2016 - THE BEGINNING Of THE END FOR ZUMA AND HIS ACOLYTES?

Other than intense blowback following Nene's sacking, South Africa's political landscape during December, 2015, was relatively uneventful. So much so, that a scheduled cabinet meeting on the economy was postponed to sometime in January, 2016, because it apparently conflicted with the approaching holiday festive season. One can understand the need for our hardworking president and his cabinet to take time off for rest and relaxation. Nothing was more "deservedly" warranted despite the fact that the country was going to hell in a handbasket. For those unfamiliar with the expression, it is an American allegorical locution describing a situation headed for a disaster inescapably or precipitately. There is no euphemism that nears describing cluelessness of the president and his cabinet, other than shameful, reprehensible and unforgivable neglect and dereliction. Even the prospect of a collapsing economy did not stand in the way of a quad bike ride on the grounds of Nklanda, together with other recreational activities over the festive season. One assumes that as festivity was paramount during the holiday season, reading was not a priority for the president and his cabinet. Assuming this to be so, the latest edition of the highly influential global business magazine The Economist is a must-read not only for them, but for all South Africans. The article in The Economist entitled "The hollow state" must be read in concert with Alec Hogg's review "How world sees SA: Destructive Zuma busy hollowing out the Beloved Country". According to Hogg The Economist has judged Zuma, "and found wanting". Not earth shattering news, but he then adds Zuma "is an ineffective, deeply flawed, economically clueless leader who shouldn't have been let loose on any democracy . . The real question, though, is what will South Africans do about it all when they return from their annual holidays. Will they resuscitate the #Zumamustfall campaign with renewed vigour? Or simply shake their collective heads and allow the destruction to continue?" There is a rule of thumb when offering political predictions - do not, unless one is driven by unmitigated gut compulsion. In this instance compulsion prevails - 2016 will be a year of dramatic change for South Africa, with South Africa's future resonating in the words of Nelson Mandela's favourite poem "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul". South Africa's fate is in the hands of its people who possess the abiding power to end the destruction.