In their haste for Jacob Zuma to become president, ANC leaders should consider whether his job application cuts it in the real world, writes Simon Mantell

In conducting a search for a suitable applicant for the position of president , an executive recruitment company might draft an advertisement which, while not being limited to the requirements below, would certainly include the following:

“The suitable presidential candidate is required to have capabilities which will include statesmanship and the ability to unite a nation, to visualise, formalise and execute a strategic plan for the country. The candidate must also have the skill to identify and appoint suitably qualified individuals into ministerial positions, who have the potential to work as a cohesive team in order to implement this plan.

“The candidate must have the independence and strength of character to be able to act impartially and without fear or favour in dealing with the various interest groups, whether it be minorities, big business, labour , the civil service or the candidate’s own party.

“Like any successful CEO of a large corporation, the candidate must have an excellent grasp of the core components of the complex machinations of the business of government. This would entail a solid track record with successful administrative experience combined with strong numerate and comprehension skills. It is imperative that the candidate has an excellent understanding of matters economic and financial.

“The candidate’s reputation, moral and otherwise, should as far as possible be beyond reproach. This will enable the candidate to lead his/her ministers, the civil service and ordinary citizens by example. The candidate must by his actions, both past and present, be able to command the respect of decent South Africans irrespective of their political persuasion. Former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu are examples of South Africans capable of commanding such respect.”

These limited and by no means exhaustive requirements highlight the fact that the ANC and its partners have not really paused to consider whether Zuma’s application for the top job would pass muster in a real world.

Turning to the qualifications which the successful candidate must satisfy. First, statesmanship. Only Mandela and Jan Smuts in the last 60 years of South African politics would qualify as true statesmen and it is probable that they possessed this aura prior to assuming office. On the ability to unite a nation: The ANC’s preferred candidate has not displayed any capacity to unite a nation with a vision or a common goal.

Strategically, it would appear that in Zuma, SA would be on barren ground as he is apparently bereft of any “big” ideas. The content of his speeches has been found wanting ­ containing what his respective audiences wish to hear rather than what they really need to hear.

Sound judgment, together with the setting of a fine example in all spheres of life, is an imperative for a successful candidate. In Zuma, SA has a man who cannot even manage his household budget. This is well documented with a number of personal car repossessions and his being forced to take small tranches of cash from his former “financial adviser.” His personal income tax is a mess and his nondisclosure of income received does not set a good example for the man in the street. If he cannot manage his own affairs on a micro level, how would he hope to comprehend matters on a macroeconomic level? These shortcomings would make it impossible for the preferred candidate to properly interrogate a finance minister or any other member of the cabinet for that matter.

In a country where women are still treated as second class citizens, is Zuma setting a good example by taking on more wives? This question is posed because his financial track record indicates that he can ill-afford or manage his current familial responsibilities. Also , his predisposition for extramarital sex hardly sets a fine example for South African men.

Lack of education need not be a stumbling block for a future president or prime minister and Winston Churchill is a good example of this. However, despite Churchill’s lack of tertiary education, his spoken insights and his writings are evidence of solid intellect. A t well over 60 years of age, Zuma has yet to display such intellect.

In order to implement a plan successfully, a president would need to appoint the best candidates in ministerial roles and, like any efficient CEO, he would have to subject them to scrutiny and apply the blowtorch where necessary. That Zuma could even have consorted with people of the ilk of Schabir Shaik over the years is indicative of his lack of judgment.

If in his various provincial government roles, Zuma was unable to prove himself to be an able administrator, then what realistic chance is there of him succeeding on a national stage?

The shortcomings of his behaviour in various public arenas only confirm that he doesn’t have the moral authority or judgment to guide and control subordinates.

Influence on an international stage could also prove to be a vexing problem for Zuma as president. Certainly, he does have a unique song and dance routine, but on an international stage he would probably be considered a muppet.

Surely, after the example of leaders of the calibre of Mandela, OR Tambo and Chief Albert Luthuli, the ANC can come up with a leader who possesses the talent to emulate these great men ­ or, at least, who aspires to it.

Sadly, there is a tremendous leadership vacuum in SA and one is hard pressed to identify active politicians in the government of this country who command respect. Leadership can come in all forms, but there are certain non-negotiables which are part of the DNA of all great leaders and which appear to be lacking in Zuma.

SA deserves a great leader who is respected both within the country and on international stages. Should we opt for a lesser leader, then it will not be long before we are truly considered a “toy town” by the countries that really matter in the international arena.

It would be reassuring to the South African public if Zuma could successfully repudiate the assertions about his lack of abilities that have been made here and elsewhere. This would go a long way to reassuring the public that he is the most suitable candidate for SA’s top job.

Mantell, a businessman, is a member of the Appeals Panel of the Press Council of SA, and is not a card-carrying member of any political party.

With acknowledgements to Simon Mantell and Business Day.