A wave of various anti-Zuma movements have
leapt up all over social media in recent days, speared on by the disastrous
events of the much-publicised decisions taken by President Jacob Zuma in the
finance ministry of late.
Last week, Zuma unexpectedly announced that
Nhlanhla Nene would be replaced by the relatively unknown David van Rooyen as
finance minister. The latter was abruptly removed four-days later; swapping
ministries with Pravin Gordhan. The result was the formation of various pages
on Facebook informing the public at large of the various marches taking place
in parts of the country on Wednesday. The Mail
& Guardian has collated them as follows:
- In Port Elizabeth, local resident Alter
James is organising a march scheduled to start at 10am at the corner of
Holland Street and Govan Mbeki Avenue.
He told the M&G he has partnered up with the owner of a printing firm for
the sale of T-shirts tagged #ZumaMustFall priced at R45 each. Following a
morning meeting with Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Danny Jordaan, James said they
have received the necessary go-ahead for the march to take place and marshals
will be placed along route to Jordaan’s office where they will deliver a
memorandum lamenting Zuma’s leadership; particularly his poor handling of
matters pertaining to Nkandla, the SABC and SAA. Incidentally, Zuma will be
commemorating National Reconciliation Day in the city. According to a statement
from the Presidency, he will be giving an address at the indoor centre of the
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Missionvale Campus from 9am and his
address will speak to issues related to nation building. - The Unite Against Corruption (UAC) coalition
will be hosting two anti-Zuma marches on Wednesday; one in Johannesburg, the other
in Cape Town. Commenting on the Johannesburg event, Mark Haywood said there’s
been huge interest in the march and they have partnered up with various civil
organisations, businesses and trade unions. He has been in negotiations with
the city and is adamant the march is
going ahead. “I’m hoping that a court application will not be necessary but if
that’s what has to happen at the last minute then that’s the route we’ll go,”
he said. They plan to occupy Nelson Mandela Bridge over a two-hour period
starting at 10am. Their Cape Town counterparts have been given the green-light
from the city to go ahead with their demonstration. Miles Giljam says their
event will kick-off at 10am at the Company Gardens in the front of the city
centre’s National History Museum, adding that all they are doing is providing a space
for those who want to object to Zuma’s leadership. Those planning to
attend are encouraged to sing songs and have been urged to bring their own
supplies and placards. Prior to that, there will be an official #ZumaMustFall
congregation outside Parliament. Kerry Nelson said buses have been sponsored
and following their demonstration, they will head off to the UAC
event at the Company Gardens. - In Pretoria, supporters of the anti-Zuma
movement will meet at the Pretoria Art Museum at the corner of Francis Baard
and Johan Streets in Arcadia by 9am. They will then march to the Union
Buildings where they plan to protest until 3pm. - A silent protest also under the #ZumaMustFall moniker will be held in Plettenberg Bay from 4-5.30pm at Plett Main
Street. Facebook postings say those interested must bring their own placards,
select a spot on the pavement and protest against Zuma’s leadership. - In George,
there will be a silent picket at Unity Park at the top of York Street from 10am-1pm. Those attending are encouraged to bring posters and to invite
friends and family. - Durban’s anti-Zuma event is scheduled for
February 2016. According to queries posted on Facebook, this is so as to allow
organisers enough time to prepare. Dubbed the Multi Million Man March, they
have set themselves an ambitious target of at least one million participants.
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