Former President Jacob Zuma has voiced his displeasure over the African National Congress (ANC) Top 6’s decision to remove him from office on February 14. 2018, paving the way for Cyril Ramaphosa to ascend to the presidency. Zuma, who has recently vowed to campaign for the newly formed Umkhonto Wesizwe party, expressed his frustration during a rally held in KwaZulu-Natal
Zuma criticized the ANC Top 6 for what he perceives as his premature removal from office. He highlighted the reason given to him for his dismissal, which centered on Ramaphosa’s popularity and his widely recognized catchphrase, “Thuma Mina” (Send Me), which symbolizes his commitment to serving the nation and ushering in a “New Dawn.”
“The ANC Top 6 removed me from office prematurely,” Zuma stated. “When I asked them why I was being removed, I was told that Cyril Ramaphosa is loved by everybody, and they love his catchphrase Thuma Mina and the New Dawn.”
Zuma contends that Ramaphosa lacks political acumen and does not possess the depth of experience that comes from being part of the liberation struggle. In a direct critique of his successor, Zuma said, “I still wanted to do so much to improve your lives. I told them that placing Cyril Ramaphosa as President would be a mistake since he doesn’t understand politics and has never been in the struggle.”
The rally in Umlazi served as a platform for Zuma to announce his unwavering support for the newly formed Umkhonto Wesizwe party. The name of the party, which means “Spear of the Nation,” harkens back to the ANC’s military wing that fought against apartheid.
The ANC Top 6’s decision to replace Jacob Zuma with Cyril Ramaphosa as President in 2018 was seen as a watershed moment for the party. Ramaphosa has since spearheaded efforts to address corruption and revive the struggling economy, emphasizing the importance of unity within the party.
However, Zuma’s lingering dissatisfaction and his apparent determination to rally support for Umkhonto Wesizwe could potentially complicate matters for the ruling party.
