Dear Mr Zuma, this is our wish

President Jacob Zuma. Picture: Felix Dlangamandla/Foto24

Good manners first: congratulations on your resounding landslide in Mangaung.

This week we remembered the wise words of one Julius Malema (remember him?), who once said: “If you want to suffer political embarrassment, you must challenge President Zuma.” He knew you quite well, hey?

The biggest advantage of your victory in that hot tent in Mangaung is that you don’t have to please all your different supporters in term two.

That must be quite a relief. You can actually now just govern, and if that’s your plan, we will back you all the way.

Less indecision, more action. That’s our wish for you in your second term.

Govern boldly and give effect to the fantastic National Development Plan, the pragmatic blueprint to fix South Africa.

Cyril Ramaphosa, its co-author, is now your deputy – use him well and don’t be threatened by his popular support or ambition.

The ANC that you lead is once again divided.

Not quite down the middle, but at least a quarter of supporters are upset and disillusioned after Mangaung.

You can’t really do anything about them; you entered the race and you won. Drop these hollow calls for unity and govern with the hand you’ve been dealt.

2013 is going to be a tough year for you, and for us.

Your mettle will be tested shortly when your party will try to push through the Protection of State Information Bill in Parliament.

Will you allow a flawed piece of legislation to be passed, one that could curb the freedoms the ANC struggled for?

The arms deal commission will probably call you to testify in the new year. Do it. Go there and speak the truth.

We cannot allow this scandal to drag on for another year.

You will earn the respect of everyone if you spill all the beans, even if you are embroiled in it.

The beginning of the 2013 school year is around the corner.

Do all schools, including every single one in Limpopo, have textbooks yet? Make this your first priority of term two.

A number of crucial institutions are still leaderless: the National Prosecuting Authority, both intelligence agencies and the Special Investigating Unit.

They all need good, strong heads to win the fight against crime, not loyal lapdogs who will try to win your favour.

May your second term be filled with less scandal and more success.

-City Press