There was much jubilation and even dancing on the streets when Jacob Zuma, the nation's embattled and controversial president, announced his resignation in a televised address to the nation.
"I have to come to a decision to resign with immediate effect," he said late on Wednesday, February 14 in a televised speech, at around 10.30pm, at his presidential home in Pretoria.
Zuma's resignation followed months of intense public pressure to step down amid long-standing corruption allegations.
The top six of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) formally asked Zuma, 75, last week to resign and when he refused, asking for reasons, the ANC’s highest decision making body (NEC) took a decision that should Zuma not resign by Wednesday evening (February 14), their members of parliament would support the EFF’s motion of no confidence which was tabled for Thursday (February 15).
South Africans rejoice
Comments on various media platforms showed that most South Africans were relieved and delighted that the Zuma era had finally ended. Many said that they were tired of the corruption and state capture that took place during Zuma’s regime.
The call for Zuma to step down reached a crescendo in early February when the Nelson Mandela Foundation released a statement calling for him to go immediately.
"President Zuma has abused the trust of South Africans. He must go, sooner rather than later. Time is of the essence," the foundation said.
The Laudium Sun took to the streets to hear our locals views on Zuma’s ‘forced’ resignation.
Teacher, Vasanti Naidoo (41) of Swanepoel Street, Erasmia, said: "Now that Zuma has fallen, we can at least now get back to addressing the important issues affecting the country, irrespective of who's leading ANC or the country. It's time now to stamp out corruption, reduce unemployment and improve service delivery to all communities, rich or poor."
Lizebeth Raphala (45) of Itireleng, said: "It's good that he has resigned because he has done nothing for the betterment of our country and only bothered to make himself richer while some people in South Africa don't have a plate of food to eat at the end of the day."
Francinah Ngobeni (45) of Itireleng, said: "I am happy that this has happened. Jacob Zuma has resigned because he failed to create jobs for the people of South Africa. He also failed to provide service delivery for the people because they are still living in shacks with no water and electricity while he has stolen tax payer's money to build himself a massive house at Nkandla."
Retired policeman, Avinash Moonsamy (62) of Bengal Street, Laudium, said: "One can feel for Jacob Zuma. It is human to not want to see someone wounded, to know that his mistakes will outlive him, but now we must turn around with vigour and tend to our own wounds and prepare for the battle of correction for our beautiful country. It's a new dawn and new era, and it's time to bring dignity and decorum back to Parliament and the Presidency."
Programmer, Shivesh Arjun Singh (27) of Ben Street, Erasmia, said: "Our country is celebrating that Zuma has fallen instead of dissecting what this means for the economy of this country. I really don't feel like celebrating, I'm worried about the country even more so now."
Cell C sales manager, Kiveshnie Govender (29) of Cuprene Street, Laudium, said: "People think Zuma's leadership is corrupt. Whatever Zuma did was condoned by the top 6. If not, they would have recalled him earlier. The entire ANC is corrupt, it's not just one man or a small group, it the entire party. But, how ironical, he lost the love of his people on Valentine's Day!”
