Yoshie Furuhashi wrote: COSATU no longer pushing for Jacob Zuma? They would have pushed for him as the next president, but COSATU as one of the pillars (the masses) of the tri-partite alliance (ANC, Communist Party and COSATU) If COSATU goes its own way, they are more likely to push for one of their own, seeing that the those who have crossed the line into the 'capitalist' camp are seen to have sold out the workers' aspirations.
For a real split between the two sides all that is needed is for the government to get bold with privatisation of state assets, utilities, services etc. COSATU knows it will cause job cuts and services will become more expensive. As for Zuma's continued mass support and popularity, unfortunately, that is one of the potential dangers to South Africa's nascent democracy. The personality cult is still very strong, such that those who became heroes at some point, remain heroes no matter how evil/ crooked/ corrupt/ unethical they become. It is so bad that even those who have to punish/ discipline/ correct/ them, do so ever so lightly not to upset the masses of supporters. We saw this years back with a pastor, Allan Boesak, who siphoned Scandinavian charity money, then Tony Yengeni who accepted a luxury vehicle and money to fidget the outcome of a arms tender contract, now Zuma. Boesak on his release from jail was received by a delegation of VIPs, including cabinet ministers!!!!!! Rui Rui Correia Advocacy, Human Rights, Media and Language Consultant 2 Cutten St, Horison, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa Tel/ Fax (+27-11) 766-4336 Cell (+27) (0) 83-368-1214 "Quando a verdade é substituída pelo silêncio, o silêncio é uma mentira" - Yevgeny Yevtushenko "When truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie" - Yevgeny Yevtushenko
