SOUTH AFRICA: VIEWS ON JACOB ZUMA'S POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PRETORIA 004310 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF, AF/S E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINR KHIV KJUS SF SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: VIEWS ON JACOB ZUMA'S POLITICAL FUTURE REF: A. PRETORIA 2086 ¶B. PRETORIA 3924 ¶C. CAPE TOWN 317 Classified By: Chief of Mission Eric M. Bost. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY. This is the first in a series of cables that will explore strengths and weaknesses of emerging candidates for the ANC and national presidencies in South Africa. Ref A provided brief profiles of possible contenders. This message presents current views of South African political commentators who place a very positive spin on former Deputy President Jacob Zuma's appeal and prospects. Subsequent cables will highlight South African analysts' views on Zuma's shortcomings, as well as pros and cons of other possible candidates as they emerge. Despite continuing press speculation, Mission believes the race to succeed President Mbeki as ANC president remains wide open. ¶2. (C) ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma, who can be both charismatic and politically gauche, should not be easily dismissed, according to South African biographer Mark Gevisser (strictly protect). Zuma's appeal extends far beyond ethnic boundaries and includes many in the ANC who feel disenfranchised by Mbeki. If Zuma reinvents himself as a "servant of the ANC," Gevisser believes the "presidency will be his to lose." Ironically, if he succeeds with this strategy, Zuma would be predictable and accountable to the ANC in a way "anointed Mbeki" never has been. END INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY. -------------- ZUMA'S SUPPORT BASE -------------- ¶3. (C) On 29 September, South African biographer Mark Gevisser (strictly protect) spoke with PolOff off the record about ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma, saying he believes Zuma still stands a chance at the ANC and national presidencies. Though press reports often imply that Zuma's strong support base hinges on KwaZulu-Natal, it extends much further than the most fervent supporters dressed in traditional outfits outside the courtroom, according to Gevisser. Zuma attracts both uneducated exiles and black bourgeoisie who do not want Zuma to change ANC policy as much as they want to benefit from it in the way others within the ANC have. In these cases, Gevisser argues they are hitching their hopes to Zuma, believing he can make up for what they feel has been denied to them by Mbeki. ¶4. (C) ANC Researcher Wande Makalima told PolOff on 21 September -- the day after Zuma's corruption case was struck off the roll (Ref B) -- that people working in ANC headquarters overall were pleased with the decision, which permitted them to get on with their work without the case hanging over them as it had been. Makalima also believes Zuma to be the leading contender for the ANC presidency in Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, and to have possibly as much as 50 percent support from Gauteng, Northwest, Western Cape, and Free State. -------------- TACTICS NOT UNIVERSALLY OFFENSIVE -------------- ¶5. (C) Gevisser assessed that many South Africans are not as offended by Zuma's more controversial actions and comments as one might think. The ANC's traditions of equality and inclusiveness and the generous rights and protections enshrined in the South African constitution do not necessarily sit well with more traditional South Africans (Ref C). For example, Gevisser believes that Zuma's recent statements against homosexuality merely highlight his attempt to bolster support within the more conservative Zulu population. (Note: During Heritage Day celebrations in KwaZulu-Natal in late September, Zuma is quoted as saying same-sex marriages were "a disgrace to the nation and God" and that when he was young, he would have knocked down any homosexual he met. Zuma has apologized by saying that he did not mean to condemn gays or lesbians.) ¶6. (C) Michele Ruiters, a gender researcher at the Institute of Global Dialogue, confirmed to Poloff on October 2nd that while educated, middle-to-upper-class women may have been permanently turned off by Zuma during the rape trial, PRETORIA 00004310 002 OF 003 his image among uneducated rural women within South Africa probably was not fatally tarnished. A voluntary poll in the daily Sowetan newspaper on 10 October, though far from scientific, partially reflects her sentiments. According to the poll, 63 percent of call-in respondents, which was not broken down by gender, voted in favor of Zuma becoming the country's next President, while only 44 percent of internet all respondents, who claimed to be mostly professionals or middle-class with access to the internet, voted in Zuma's favor. Female internet respondents were even less supportive, with only 32 percent believing he should be president. -------------- ZUMA STILL NEEDS IMAGE MAKEOVER -------------- ¶7. (C) Though Gevisser believes that Zuma still stands a chance of succeeding Mbeki, he thinks Zuma is going to have to soften his image if he wants to build support within the ANC's upper ranks. Zuma will gain the most traction within the party if he reinvents himself as "a servant of the ANC." By emphasizing that the party is bigger than one person, and that he plans to promote stablity, Zuma can demonstrate he has the political maturity necessary to carry both the conservative constituency and the broader population. Gevisser admits it will be difficult for Zuma to reinvent himself, but indicated that people within Zuma's inner circle, including his speechwriter, understand his weaknesses and probably will work towards reshaping his public image. ¶8. (C) Professor Dirk Kotze, a political science professor at the University of Pretoria echoes Gevisser's point. Kotze told PolOff in mid-September that the ANC prides itself on working collectively and that Zuma, by grandstanding, is irritating the older guard. According to Kotze, "the movement will pick you, not the other way around." -------------- ZUMA PRESIDENCY "NOT ALL BAD" -------------- ¶9. (C) Gevisser believes that a Zuma presidency "would not be all bad." First, if he wins, it would be by "promoting a message of stability." Gevisser stressed that most people within the ANC want to be reassured that the next president of the country will not make dramatic policy changes. Second, South Africa's strong civil society would keep him in check. Third, Zuma's cabinet may be a welcome change from Mbeki's cabinet, which is currently a mixed bag. Gevisser believes that despite Zuma's statements on HIV/AIDS, he is likely to bring on someone better than current Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. (Note: Gevisser is openly gay and has written numerous press articles criticizing South Africa's HIV/AIDS policy.) Last, by reinventing himself as a "servant of the ANC," Zuma would be beholden to the ANC in a way that "anointed Mbeki" never has been and thus would not be able to implement sweeping changes anyway. -------------- BIO NOTE -------------- ¶10. (C) Gevisser is a South African professional journalist, author, and film producer who writes on both South African and international politics. In addition to writing "Portraits of Power," which profiles 40 prominent South Africans, Gevisser spent considerable time working on an authorized biography of President Mbeki, which was to have been published in 2003. We do not know the reason for the delay or if the book will ever be published. Gevisser told PolOff that he lived in the United States in the 1980s for a period of eight years, four of which were at Yale University, and the others as a journalist in New York City. Gevisser said he enjoyed living in the States, emphasizing they were his "formative years." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶11. (C) Despite Gevisser's comment that the presidency could be Zuma's to lose, the race remains wide open. Zuma may be the favorite in some circles today, but we doubt his staying power and national appeal, especially as other candidates emerge. Moreover, the biggest threat to his PRETORIA 00004310 003 OF 003 political career still looms since the National Prosecuting Authority has not abandoned its corruption case against him. BOST