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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2012 06:11 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2012 06:11 |
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President Jacob Zuma's new communications supremo, Zizi Kodwa, believes that the president's moves to moderate the confrontational style of ANC youth leader Julius Malema are already bearing fruit. In an interview with the Mail & Guardian in Johannesburg this week, Kodwa said the change in Malema was immediately apparent in the way he dealt with attacks from Young Communist League secretary Buti Manamela last weekend. "When Malema saw these attacks on television, he didn't call the SABC and demand a right of reply. He called the president of the ANC to say: there's a particular leader of the [South African Communist] party attacking me. That shows there's already a sensitivity from Malema's side." Kodwa said Zuma had dealt effectively with Malema's confrontational approach at the ANC's national executive committee meeting last week, where he read the riot act on public mudslinging in the alliance. "Leaders need a certain decorum. How you come across is as important. Last weekend [Zuma] drew a line to save the ANC; he said that line cannot be crossed." Kodwa was appointed Zuma's special communications adviser this week, making him one of the most powerful officials in government. His appointment clearly flows from Zuma's serial public relations disasters this year, including revelations of his child born out of wedlock, his widely lambasted State of the Nation address and his failure to timeously declare his assets. The president's new PR campaign, which encompasses a "meet the masses" programme including this week's visit to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, is also linked to his recent announcement that he is available to serve a second term. Kodwa previously served as Zuma's spokesperson in the ANC, putting him in competition with Zuma's communications team in the presidency. He was clearly mindful of the reported tension between the head of Zuma's private office, Lakela Kaunda, and the chief operating officer in the presidency, Jessie Duarte, insisting that he is "not taking over anyone's job". And he will not move out of Luthuli House, because Zuma had learned from Thabo Mbeki's mistake: "Don't isolate the party in favour of government; it will come back to haunt you."  CONTINUES BELOW Kodwa will straddle Luthuli House and the Union Buildings as Zuma's "eyes and ears", guiding his responses to national issues. Counting political journalists among his friends and known for his lavish birthday parties, he is notably more media-friendly than such presidential officials as Duarte, who believe the media is "hostile" to the ANC and Zuma. "Generally, the South African media have always been forthright and critical, like South African society, which is very active. The media have accepted Zuma is the president, and I think, in the main, are engaging him on substance and issues. "We don't want a media that is embedded, that is like an imbongi [praise singer]. The media has alerted him to certain ways in which government does not work." Kodwa, who cut his teeth as ANC Youth League spokesperson, is aware of the value Zuma places on loyalty, seeing that as key to his job. "You have to share his vision if you communicate for him. But, most importantly, you have to be loyal to the president." He is diplomatic when asked whether the communication about Zuma's love child could have been more effective. His spin doctors were roundly attacked, even by Cosatu. "Whatever was communicated, not everyone would have been happy." Kodwa has designed a "press the flesh" programme for Zuma over the next three months, visiting protesting communities. TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
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 Media-friendlyPresident Jacob Zuma's right-hand man, Zizi Kodwa. (Oupa Nkosi) Client Media Releases
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