Zuma Zooms to the Top

Just seven months after being elected President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma has received the prestigious African President of the Year Award for 2009!

The award, an initiative of the African Consciousness Media and the Kenneth Kaunda Foundation, is bestowed upon an African leader to recognise and honour their achievements.

During his speech – at the African Consciousness Media Leadership Awards ceremony in Johannesburg last week – President Zuma said “As we accept these awards, it is proper that we pay special tribute to our African elders who fought for freedom and independence.”

He added that “while individuals are singled out for awards, this ceremony is also about acknowledging the collective efforts of Africa’s people to build a better life”.

Zuma said that “to promote good governance, we established the African Peer Review Mechanism. To foster economic integration and development, we established the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. These must be the instruments we use to advance the cause of our continent.”

He observed that when leaders falter; they expect citizens, academics and the media to sound warning bells.

“Good leaders heed these warnings and respond constructively,” said Zuma. “They do not consider themselves to be above their people.”

He also noted the responsibility of a leader to their people, and said “a true leader is guided by the needs and the collective wisdom of the people. These awards should therefore not be about status or prestige, but service and sacrifice.”