My eyes watered a bit as I watched the proceedings at the South African Women's day celebrations out in the Eastern Cape on SABC 2. The representative of the COPE Women's League (not sure if that is what they are called) was called to the podium to speak, but before she could give her speach, the makority ANC Women's league crowd started heckling and booing her. They were not going to let her talk! The Programme Director tried to sing them back into order but they would just not let go. Another ANC leader came to the podium, spoke, sang, persuaded... and still no joy!
Finally, Jacob Zuma, the President of the ANC and the state president came up to the podium, sang a quick song, calmed the crowd and then strongly reprimanded the ANC women for not being an example to the nation. He reminded them of the fact that this was not an ANC function. Rather it was a state function, and he was there to address all women, not just ANC women. The ANC women had to decide: if they wanted him there, they had to behave or else he and his entourage would leave. Calm. The programme was rescued. The COPE leader having gone back to her seat, the IFP speaker came and gave her speach to a thunderous applause and then the COPE leader spoke, to less heckling...
If you unfamiliar with our continent and its politics the above would appear bizzare and what Zuma did would appear nothing more than the expected behaviour for a man in his position. Yet that is actually not the case. In many African countries the distinction between party and state is non existant and being a member of any opposition party is nothing short of treacherous. Clearly some of the women at the "grassroots" level of the ANC share this sentiment. What is refreshing and what made Zuma's action for me quite heart warming, was the fact that the ANC is really trying to clarify this distinction in principle, word and deed. My hope and prayer is that more and more African leaders and parties get to see this as the normal way of running their parties and countries...