{"id":67781,"date":"2016-04-11T18:47:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T16:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/why-zumas-african-way-is-at-odds-with-the-african-unions-vision-the-conversation\/"},"modified":"2016-04-11T18:47:41","modified_gmt":"2016-04-11T16:47:41","slug":"why-zumas-african-way-is-at-odds-with-the-african-unions-vision-the-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/why-zumas-african-way-is-at-odds-with-the-african-unions-vision-the-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Zuma’s \u2018African way\u2019 is at odds with the African Union’s vision | The Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"
Heads of state at an African Union session in Addis Ababa. They have signed up to a plan that envisages strengthening institutions and governance.<\/span> EPA\/Solan Kolli<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

South Africans are mobilising against what they see as an inherently corrupt president. The international community has also joined in the clarion call for his resignation.<\/p>\n

Corruption, state capture, and scandal lie at the core of demands for President Jacob Zuma to go. The dominant narrative is that he has acted in only his self-interest with little regard for the country.<\/p>\n

Yet Zuma survived another impeachment motion in parliament with full support from the governing African National Congress, the party he leads.<\/p>\n

In the midst of the mounting pressure, Zuma has urged that African problems be dealt with \u201cin an African way\u201d. He told supporters:<\/p>\n

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I\u2019ll be very happy that we solve the African problems in the African way because if we solve them only legally they become too complicated. Law looks at one side only, they don\u2019t look at any other thing \u2026 They [the courts] deal with cold facts and I was complaining [about] that, but they\u2019re dealing with warm bodies. That\u2019s the contradiction.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

But, what exactly is the African way?<\/p>\n

A cursory glance at the African Union\u2019s Agenda 2063 shows the importance of institutions underpinned by principles of accountability and good governance. This entails transformed institutions and a new way of governance, accountable to the people.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the African Union stresses that:<\/p>\n

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we recognise that a prosperous, integrated, an united Africa, based on good governance, democracy, social inclusion, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law are the necessary pre-conditions for a peaceful and conflict-free continent.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This recognition stems from having \u201clearned from our past\u201d. As a result there is a pledge to \u201ctake into account the lessons\u201d as Africa embarks on Agenda 2063.<\/p>\n

Africa\u2019s seven aspirations<\/h2>\n

By signing up to Agenda 2063, African countries \u2013 including South Africa \u2013 commit to advancing socio-political and socio-economic transformation. The agenda captures seven aspirations of the African people:<\/p>\n