Zuma was appointed SADC mediator to the Zimbabwean crisis after he assumed leadership of the African National Congress in 2009.
Political analyst, Charles Mangongera, commended Zuma and his mediation team for maintaining a firm stance against President Robert Mugabe with regards to the implementation of political reforms that will pave way for free and fair polls.
“I think Zuma has made significant progress in his role as the SADC facilitator because he has been able to keep his eye on the ball. The mediation team has been impartial in terms of dealing with the Harare situation,” said Mangongera.
Mangongera said Zuma had managed, through his firm stance on Mugabe, to avoid elections being held in an environment that was not conducive.
“If Zuma and SADC had not stood their ground on reforms before elections, Mugabe would have unilaterally called for polls. Zuma’s winning of a second term as ANC President will strengthen him to push for reforms in Zimbabwe,” said Mangongera.
Another analyst, Christopher Mutsvangwa, said Zuma’s greatest success was uniting Zimbabweans despite their political differences.
“Even if you look at the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President, you will discover that it has improved,” said Mutsvangwa.
He said there was a great shift from the days of Mbeki’s mediation when Zuma took over.
Mutsvangwa however blasted “over ambitious politicians” and Zuma’s international relations advisor, Lindiwe Zulu, for trying to throw spanners into the “good work being done by the South African President”.
“There are politicians like Welshman Ncube who thrive on grievances and want to destruct the mediation process. We also have Lindiwe Zulu who would like to think that she can shape the future of Zimbabwe,” said Mutsvangwa.
Other political analysts said Zuma was walking the same path as Mbeki who attracted much criticism for his failure to adequately address the Zimbabwean issue.
Political analyst, John Makumbe said Zuma was failing to find a solution to the Zimbabwean crisis. “The implementation of agreed reforms has not taken place up to date.
Zuma has been busy with his South African situation and he has not pushed the parties to implement the agreed reforms,” said Makumbe.
SADC has reiterated that Zimbabwe should fully implement reforms agreed in the Global Political Agreement before the country goes for elections. The position was reaffirmed at a SADC summit held in Tanzania in December last year.
Makumbe said Zuma was a disappointment to Zimbabweans.
“He (Zuma) has a very poor showing of what he was asked by SADC to do. Zimbabweans are very disappointed in Jacob Zuma because he has not performed and the crisis in Zimbabwe is still in place,” said Makumbe.
Media analyst, Pedzisayi Ruhanya, said there was little to show for Zuma’s efforts. He said Zuma had failed in his mediation role especially with regards to the implementation of media reforms ahead of elections.
“The broadcasting sector still remains under the control of Zanu (PF) and the environment in which journalists from the private media are operating remains toxic. SADC has not been able to address that,” said Ruhanya.
Post published in: Analysis