EMPANGENI, SOUTH AFRICA JULY 18: President Jacob Zuma during a Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture to commemorate Mandela Day on July 18, 2017 in Empangeni, South Africa. Zuma said, there were constant attempts to put Mandela on a pedestal and make him seem better than other black people and his ANC comrades. (Photo by Gallo Images / The Times / Thuli Dlamini)
EMPANGENI, SOUTH AFRICA JULY 18: President Jacob Zuma during a Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture to commemorate Mandela Day on July 18, 2017 in Empangeni, South Africa. Zuma said, there were constant attempts to put Mandela on a pedestal and make him seem better than other black people and his ANC comrades. (Photo by Gallo Images / The Times / Thuli Dlamini)
As the ANC National Executive gather on Monday to “finalise” the future of Jacob Zuma, South Africa remains at fever pitch. The push for a #ZumaExit enters fifth gear, and it seems like the government are now ready to see the back of him.
Twitter is forever a source of subtle banter and indirect put-downs. That now looks as if it extends to the South African government, too. Their official account on the social media platform has made a very thinly-veiled dig at the outgoing President.
And what better way to throw shade than by quoting Nelson Mandela? Go on, see if you can spot what they did, here:
Good morning SA! We wish you a wonderful week. In whatever you plan to do, remember, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) February 12, 2018
Clever, hey? Jacob Zuma has dug his heels firmly in the ground this week, refusing to resign unless alleged demands were met. These are said to include Zuma chasing a plea bargain deal for testimony in the state capture inquiry. As of Monday 12 February, these thankfully have not been met.
And of course, 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela. Cape Town was the location for the ANC’s official #Mandela100 celebrations over the weekend. The government’s social media are still fully in the spirit, waving Zuma off with a middle finger rather than a thumbs up.
Needless to say, their subtelty didn’t go unnoticed…
Is this supposed to be a sub-tweet?
— Petru Saal (@petrusaal) February 12, 2018
Your quote relates to #Zuma #ZumaExit wow
— LANGEH (@LANGTONMOYO) February 12, 2018
Are you talking about Zexit “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
— Cde. Sipho Nkonde (@SiphoNkonde) February 12, 2018
With Jacob Zuma all but certain to face recall from the ANC today, the government’s cryptic message is one for us all to remember. Each day that passes is one day closer to the end of the Zuma regime