KNYSNA NEWS - A full house was at WHE+ restaurant on Saturday 10 March, there to see a panel of experts, commentators and journalists at the Fate of the Nation event on the Knysna Literary Festival 2018 calendar.
The panel was made up of News24 editor Adriaan Basson, professor Jonathan Jansen of the Stellenbosch University, renowned journalist Ranjeni Munusamy and HuffPost SA editor-in-chief Pieter du Toit.
They were discussing the current political climate and the recent changes at the helm of SA politics, former president Jacob Zuma's past influence, president Cyril Ramaphosa's stance on land issues, and the EFF's Julius Malema's significant rhetoric.
Speaking on the transition of power, they stated that during the election conference of the ANC where Cyril Ramphosa was elected, it was clear that there was a split in the ruling party.
“Ramaphosa expected David Mabuza to be his deputy, but clearly didn't see Ace Magashule being appointed as ANC secretary-general,” Du Toit said.
“When the announcement was made he did not move a muscle. He did not see it coming.”
Commenting on Zuma's statement that government will provide free higher education for the poor, Jansen said he doesn't think this is a contestable statement, because “every reasonable person will agree that a talented kid who can't afford to go to university must get support from the government”, he said, adding that free higher education across the board, which was also announced, is unrealistic and a dangerous statement to make.
“Naledi Pandor will have her hands full, but at the same time, thank God it is Naledi Pandor.”
Basson asked if credit should be given to Zuma for making the statement of free higher education, as part of his legacy as he exits, despite the problem of who pays for it will be Ramaphosa's to handle.
“I think you give the ANC too much credit for thought,” was the sharp, witty reply from Jansen, much to the appreciation of attendees.
“The former president has trouble distinguishing from his money and other people's money.”
Munusamy was asked who she thought was responsible for the downfall of Zuma. Munusamy replied: “I think it was a slow descent into madness really. It was the inability of the ANC to distinguish right from wrong, and Zuma's insistence that he did no wrong.”
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