How Jacob Zuma Stole South Africa And How The People Fought Back

South Africa, the southernmost country on the African continent, has a tumultuous past that has shaped its present. From apartheid to democracy, the resilient people of South Africa have fought for their rights and freedom. However, one dark chapter in the country's history stands out - the regime of Jacob Zuma, a man who would go on to steal South Africa and its resources.

Jacob Zuma, a charismatic politician, rose to power in 2009 as the President of South Africa. With promises of economic growth and development, Zuma gained the trust of many voters. Little did they know that he would abuse his position for personal gains at the expense of the country and its people.

The Rise of Corruption

As soon as Zuma assumed office, corruption became the norm in South Africa. He appointed his loyalists to key government positions, ensuring that they would protect his interests. State-owned enterprises were infiltrated, and public funds were siphoned off for personal use.

Enemy of the People: How Jacob Zuma stole South Africa and how the people fought back

by Adriaan Basson (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1750 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	292 pages

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Zuma and his allies engaged in state capture, a systematic process through which they gained control over key institutions, including law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and the media. With these institutions under their influence, Zuma and his cronies were free to commit any act of corruption without fear of being held accountable.

The consequences of this corruption were devastating for South Africa. The economy slumped, unemployment soared, and poverty levels increased dramatically. Meanwhile, Zuma and his associates amassed enormous wealth, living lavish lifestyles while the people suffered.

The People's Awakening

However, the people of South Africa were not willing to sit idly by and watch their country being plundered. Activists, civil society organizations, and political opponents united to expose the corruption and hold Zuma accountable.

One crucial turning point came in 2016, when investigative journalism revealed the extent of corruption within Zuma's administration. The Gupta family, a wealthy and influential Indian business family, was at the center of these revelations. They had exploited their close ties to Zuma to manipulate government contracts and gain significant economic benefits.

This exposé led to massive public outrage and calls for Zuma's resignation. As their voices grew louder, more and more people stepped forward to share their stories of corruption and injustice. Protests erupted across the country, demanding that Zuma be held accountable for his actions.

The Fall of Jacob Zuma

The pressure on Zuma continued to mount, both from within South Africa and internationally. The courts played a crucial role in this process, challenging Zuma's actions and ordering investigations into his corrupt dealings.

In 2018, facing imminent impeachment and feeling the heat from all sides, Zuma finally resigned as President of South Africa. His departure marked a significant victory for the people, who had tirelessly fought against corruption and injustice.

Since then, South Africa has been on a path of healing and rebuilding. Steps have been taken to eradicate corruption and restore faith in government institutions. The fight for a transparent and accountable democracy continues, but the resilience of the South African people remains unwavering.

The Road Ahead

While Jacob Zuma's reign may be over, the scars of his corruption still linger. Rebuilding a nation takes time, dedication, and the collective effort of all its citizens. South Africa is on that road to recovery, although challenges persist.

It is crucial for the world to recognize the power of the people and their ongoing fight against corruption. South Africa stands as an example of how ordinary citizens can come together, raise their voices, and demand change.

In , the story of Jacob Zuma's theft of South Africa and the subsequent fightback of the people is a tale of resilience and determination. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, ordinary individuals can make a difference and shape the destiny of their nation.

Enemy of the People: How Jacob Zuma stole South Africa and how the people fought back

by Adriaan Basson (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1750 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	292 pages

FREE

Enemy of the People is the first definitive account of Zuma’s catastrophic misrule, offering eyewitness descriptions and cogent analysis of how South Africa was brought to its knees – and how a people fought back.
When Jacob Zuma took over the leadership of the ANC one muggy Polokwane evening in December 2007, he inherited a country where GDP was growing by more than 6% per annum, a party enjoying the support of two-thirds of the electorate, and a unified tripartite alliance. Today, South Africa is caught in the grip of a patronage network, the economy is floundering and the ANC is staring down the barrel of a defeat at the 2019 general elections.

How did we get here?

Zuma first brought to heel his party, Africa’s oldest and most revered liberation movement, subduing and isolating dissidents associated with his predecessor Thabo Mbeki. Then saw the emergence of the tenderpreneur and those attempting to capture the state, as well as a network of family, friends and business associates that has become so deeply embedded that it has, in effect, replaced many parts of government. Zuma opened up the state to industrial-scale levels of corruption, causing irreparable damage to state enterprises, institutions of democracy, and the ANC itself.

But it hasn’t all gone Zuma’s way. Former allies have peeled away. A new era of activism has arisen and outspoken civil servants have stepped forward to join a cross-section of civil society and a robust media. As a divided ANC square off for the elective conference in December, where there is everything to gain or to lose, award-winning journalists Adriaan Basson and Pieter du Toit offer a brilliant and up-to-date account of the Zuma era.