WHAT FAF DU PLESSIS DID JUST WASN'T CRICKET

Faf Du Plessis added new meaning to the phrase "finger lickin' good" when television footage emerged from the second test against Australia of him using saliva to vigorously shine the ball with a mint in his mouth.

Du Plessis was charged and found guilty of ball-tampering by the ICC. Despite footage conclusively establishing ball tampering, Du Plessis will appeal the verdict .

Du Plessis should reconsider and withdraw his appeal.  The odds of a successful appeal are zero  notwithstanding the statement from CSA's chief executive, speaking for Du Plessis:  "In his mind Faf is clear that he did not alter the condition of the ball nor did he intend to do so . . . "  Even so, it is irrelevant as to the question of guilt or innocence.  The rule against tampering imposes strict liability on the offender irrespective of intent. The lack of intent is, however, material to the degree of punishment metered out.

It is not too late for Du Plessis to withdraw his appeal, and accept responsibility for violating the black and white rules on ball-tampering.  By doing so, he will assuage the moral indignation of many followers of cricket who well know that his lapse in judgment "just isn't cricket".

ZUMA - A KNOW NOTHING CHUMP

We were recently treated  to a modern day equivalent of the Hatter's tea party in parliament when President Zuma appeared for a Q & A session.

With the EFF boycotting the session the usual disagreeableness between the ANC and opposition parties was less evident, but even by Wonderland standards more confusing.  Confusing because Zuma's  extemporaneous responses to questions demonstrated a fundamental lack of understanding of the challenges facing South Africa.

Like Alice at the Hatter's tea party, opposition MPs were subjected to a litany of Zumaesque absolutely nonsensical responses to important questions.  His asinine remarks deprecating the validity of a downgrade on the country's sovereign debt by rating agencies is indicative of an ignorant man.  He simply does not understand their influence on all sectors of the economy.  To him ratings agencies are symptomatic of a nefarious Western conspiracy to undermine the Brics alliance.

Zuma exemplifies a man delusively content who, to paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, knows nothing,  but believes he knows everything.

THE CONTENT OF ZUMA'S CHARACTER - EMPTY AS AN IDIOT'S MIND

Abraham Lincoln once observed that "if you want to test a man's character, give him power".

So it is with Jacob Zuma.  Over the past weekend Zuma addressed the party faithful in Pietermaritzburg.  Facing an increasing barrage of calls to step down, Zuma invoked the touchstone of shameless politicians -  playing the victim and the blame game.  Zuma defended himself from perceived political conspiracy by erstwhile friends to energise the party's rank and file.  Adding to his diatribe, he blamed Western powers and white capital for underhandedly promoting a nefarious agenda against him and the ANC.

Zuma is smart enough to know he is swimming in dangerous waters - hence his address to the party faithful who blindly rescue him from those he claims conspire against him.

Zuma's worldview is centered on political survival in which he excels.  As to the  content of his character it is as empty as an idiot's mind.

ZUMA AND A DUMBASS DODO

Shawn Abrahams' decision to withdraw fraud charges against Pravin Gordhan has put him in the crosshairs of President Zuma and Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza. Zuma has called on Abrahams to show cause why he should not be suspended. Ntlemeza has accused Abrahams of bad faith/lack of integrity in dropping charges against Gordhan.

Inasmuch as South Africa's political landscape breeds systemic cynicism, it is not inconceivable for Zuma  and Ntlemeza to have orchestrated a pincer movement against Abrahams.  Both are furious at him for withdrawing charges against Gordhan.

Allegations of gross incompetence leveled at Abrahams coupled with Ntlemeza's bad faith/lack of integrity accusation have afforded Zuma the perfect cover to suspend Abrahams to make way for a dyed-in-the-wool Zuma lackey.

In time the political chicanery surrounding the Gordhan saga will be known.  In the meantime Abrahams has suffered lasting damage to his professional reputation.  As for Ntlemeza his role is a lesson in ignorance cloaked in irony - ignorance as to the respective mandates of the Hawks and NPA, and ironically, his questioning of Abrahams' integrity after a judge called Ntlemeza dishonest and lacking in integrity.  He certainly does not possess the traits of a hawk, but rather a dumbass dodo.

MOLEFE RUNNING SCARED

South Africa was recently treated to a rare event -  Brian Molefe's voluntary resignation as Eskom's CEO following allegations of wrongdoing in the State of Capture report.

Voluntary resignation by officials of state or state-owned enterprises is as rare as hens' teeth.  Molefe's  explanation for walking away in the interest of good governance is feeble at best.  Ironically the report alleges Eskom's violation of corporate governance under Molefe's watch, in addition to damning allegations on his relationship with the Gupta family. Simply put, Molefe is running scared.

According to Molefe he plans to take a break, and spend time considering what comes next.  The fact that the DA will file criminal charges against Molefe may leave him with little or no choice of what comes next for him.  

MALEMA WELCOMES A NEW BEDFELLOW

Clinton supporters are in a state of shock, trounced by a billionaire who understood the anger of disaffected voters.  His anti-establishment populist rhetoric resonated with white America across the Rust-Belt and rural communities.  He played to their fears about jobs moving abroad and immigrants, especially from the Middle East moving in.  Trump was their savior, spoke their language, willing to insult anyone in his run for president.

Trump joins the ranks of a growing number of populist leaders capable of mobilising the people claiming to speak on their behalf.  They draw their support by appealing to the less educated and the economically marginalised.

Included in the ranks of populists leaders is Julius Malema.  He too has tapped into the deepening  inequality and social exclusion of the dispossessed.  In doing so, he has benefited from the ANC government's failure to improving standards of the poor. The arrogant ruling elite has unwittingly prepared the way for Malema's populist movement. .

Trump's populist victory will now further embolden Malema to achieve his extremist agenda.  

IT'S TIME FOR THE REAL RAMAPHOSA TO STAND UP

If people are wishing for the day when uber-rich Cyril Ramaphosa, the beneficiary of gratuitous empowerment deals, is anointed the ANC's next leader, and president of South Africa, they should perish the thought.

Although Ramaphosa's public persona seems benign enough, characterised by affability and congeniality, he is not what he appears to be.   Rather he masquerades as a Wolf in sheep's clothing.

Ramaphosa has demonstrated time and again superior skill in political expediency.  Like the wolf he has an innate understanding of the value of teamwork, ready and willing to take his place in the chain of command.  Biding his time,  he readily compromises whatever previously held political convictions to achieve his one overriding ambition - president of South Africa.

When recently challenged by a white DA MP about Marikana, he aligned with the wolf's instinctive aggressiveness by resorting to a racist retort in his defense.

Ramaphosa's outburst on white people speaks volumes about an otherwise enigmatic man.  Until his outburst he has tended to keep his cards close to his chest, but now Ramaphosa's real character has  been unmasked.  It does not bode well for an already deeply divided people should he succeed Zuma.