When politics is sport
Entering the final over of the 2016 World T20 championship match, West Indies (Windies) and English fans were on the edge of their seats. England’s bowlers had done a fantastic job over the previous 19 overs containing Windies batsmen and defending the modest total England posted of 155. In the 20th over the Windies required 19 runs off of 6 balls for victory.
The result could have swung either way, but the odds of a win were in England’s favour. However, the odds of favour do not always reflect the outcome. Carlos Brathwaite, a young Windies batsman, rattled off four straight sixes; in the process he sealed victory for the Windies, as well as caused elation or despondency to simultaneously envelope island residents across the Northern Hemisphere.
South Africa’s battle-tested president, Jacob Zuma, and his adversaries are in the veritable 20th over of a contest with very high stakes. In Mr Zuma’s ascent to the presidency he has managed to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. In the last 10 years, for example, he’s had over 700 corruption charges dropped against him, not because they were without merit but because of alleged political interference involved in the timing of his prosecution. Mr Zuma also was charged with rape. He admitted knowingly having unprotected sex with his HIV-positive accuser but claimed the act was consensual, and a judge found him not guilty. The trial exposed Mr Zuma to be a deeply flawed individual. Notwithstanding, Mr Zuma was elected president of the ANC and is in his second term as South Africa’s president. The big question: Will he be able to fully see out his final term in office?
A recent landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court determined that Mr Zuma violated his constitutional responsibilities linked to a R246m “upgrade” to his private residence that was paid for with public funds. Post the court’s ruling, the top six leaders in the ANC pledged support for him, and Mr Zuma’s party easily defeated a motion to impeach him in parliament. Notwithstanding, there is significant pressure building against him. Calls for Mr Zuma to resign are coming from senior and respected leaders within and outside of his own political party. Plans for a mass action movement of civil society to force his hand are in motion. ANC leaders who have stood by Mr Zuma are also concerned about upcoming municipal elections and the negative impact his most recent scandal may have on a number of tight local contests. But sacking Mr Zuma comes with risks; he still enjoys support among important voting blocs, and the patronage he distributes provides meal tickets to some willing to look the other way rather than have them discontinued.
The odds suggest that Mr Zuma will be forced to resign. However, he’s been in many high-pressure-high-stake situations before and has consistently been able to bat his way to victories with sophisticated political finesse and the raw application of power and arrogance?the proverbial hits for six. This contest is far from over, so stay tuned.