Jacob Zuma finally responds to Cyril Ramaphosa's remarks about nine wasted years

Former President Jacob Zuma stated that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ‘nine wasted years’ utterances were a false narrative that needed to be addressed through a book in order for it to remain in the minds of the people for a longer period of time.

Zuma said at the launch of his book, “Jacob Zuma Speaks,” in Durban on Friday that it was a direct response to Ramaphosa, who said his nine years as president were a waste.

He was surprised by what the president said, given that he was involved in everything that happened during those nine years as deputy president. Zuma stated that Ramaphosa was the best person to tell the people what the government had done during the nine years he was his deputy, but he chose to refer to them as “nine wasted years.”

“I did not mind being criticised after leaving the government because it was common everywhere that when the president has left office he would be criticised, but I never expected to be criticised by the person that was my deputy. I initially thought I should ignore this and let it go and would have not bothered to respond if it was said by an ordinary person or some journalist because I would assume that person did not know what he was saying but because it was the country’s number two I felt I should respond to him to correct the false narrative this had created in society that for nine years I did nothing as president,” said Zuma.

He stated that he considered responding with a statement and speaking, but realised that this would be insufficient because people would forget a few days later, so he decided to put his response in a book that people would always refer to for years to come. Zuma also stated that he wanted to respond before he died because he would have a problem in heaven when Oliver Tambo asked what happened and why he did not respond and denied it?

The former president urged people to read the book and consider how they can help the country.

He mentioned his decision to announce free education despite opposition in some excerpts from the book. He claimed he was told there was no money to fund free education, but he went ahead and announced it anyway, telling those who opposed him that the money would come from the Public Investment Corporation, which holds government employees’ pensions. He stated that it was a fulfilment of the Freedom Charter, which stated that doors to education should be open to all.

Zuma also discussed the importance of the ocean economy and South Africa’s BRICS membership, which he claims has the potential to grow the country’s economy. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are members of the BRICS economic bloc.

He believes South Africa has a good chance of becoming a world player in the UN by leveraging Russia and China’s veto power in the security council. Zuma said there were a lot of economic opportunities lying idle in the sea, adding that by this time he thought there would be a boat from Durban to Richards Bay, which would ease road transport congestion and reduce deadly crashes on the N2.

Zululand deputy vice-chancellor Professor Sipho Seepe and Kim Heller co-wrote the book, which also included contributions from JG Foundation chairperson Dudu Myeni. Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and advocate Dali Mpofu were among those who attended the event.