2 Comments
User's avatar
Nicholas Woode-Smith's avatar

A stable nation-state requires consistency across governing structures. But it's for that very reason that South Africa isn't and shouldn't be a nation-state. Zuma should be agitating for federalism and local autonomy. But I doubt he wants to give up that much potential control.

Expand full comment
Ayanda S Zulu's avatar

They're centralists who are also against constitutionalism because it serves as a barrier to their autocratic ambitions. There are several countries across the world that have integrated this institution into their existing constitutional frameworks. We have more or less done the same thing in SA, and I see nothing wrong with that. Zuma's real target is constitutionalism, and that's why I can't agree with him on this.

Expand full comment