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Thousands of ANC members embarked on a protest in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape to remind President Jacob Zuma to fix disputes over local government election candidates lists, the Dispatch Online reported on Wednesday.

Zuma promised before the local government elections that the disputes over candidates lists would be sorted out.

About 2 000 ANC members from 20 wards marched peacefully to the local municipal offices to hand over a petition to ANC regional leaders under the watchful eye of the police on Monday.

via Protesters remind Zuma of promises: News24: South Africa: News.

Jonathan Shapiro – better know as Zapiro – has taken another massive dig at Jacob Zuma which may well see him getting slapped with another lawsuit by the president.

You may recall the below cartoon that caused a massive stir in government a few years ago and led to JZ taking out a lawsuit against Zapiro faster than you can say political satire.

© 2008-2011 Zapiro (All rights reserved) Printed with permission from www.zapiro.com For more Zapiro cartoons visit www.zapiro.com

The cartoon – depicting the Zuma unbuckling his trousers whilst various ANC bigwigs (and Malema) held down lady justice – was published around the time of the presidents rape trial and prompted Mr Zuma to file for R15-million as he felt it was an attack on his dignity. Any right-minded person could see that it was in fact nothing more than a depiction of the lengths to which various ANC people were going to ensure that allegations of corruption, rape, tender rigging etc would not be subjected to the countries laws.

Either way, JZ didn’t like it and although he’s dropped the claim to around R5-million now, he’s still going after Zapiro.

Which makes todays Mail & Guardian cartoon all the more daring and in TheFrenchConnection’s opinion all the more relevant. There is a massive drive from government to bulldoze the new protection of information bill through parliament and once again, anybody who has an ounce of sense can plainly tell that this is nothing more than an attempt to try and scare the media away from whistle-blowing and exposing corruption, particularly at governement level.

Not that they would ever effectively cover it up. They only need to look at the recent uprisings to the north of the continent in places like Egypt to see that no matter how hard you try, you will never stop the spread of information on the World Wide Watchdog. And you’ll never close down Twitter either Floyd.

Anyway – for all of our entertainment pleasure, check out Zapiro’s latest stab at the top dogs.

© 2008-2011 Zapiro (All rights reserved) Printed with permission from www.zapiro.com For more Zapiro cartoons visit www.zapiro.com

Brilliant.

It is being reported that the South African arms sale to Libya deal netted the SA government about R70 million Rand. That’s almost what they needed to renovate Zumas house (minus the hosipital).

Shup shup, Let's have a Bring and Braai!

Nice one ANC. In other news apparently Zuma has convinced Gadaffi to agree to an African Union brokered peace deal.

Well now I think I’ve heard it all!

The entire planet can breathe a sigh of collective relief now that we know that none other than Jacob Zuma, the South African president is keeping chips until Jesus’ second coming.

Well thank God for that hey! Capable and hands springs to mind.

I understand that a lot of electioneering is done to a generally uneducated mass of people, but this is just too much.

The Times reports on a dear Presidents latest election (for the next election no doubt) promise:

Zuma, who was addressing thousands of supporters in Witbank, Mpumalanga, yesterday, said: ‘‘The ANC will rule until the Son of Man comes. He must come back while we are still in power.” The ANC president was roundly criticised by religious leaders shortly before the elections when he invoked the name of Jesus to illustrate the ruling party’s hold on power.

More here.

Now seeing as he is in charge of the ANC, that must make him a JC proxy right? With these utterings, he is either telling us that Jesus MUST come back before the next election, or that the last election we had was the last one we will have. That’ll sit quite nicely with the Mayan Calander hicks proposing an end to the world (or a second coming) by 2012.

Hang on maybe JZ was watching the same documentary I watched this last week on this topic?

Very very smart there, love the way he is covering his bases, just in case, for example, the world ends in 2012.

