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DEFENDING JZ: Mathews Phosa

The comment did not sit well with Phosa, who is believed to be part of a group that wants to see Zuma replaced at Mangaung in December.

Phosa warned Democratic Alliance MP Wilmot James that he should not push him to say things about his leader Helen Zille.

"Zuma is the president of the country and of the ANC and I deny and defend him ... he is not a male chauvinist. I refuse to attack your leader in this debate. I can say so many things about her but I refuse," Phosa said in response to James.

The exchange happened during a debate at ANC stalwart Ahmed Kathrada's annual conference in Johannesburg ,where the two were invited to speak on non-racialism and nation building - together with Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder.

James praised former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki for being nationalists. But Phosa disputed this, saying Mandela should not be reduced to a nationalist.

James' argued that he pulled through a series of laws like affirmative action to deal with inequality, while Black Economic Empowerment was made the law under Mbeki's leadership.

Phosa's irritation at James' comment was unprecedented as he has been heavily criticised for failing to defend Zuma when he he was called a "dictator" by expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema

He recently added fuel to the fire when he warned of dictatorship slowly creeping into the ruling party, a comment seen as an indirect jab at Zuma.

While some ANC structures have nominated Phosa to retain his current position or be deputy president, he has called on ANC members not to retain the current leadership collective under Zuma, if it is found that it has failed to fulfil its electoral mandate.

Phosa also emphasised the importance of creating a platform of common purpose as leaders, instead of pointing fingers at one another. "We must focus on the positives and less on the differences ," he said.

- nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za

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Wed Jun 19 20:24:46 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 12, 2012

RobinH

"I deny and defend him" - HELLO, that doesn't even start to make sense.
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Oct 12, 2012

ApelMankotsana

Indeed there is no way we can compare Nelson Mandela and Thabo with Zuma. The former wo are nationalists, intellects, nation builders, Africanists and estowed leaders whereas Zuma is indeed a male chauvinist, who has failed to unify the ANC, and under whose leadership the ANC has lost its credibility. He has made horrendous judgments in his appointments, such as, that of Adv.Simelane, Jimmy Manyi and others. Busy utilizing more than R 208 m to improve his Nkandla homestead. Zuma is the worst president i have ever seen in the country. He is even not able to read a prepared speech. He lacks charisma....Come Mangaung.
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Oct 12, 2012

Tasto

Had to his Polokwane choice !! This reflect on this thing that contributed to demise of the once great anc movement!!
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Oct 12, 2012

Mrazane

@ RobinH - I THINK he is trying to say he denies Zuma is a male chauvenist and he is defending him against the "attack".

If Zuma makes it at the Mangaung conference there will no ANC to talk about after his second term. The man must quit now while he has a chance of a dignified exit. If he wins, I suspect that there may be a ruthless plot to get rid of him once and for all, one that will see him behind bars for life, and he would not be able to pull a Schabir.

If any blogger will be in Mangaung please assamblief make sure Zuma does not get elected as president. Those that want a second term for him are those who are benefitting from the chaos and disorder in government and want the status quo to remain.
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Oct 12, 2012

KukuyaLethosa

Zuma is the most stupid president this country has ever had after P.W. Botha. He has dragged our country on the mud on several occasions. He sleeps around and impregnate women all over. He's got 5 wives but continues to cheat on them without using protection, risking chances of contracting HIV/AIDS and infecting all of them. Zuma has no principles, morals or values. He's a disgrace to ANC and our country in particular because as head of state he represents the nation. He's utterly disgusting.
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Oct 12, 2012

Letjatji

Mr Phosa was not reosoning on facts but emotions and denial.We all know hellen zille is having her own weakness but cant be compared to zuma,in actual fact since south africa was a union this is the most weakest president.Even those apartheid leaders were good in implimenting their policies of seggregations agaist blacks.
Zuma is just sitting on his balls waiting for a salary every month.
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Oct 12, 2012

RobinH

Mrazane: Yes I know, I sort of figured that out. I am just so sick of having to work out what politicians "mean to say" as opposed to what they actually say. Phosa in particular should be perfectly capable of using unambiguous language. Instead, they toss sloppy phrases about, which of course opens the gap for the "I am being misinterpreted" excuse.
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Oct 12, 2012

Mrazane

@RobinH - Hahahaha very true.

... "I am being misinterpreted" excuse - and therein lies the secret always create an escape route as you mumble along.
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Oct 12, 2012

seutullamakunutu

@Letjatji 100%

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Oct 12, 2012

midastouch

'deny and defend' Really comrade!! what does that even mean? do these people go to a special school of bulls***t???????
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