“Zuma Inherited The Spectacular Mbeki Economy & Ramaphosa Inherited Disastrous Zuma” Tara Roos Say

Tara Roos has weighed in on South Africa’s political landscape, arguing that former President Jacob Zuma’s political resurgence was driven largely by voters who had become disillusioned with the African National Congress (ANC), as well as supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

Roos made the remarks while reflecting on the electoral performance of Zuma and the emergence of the MK Party ahead of South Africa’s recent political developments. According to Roos, Zuma achieved an extraordinary political feat by launching a new political party only months before an election and still managing to attract significant electoral support.

“It’s only @PresJGZuma who can start a party six months before elections and come back with a 14%, but @MkhontoweSizwe voters and disillusioned @MYANC voters,” Roos said.

Her comments appear to highlight the extent to which the MK Party was able to capitalise on dissatisfaction among sections of the electorate. The party, established under Zuma’s leadership, made a significant impact in the 2024 general election, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where it emerged as the largest party in the province.

Roos also turned her attention to debates surrounding South Africa’s economic performance during Zuma’s presidency. She rejected the argument that people who express nostalgia for the so-called “Zuma economy” have a proper understanding of the economic circumstances inherited by successive administrations.

“Another thing, people who say they miss the Zuma economy don’t know economics,” she said.

Roos argued that Zuma inherited economic consequences from the administration of former President Thabo Mbeki. In her assessment, economic conditions should not be viewed in isolation from the policies and challenges inherited from previous governments.

“Zuma inherited the consequences of the spectacular Mbeki economy,” Roos said, drawing attention to the continuity of economic conditions between different administrations.

Her argument then extended to the presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa, whom she said inherited serious economic difficulties from the Zuma administration. According to Roos, the challenges facing the country today are partly connected to the economic conditions that accumulated under previous governments.

“The same way @CyrilRamaphosa inherited the disastrous Zuma economy and these are the consequences,” she added.

The remarks have contributed to an ongoing debate about the extent to which South Africa’s economic difficulties can be attributed to individual presidents or should instead be understood as the result of long-term structural challenges.

South Africa has faced persistent problems including slow economic growth, high unemployment, electricity shortages, rising public debt and significant inequality. These challenges have continued across successive administrations, making economic accountability a politically sensitive issue.

Roos’ comments also underline the political significance of voter dissatisfaction. The emergence of the MK Party demonstrated that a substantial section of the electorate was willing to move away from traditional political loyalties, particularly in areas where dissatisfaction with the ANC had become pronounced.

The debate over Zuma’s legacy therefore extends beyond his political influence and into questions about South Africa’s economic trajectory. Supporters and critics continue to disagree sharply over his record, with some crediting his administration for certain social and political initiatives while others point to corruption allegations, governance failures and economic difficulties associated with his tenure.

Roos’ assessment places both the political rise of the MK Party and South Africa’s economic challenges within a broader historical context, arguing that voters and political commentators should consider what each administration inherited before assigning responsibility for the country’s current circumstances.

Source; https://x.com/Absolute_Kganki/status/2107807474195538355