I was particularly interested in their claim that in 2012, there will be some sort of a galactic alignment, the first for 26 000 years, now that’s all cool and shit, but using that supposition, then EVERY moment last happened 26 000 years ago (working on that timeline)

Just like THIS moment.

…and THIS one.

But getting back to the man of the moment, JZ. I mean how can anyone makes such absurb promises and be taken seriously? Worse still is he taking himself seriously?

So it’s all official, Akon is the man doing the music for the Soccer World Cup 2010 here in South Africa.

I read an interesting article today about Jacon Zuma getting a visit from Akon this last week. I am tempted to make all the obvious comparisons of an ex con hobkbobbing it with an almost ex con.

But I won’t.

Instead I’ll focus on the words of the ‘great JZ’. More on that below.

Incidentally Akon is here to shoot a music video and launch his clothing brand Konvict. Couldn’t have chosen a better place brother.

It’s interesting how public figures are blurring the lines with public servants, apparently Akon arrived on Thursday with an entourage of six smartly dressed people and immediately requested to meet the President.

His reasoning?

“It had been my desire to meet South Africa’s No1 citizen, the President of the Republic, Jacob Zuma,” said Akon adding that he wanted to meet him to ‘formally introduce myself’ as an African artist with the same voice that he (Zuma) has.”

He added: “I also came here to congratulate the President, following his inauguration last weekend.”

After being chauffeured to the President’s home in Forest Town in a black BMW X5, Akon used the occasion to sing for the President.

Zuma, known for dancing his trademark ‘Umshiniwami’ caused laughter when he said that, “it’s a pity that he couldn’t teach me any singing because I can sing on my own.’

We know, we know. You can dance too. An all singing all dancing president. [dancing video here] I don’t think you’re quite in Akons league as a singer but ja…

Zuma calls him Big Brother… maybe he is alluding to wanting to be Big Brother? We could have Presidential Big Brother. God I don’t even want to go into THAT, can you imagine?!  To spice it up we could allow the participants to bring their spouse(s). Nice

Ok back to the meeting.

The meeting between President Zuma and the US music icon was meant to be a courtesy call and the two were delighted. The President said: “This was a courtesy call, which I appreciate. I am very happy that my big brother came to say hello, and I appreciate that he is going to Angola after this, which is wonderful.”

Akon echoed Zuma’s words saying that he was equally delighted to meet the President. “I am very honoured to meet the man, as I just came to say hello. Entertainment and politics go hand in hand. They can both reach out and influence a lot of people.”

Surprisingly Akon didn’t slip in the word ‘great’. Meet the great man. What happened to the days when visiting Celebs used to ask to see Mandela?

I think it’s a ‘great’ thing that Akon is doing the 2010 Soccer World Cup music vibe. Check my article here.

It’s hard to believe that Jacob Zuma is 67 years old…

I heard somewhere that he only wants to be in office for one term, well after that he can do events thats for sure.

You can say what you want about Jacob Zuma, the man can move. If he hadn’t have made it in public office he could have made it on Jam Alley on SABC 1, with moves like this? Maybe even South Africa’s Got Talent?[check my articles about that here and here]

JZ breaks it down like never seen before.

Hang on didn’t I see this oke at Gallery way back when in Cape Town busting some moves?

News24 reports that Zuma’s clan are gonna get in on the celebration of todays events by slaughtering 6 cows!

Don't pick me noooo not me!!

The report read:

Relatives of president elect Jacob Zuma, huddled against the cold at the Union Buildings on Saturday, said they would slaughter six cows in celebration of his inauguration.

“He was a football of the country for some time, but we knew from the beginning that he wasn’t wrong,” said Zuma’s sister-in-law, Rose Zuma,

Rose, wife of Zuma’s younger brother Mike, travelled to Pretoria by car from KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday to attend the long-awaited event.

Although rain dampened proceedings somewhat [read more here], apparently JZ put on a good show, sans dancing, and delivered a good speech. Good on you JZ.

