'Zuma is a good president'

21 July 2009 - 02:00
By Ido Lekota

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma is an effective leader, who makes major decisions contrary to claims by some of his critics, ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe has said.

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma is an effective leader, who makes major decisions contrary to claims by some of his critics, ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe has said.

Mantashe yesterday shot down claims that Zuma is an "absentee president who does not take decisions".

"Those who do not see Zuma feel him by his actions.

"He has moved to appoint members of the Judicial Service Commission, he has also appointed a new governor of the Reserve Bank," Mantashe told a media briefing in Johannesburg yesterday.

Mantashe also said Zuma had made a statement about nationalisation, saying "it is not ANC policy".

"He takes decisions. He is a firm man and a very good president," said Mantashe.