WHAT COMES FIRST COUNTRY OR PARTY?

It was hardly 24 hours ago when President Zuma gave it to the opposition that they should distinguish between the business of the African National Congress and that of the country and he was right but he showed that he is more of an ANC cadre than a servant of the people of South Africa.

It is unpardonable that the President should have deemed it fit to miss the rally at Orlando Stadium because he was held up at a conference of the youth league of the ANC.

People had travelled long distances at the call of the president but he deemed wiser to be at a function that started later than scheduled. The apology, though registered, is not really welcome. That some people left when it became clear that President Zuma is more of an ANC youth league man than South African is logical; they could not have done otherwise.

The question that goes begging is why he did not leave the youth league conference that has more days to run.  He could still go to address them later in the weekend as they were the cause of the delay.

That the words of opposition leaders in parliament are according to Zuma, are "full of sound and fury yet signifying nothing" is a clear sign of the disdain with which all who are not ANC are treated.

Could it also be that the president wanted to show his allegiance and support to those who parachuted him to the leadership position in Polokwane?

To all intents and purposes the business of the nation should supersede that of any structure of his party. In fact even the business of the ANC should not take precedence over matters of state. The invitation to Orlando Stadium came from government to the nation yet the latter was left high and dry after braving the cold and travelling long distances to be addressed by the president.

We hope this will not recur.

Statement issued by Sipho Mfundisi, Deputy President:UCDP, June 16 2011

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