Jacob Zuma Calls For End To Ambiguity On AIDS 1
Jacob Zuma has been been making statements that have become more openly critical of Thabo Mbeki’s policies, namely the strong centralisation of power in the executive and his policy on HIV/AIDS.
I find it slightly ironic Zuma is criticising Mbeki on both points. Firstly before he was axed as deputy president the policy of strong centralisation seemed to be his own policy as well. Zuma has never made any statements that I am aware of that indicated that he would suddenly reverse the flow of power should he ever become president. I think that policy would have continued unabated.
He also criticised the government’s AIDS policies:
Given the impact of HIV and Aids in the education sector, we cannot afford any mixed messages or ambiguity – the lives of all our people are at stake here
This is again ironic coming from Zuma for two reasons. Firstly during his tenure as deputy president he was also chairman of the National Aids Council. Unless government’s policy on AIDS has changed dramatically since he left this position or I was totally deaf to the howls of outrage from the NAC over government’s AIDS policy then any ambiguity in government’s message can be partially laid not only at the feet of Mbeki but Zuma as well.
And of course there was the little incident of him having unprotected sex with an HIV positive women and taking a shower afterwards in the hopes of reducing his chances of infection. No ambiguity there.
Absolutely.
Zuma obviously has no sense or irony.