South Africa – Jewish Community Cautious on Country’s New President

    4

    Jacob ZumaSouth Africa – While leaders of South Africa’s Jewish community expressed cautious optimism regarding Jacob’s Zuma’s rise to power on Thursday, other community voices described his presidency as a “depressing defeat” for democracy.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    The African National Congress on Thursday evening had a 64.73 share of the votes, making the party’s controversial yet charismatic candidate the republic’s next president. Zuma won the elections after overcoming a rape charge and numerous corruption charges.

    “No one can make predictions,” South Africa’s chief Orthodox rabbi, Warren Goldstein, told Haaretz. “But there are encouraging signs: The financial crisis hasn’t hit the country so badly and Jewish emigration is down compared to last year.”

    While remaining equally noncommittal, Ze’ev Krengel, chairman of the South African Board of Governors, mentioned that thanks to the “contacts between Goldstein and Zuma,” the Jewish community could enjoy improved accessibility to the presidency.

    At Goldstein’s request, earlier this year Zuma spoke before the community, and even presented the Jewish leadership with a document affirming the party’s support for a two-state solution in the Middle East.

    But Steve Magid, the publisher of the popular Jewish affairs blog “It’s Almost Supernatural,” says Zuma’s presidency could help one of the country’s most anti-Israel bodies: South Africa’s largest trade union COSATU, where Zuma is reported to have a “strong base of support.”

    “Zuma’s style is to tell everyone what they want to hear,” said Magid, who called on readers to “try and stop the ANC,” on his blog, which he runs with Michael Kransdorff. They both say they believe Zuma overcame his corruption charges by illegitimate means that relied on the ANC’s power.

    “I was depressed to see Zuma might pass two-thirds of the vote. It’s a defeat for democracy,” Magid said.

    Goldstein argues COSATU’s rank and file “are not interested” in Israel, and that the Israel boycotts promoted by COSATU are orchestrated by a “few people with limited influence, regardless of who’s in power.”

    The fact that the transition of power occurred smoothly attests to the resilience of democracy in the country, he said.

    Another concern by some pro-Israelis in South Africa is that Zuma may appoint Blade Nzimande from the Communist Party, known for making hostile statements about Israel, as foreign minister.

    “We will have to wait and see,” said Krengel. “We’ll know more about where Zuma’s heading when we see his cabinet. Until then, he’s done no wrong and he’s done no right.”

    South Africa’s Ambassador to Israel, Ismail Coovadia, told Haaretz his country and Israel would continue to enjoy “excellent relations.”

    “The whole world is witnessing the fact that South Africa has come a long way in fulfilling the vision to safeguarding the democratic principles for which we struggled so hard over so many decades: a non-racist, non-sexist, democratic society where people of all colors. Like any true democracy, national interests will take priority,” he said. “All South Africans, irrespective of their party or political persuasions, treasure the constitution as the highest, collective, home-grown achievement of the struggle against the abominations of apartheid. As for its relations with Israel, South Africa will continue to build on the excellent relations we enjoy on many fronts: trade, person-to-person contact, increased diplomatic representivity and a continuing commitment to contribute to share our rich experience in the processes to end the conflict between the African National Congress and the apartheid regime.”


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    4 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Steven
    Steven
    14 years ago

    Get out of there already.

    A Limbaugh listner
    A Limbaugh listner
    14 years ago

    Most Jewish South Africans have! Look at the population decrease since the feketes took over. This is a preview of what is about to happen in the USA. Take heed you elected him!

    Avrohom Abba
    Avrohom Abba
    14 years ago

    The Jewish people are being harrassed in SA. The South Africans also hate the Jews and love the Palestinians. WHy wait for the next incident or for the next spark that ignites anti Semitism as usual? Boruch Hashem there is an Israel. They might want to think about selling their South African businesses and homes and move to Eretz Yisroel. The same is true in other places where they hate us and love the murderer terrorists. Move out already and aim for Israel as the home. We don’t need their magnanimity.

    Milhouse
    Milhouse
    14 years ago

    “At Goldstein’s request, earlier this year Zuma spoke before the community, and even presented the Jewish leadership with a document affirming the party’s support for a two-state solution in the Middle East. “

    And this is supposed to be a GOOD thing? As if it would be normal to expect them to support a one-Judenrein-state “solution”, but boruch hashem they have moderated themselves to a “solution” of one Judenrein state plus one mixed state with indefensible borders, that will be allowed to last until the Arabs have undermined it enough and are ready to proceed to the “final solution”.

    With such friends, who needs enemies?