both parliamentary poll and cricket at the same time to support the hidden political agenda.

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Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

Columnist & Independent Researcher in World Affairs, The only Indian to have gone through entire India, a fraud and terror nation, South Asia.