I sometimes wish I could just say EXACTLY what I think. I believe myself to be reasonably well educated and relatively intelligent, but I also know that one can’t always say exactly what one wants to. This in itself probably tells its own story.

I generally stay away from political comment, but I feel I need to say this, specifically as the 2009 general elections are shortly to take place in South Africa.

With a relative amount of dismay I read this article.

The most disappointing aspect of this report is the fact that Mandela, a man whom I have had the most repect for for such a long time, would publically support the “cult of personality” aspect that has befallen the ANC.

Of all people I would have expected Mr Mandela to stand true to his party (which he has done) and true to his ideals and beliefs (which I believe he has done) in public.

The fact that he supports and is still willing to stand for the ANC does say a lot about the man, however I believe it is an error and damning to his legacy to publically endorse a person, rather than that persons party. Jacob Zuma is Jacob zuma, not the ANC.

To appear on stage bearing a Zuma likeness on his breast goes exactly against everything I believe Mr Mandela has stood for in his life. The ANC is NOT Jacob Zuma as much as Jacob Zuma would have you believe. It is supposed to be a party for the people by the people. The very leaders of this ANC have missed the point. This generation of the ANC is one based on personal enrichment, electioneering and smoke and mirrors.

What exactly are you supporting Mr Mandela? An egostistical ruling class that believes we are voting for the person? The Zumas and The Malemas of this country? As a South African I’d like to remind you of the message that todays ruling party is putting out. This message is directed at me, I’m a South African, What do I hear?

I hear Zuma this, Zuma that. I hear nothing of party policy, nothing of how things are going to be fixed. Nothing of service delivery, nothing of safety and security. I hear Zuma. I hear Malema. I hear cult of personality. History has countless examples of cult of personality. It is not what democracy is, it is not what any sane person would vote for.

I know what I’m voting for, I’m voting for South Africa.

Party for the people by the people remember?? Its not rocket science, don’t insult our intelligence.

Here are my thoughts on this report:

“In a short recorded speech played to the crowd in his presence, Mandela said that the ruling party had the responsibility to “build a non-racial society”.”

Perhaps he is reminding Zuma of a few things. Zuma certainly hasn’t covered himself in glory lately on this front. I am an English speaking South african who’s family arrived in South Africa in 1715. Juma’s recent comments about who exactly is South African leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

“Working together we can do more,” Mandela said. Shortly before Mandela’s message was played, ANC youth league president Julius Malema vowed that the country’s youth would vote for the ruling party at Wednesday’s polls.

The fiery youth leader, who just finished campaigning in both the Western and Eastern Cape, told the massive crowd that the ruling party could count on the votes from areas previously not visited by ANC.

Can they count on that Julius? Can you honestly tell your supporters that people you haven’t campaigned for or represented will support you? Can you vow that? Thought not.

“Malema reiterated the league’s stance that it would “never sell out” the ANC – a reference to leaders who broke away from the ruling party to form the Congress of the People.”

Service delivery remember? Stick to service delivery, you’re a public servant.

“We will never sell out what Chris Hani stood for, what [former ANC Youth League leader] Peter Mokaba stood for. Before you touch Zuma you will have to start with us,” Malema said to loud cheers from the crowd.

He further vowed that the ANC will win with “a more than three third majority” at the polls.

What do YOU stand for Julius? What does your party stand for?  Once again this is an insult to our intelligence. One cannot ‘vow’ that a win will happen.

ANC president Jacob Zuma arrived at the Ellis Park Stadium at about 12pm to address the over 400 000 ANC supporters across the country .

The massive crowd went into a frenzy of cheers and chants as elder statesman Nelson Mandela made a surprise appearance with Zuma shortly after noon.

When a frail-looking Mandela, wearing an ANC T-shirt bearing Zuma’s face, was literally hauled onto the stage and waved at the masses, supporters in the stadium were delirious with excitement.

That last sentence says it all.