Publication	City Press
Date	2005-11-26
Reporter	Editorial
Web Link	www.news24.com

It is all over. Jacob Zuma's ambition to become the country's next president is now an unattainable dream. It must now be clear to all - his supporters and detractors - that the possibility of Umsholozi getting the top job is zero.

It is easy to know why. Until this week, there was still a chance, albeit small, that the self-made man from rural Nkandla could still become the ANC president in 2007. However, when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that a docket had been referred to them for decision, the sun set on Zuma.

While the NPA statement was carefully worded, there is no doubt that police would not have referred the docket to the NPA if there was no substance to the rape allegation made against Zuma .

In all fairness, Zuma has not been charged. He should still be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. However, if one wants to be president of a country, one should not find oneself having to say: "I did not rape that woman."

Even the most vocal supporters - the ANC Youth League and the SA Young Communist - have gone underground. Their silence is an indication that defending Zuma may be an impossible mission.

With regard to corruption charges that Zuma is facing, his supporters may excuse him as somebody who trusted too much and was possibly manipulated by those close to him, but the allegation of rape against Zuma is difficult to defend on principle. This week, the country witnessed the launch of another campaign of non-violence against women and children, an indication that SA is still grappling with issues of abuse .

Zuma has lost the moral high ground that puts him in a pedestal to still challenge for the presidency. The corruption charges against him also worsen his position.

Away from Zuma, the succession debate must now begin in earnest.

The ANC members must look hard and talk openly about the future leader of the party. One way of dealing with this would be to define the challenges that face the country and then look for a candidate who could meet them .

There is no doubt that after the stabilisation of the country's macro-economic policy, SA needs a higher growth rate that will improve employment. In that context, the country's leader should be someone with an understanding of the economy. The next president must not be tainted. Zuma cannot be that person.