/ 20 October 2005

Zuma: Burning of Mbeki T-shirts ‘not acceptable’

African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma on Wednesday condemned party members for the first time for burning T-shirts bearing the face of President Thabo Mbeki, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) television news reported.

The T-shirts were burned by Zuma supporters at his court appearance on corruption charges in Durban last week.

”I think what people have done in court is not acceptable,” Zuma told a crowd of more than 1 000 students at the Vaal University of Technology at the launch of the ANC alliance youth movement’s manifesto.

”You cannot burn the symbol of the president of the ANC. You cannot also throw insults to the president. It is unacceptable and we condemn that.”

Blade Nzimande, general secretary of the South African Communist Party, also expressed his disapproval.

”They must be careful that these platforms are not used to attack any member of the ANC or the alliance. We continue to persuade our people not to do that,” he said.

Zuma told the gathering of youth they should have a purpose in life, be responsible and make a difference in society.

He also lashed out at ”academic politicians” and leaders who are not in touch with the people they lead, Business Day reported.

”Live your life with purpose. Don’t become an academic leader who, when asked a question by the people, is then forced to turn to his briefcase before giving an answer.

”Some leaders are made by the newspapers and they are paper leaders. If you are not made by the newspapers, you can’t disappear,” said Zuma.

This was an apparent reaction to weekend newspaper reports painting an unflattering picture of life under a Zuma presidency, Business Day said.

Mbeki and Zuma are expected to meet before the end of the week to finalise their blueprint on how the current tension in the alliance should be resolved.