Zuma supporters rewarded

I WOULD like to add my two cents' worth to the debate around the composition of Jacob Zuma's cabinet.

To begin with one cannot fail to observe how bloated it is, but it is debatable whether this will translate into better service delivery.

A glance at some of the faces in the newly assembled executive does not inspire confidence at all.

It seems like party political interests usurped those of the country in Zuma's decision making process, otherwise how can one explain the retention of the hopelessly inefficient Nathi Mthethwa and that of his equally incompetent colleagues?

My suspicion is that their Zuluness was their best qualification for their newfound portfolios, their dogged determination to defend the president come what may did not hurt their chances and, true to form, Zuma rewarded them ... handsomely!

Zulu speakers in the 35-member cabinet account for more than 10 positions which give credence to Zuma being a "100% Zulu boy".

Two very powerful positions in the cabinet, that of the minister in the presidency, Jeff Radebe, and the minister of finance, Nhlanhla Nene, are Zulus.

Radebe's appointment seems to me to be more than just minister of planning.

I view it as a strategy to keep tabs on deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa who, if last year's media reports are anything to go by, does not enjoy the complete confidence of the KwaZulu-Natal region of the ANC.

It was reported that KwaZulu-Natal was not certain if Ramaphosa would be able to resist pressure to allow the NPA to institute charges against No1.

Of course others will be quick to dismiss those reports as nothing, if not baseless and sensational, but we will do well to remember that the very arms deal which hangs around Zuma's neck like an albatross was similarly rubbished when it reared its very ugly head!

The other aspect that has escaped many people's attention has been the promotion of rabble-rousers, some of whom also happen to be rookies, at the expense of politicians who, though arguably competent, have no recognisable "base" in that they do not have massive appeal within the party.

This could threaten Zuma's hold on power and ultimately lead to his recall a la Thabo Mbeki.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk and Sibusiso Ndebele come to mind, while the noise-makers are well represented by people like Buti Manamela, Lluwellyn Landers, Mzwandile Masina and Bheki Cele, of course as deputy ministers.

Other appointments were understandably inspired by the need to appease alliance partners, as evidenced by Senzeni Zokwana and Ebrahim Patel, who come from Cosatu, while communists are represented by Nzimande, Rob Davies, Manamela and Jeremy Cronin to mention but a few.

It would seem like Zuma's decision not to re-appoint Paul Mashatile and Dr Gwen Ramokgopa was a bold statement of intent to show who's in charge and to sound a warning to anyone who dares speak out against him and his faction that to do so is to limit one's career growth prospects.

Duplication seems to be the order of the day even in this term for Zuma.

You have five ministries (economic development, planning commission, finance, trade and industry and small business enterprise) that speak to the same thing, to say nothing of telecommunications and communication.

What about higher education and basic education?

One observes that three -isms were at play in Zuma's selection of deployees to cabinet: tribalism, regionalism and factionalism in that order.

In between that he sprinkled a bit of competence (think Aaron Motsoaledi and Pravin Gordhan) and continuity as exemplified by the retention of Lindiwe Sisulu, Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula and Naledi Pandor, among others.

Right at the very end of the list, one suspects, was public interest placed – a sadness!

Lifa Baskiti, Port Elizabeth