Reactions to JZ as president

By Chanel September and Tina George
20 December 2007

With Jacob Zuma settling into his new role as the African National Congress president, some have had mixed reactions into his new found position, as leader of the national party.

Zuma walked away with the majority of the votes on Tuesday evening, when he succeeded Thabo Mbeki in a bitter battle for leadership in the ANC.

Despite the victory being sweet for Zuma and his supporters many have disagreed with the selection of the new president.

Bush Radio’s news team took to the streets and found how the general public feel:

“I don’t want Zuma being president because his corrupt, doing rapes and being friends with corrupt people,” Derrick Jacobs.

“I feel great that Zuma is president because he will do a lot of changes for the county. So I say keep well Zuma!" says Khaya Mteqwa.

“I don’t feel so happy about him about it because as a leader he should have a good track record,” says Nelly Williams.

“Seeing Zuma, I know that he has a bad track record, but I know that he’ll be a good president,” says Joe Kotsheni

“Heaven forbid it be Jacob Zuma for various charges that must still be brought against him,” says Riaaz Adams.

Meanwhile political parties aired their views:

“It is sad that the succession battle has gone this way which has divided the party. It’s a topical issue for the country and shows that people are now shut off from a thing that affect them,” says the Democratic Alliance’s, Joe Seremane.

“We respect the decision of the ANC delegates. We want to congratulate Jacob Zuma and hope that he will bridge the divide in the country and party,” says the Independent Democrats, Patricia de Lille.

“We have grave concerns which regard legal issues that we don’t want to see an evasion of the justice system. Democratic processes have taken it course and we pleased about this," says the African Christian Democratic Party’s, Cherylin Dudley.

“Cosatu is extremely pleased with the outcome of the ANC conference. We believe that the new leadership will unite the movement,” says the Congress of South African Trade Union’s Patrick Craven.

Meanwhile the five top positions in the party was also announced with Kgalema Motlanthe walking away as deputy-president. Baleka Mbete, is the new chairperson of the party.

Gwede Mantashe was chosen as secretary-general and Thandi Modise is the new deputy-secretary general.