So…. JZ’s our president after a particularly (I think it’s safe to say) controversial  rise to power. I mean, how many guys do YOU know can get kicked out of office as the deputy president, ALMOST stand trial for all kinds of debauchery and treachery, be accused of rape somewhere between all of THAT, AND STILL emerge smiling as the president of the country???? Big up Msholozi! This guys obviously got the drive and determination that so many of us lack. Talk about rising from the ashes.

So where to now for the South African’s that DIDN’T believe???? I’ll be the first to admit that I DID NOT vote for the ANC  (I went for COPE) and I certainly didn’t (and still don’t) agree with some of Msholozi’s deeds of the past – yes, I AM a fickle friend of the ANC I suppose but at least I’m big enough to admit it.
I’ll even be ballsy enough to say that I haven’t changed my views about many things when it comes to the ANC, but dare I say that I think that MAY just change…Jacob Zuma’s ascended into the presidency knowing full well that those opposed to him and his presidency are watching him like hawks and waiting for him to mess up. For THAT reason, I think he’ll bend over backwards to make a difference and to shut all the critics and those who DIDN’T vote for him (myself included) up.
Call me a sell-out if you want to (my apologies to COPE and Rev. Dandala), but the man IS in power now, and I think it’s something to be excited about.

As for the DA…well, I like Helen Zille, no really – I do. Lol, this lady has a voicemail message thats in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa… she’s certainly got character and can create quite a stir if she so pleases. That aside though, she would make a great leader (I think), but I JUST don’t think the world is ready for female power (bar the 1 or 2 small countries who’s names escape me now that have women presidents)….I mean, if a super power like America is only ushering a black president in now, I think we’re ALL going to have to wait a while before taking the next step of having a female president, yes???
And then there’s COPE. Oh, my dear beloved COPE… Well, I think they did bloomin’ well for a party that’s only been around for 200-odd days, but lets face it…we all knew they wouldn’t win but at least now they’ve managed to establish themselves and a 3-million strong support base. And with the whole election pressure off of them, they can at least focus on what THEY actually stand for and NOT on slandering the ANC and Jacob. Maybe I’ll see you at the polls again next time chaps.

I guess what I’m trying to get at here is…well… If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. NO, I’m not saying we should all band together outside of Luthuli House and sing Mshini Wam’ at the top of or voices, but let’s all work TOGETHER to make this whole democracy business work. Ultimately, we all want the same thing don’t we? We all love our country, don’t we? So…lets just help make it as great as it can be, even if it IS under the guidance of a president who dances during press-conferences. Maybe we could even learn a few moves along the way????

Just MY opinion though, what’s yours?

- by Portia Palesa Rantsho