12 Things Jacob Zuma Has in Common with PW Botha

In 2014 President Jacob Zuma, while defending state money spent on Nkandla, referred to former president PW Botha having George airport built near his private home in Wilderness – obviously saying that if Botha could do it, so could he. Two years later, the comparisons between the two men have only multiplied.

1. Botha was leader of the ruling National Party as well as the government.

Zuma is leader of the ruling African National Congress as well as the government.

2. By the early 1980s the South African economy was tanking under Botha – weighed down by the policies of apartheid and the effects of sanctions.

After seven years under Zuma, the economy is tanking, without the sanctions.

3. Botha ruled for 11 years.

Zuma is meant to rule for 10 years, but has three to go still.

4. Botha was know as “Die Groot Krokodil”, the big crocodile.

Zuma’s middle name is Gedleyihlekisa, which means the one who laughs while grinding his enemies.

5. Over 10 years, from 1977 to 1981 to 1987, the National Party’s presence in the national assembly went from 64.8 percent to 56.9 percent to 52 percent.

Over 10 years, From 2004 to 2009 to 2014, the ANC’s presence in the assembly has gone from 69.7 percent to 65.9 percent to 62 percent. (Source Wikipedia.)

6. Everyone was expecting PW to make huge concessions at his Rubicon speech and he made none.

Everyone expected Zuma to step down after the Constitutional Court ruling over Nkandla, but he just said sorry.

7. After Botha’s 1985 Rubicon speech, there was a flight of capital, a debt crisis, and the rand dropped the next day from 44.5 U.S. cents to 38.5 U.S. cents (now it’s equal to 6 U.S. cents).

After Zuma fired Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister in December 2015, there was a flight of capital, a national crisis, and the currency tumbled from under R15 to the dollar to as high as almost R18.

8. PW used his securocrats to stay in power.

Zuma has been accused of using securocrats and strategically placed officials to keep him in power.

9. Botha was 73 when he had a stroke in January 1989 and stepped down in August.

Zuma is 73.

10. Under Botha, the country was seriously depressed, there were riots and burning in the townships, and there was police and army action against them.

Under Zuma, the country is seriously depressed, there are riots and burning in townships and on university campuses, and there is police and army action against them.

11. Botha had a self-appointed successor (Barend du Plessis), but FW de Klerk took over.

If Zuma has a self-appointed successor, it is probably his former wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and few people want her to take over.

12. Lots of NP members wanted Botha out, but didn’t know how to get it done.

Lots of ANC members reportedly want Zuma out but haven’t been able to do it.