President Jacob Zuma delivered his second State of the Nation last week amid mounting allegations of poor service delivery and growing concerns over the scandals brewing within his cabinet along with divisions within the ruling alliance and jostling for power by opposing factions. This week opposition parties have announced they intend to call for a vote of no confidence in the President. It is highly unlikely that such a move would be successful in removing President Zuma from office but given the ongoing tensions within the tri-partite alliance the vote may serve to further highlight some sections of discontent with the ruling party. Recent revelations about the President’s personal life (especially with regard to illegitimate children being uncovered) have placed further pressure on an already embattled President.

Zuma achieved a land slide victory in the 2009 Elections on a message reconnecting the ANC with the working classes and the majority of poor people, who stand to gain the most from improved service delivery. Many saw his early rhetoric as a significant move in the right direction for government, he made several surprise visits to municipal offices and police stations to inspect the work being done and reprimanded those who were not living up to the service delivery doctrine espoused by government. Yet despite promising early statements and an initial flurry of activity there has been little discernable change at the local level. Many citizens still complain bitterly of the poor delivery of basic services and some have recently been comparing Zuma and his leadership to Mbeki and the former administration. Even COSATU has now gone public with allegations that Zuma is not including the Union enough in matters of state. In particular, COSATU claims that the state of the nation address was drafted without the input of the Union and that the upcoming budget speech is also being kept from them. President Zuma of course has no obligation to share such matters with COSATU but during the run up to Zuma’s election it seems that agreements were made to create a government that is more inclusive and took greater heed of the input of the Union.

The challenge to the Zuma administration in 2010 is clear, host a successful and peaceful FIFA world cup that will market South Africa and showcase the country’s many positive attributes whilst simultaneously tackling some of South Africa’s most pressing domestic issues. The local and international media have been quick to point out that the primary obstacle to this will be the high level of crime in South Africa. The appointment of a new Police Commissioner, Beki Cele, was hailed and condemned at the time, some claiming that his appointment would signal a new era in crime fighting while others pointed to his lack of experience and gung ho attitude as indicative of Zuma’s showman like method of politics. Indeed, Cele, the Minister for Police Nathi Mthethwa and his deputy Fikile Mbalula have made some interesting statements since taking office, including pushing through a “shoot first, ask questions later” policy for Police Officers. Initially some sections of society were quite pleased that South Africa’s Police were being given the “freedom” to fight fire with fire but a few high profile blunders, including the shooting of a toddler who “appeared to be armed” have cast doubt on the new leadership’s ability to effectively combat crime. Furthermore, Minister Mthethwa’s threat to those hoping to commit crime during the world cup that “accidents happen” smacks somewhat of the apartheid era police who regularly classed detainees deaths as “accidents” with some claiming that having pick-pockets, muggers and hi-jackers “slipping on the soap while showering” would hardly be an attractive advert for the new democratic and tolerant South Africa. In his State of the Nation, Zuma announced plans to improve the fight against crime with vague promises of more police on the ground but did not elaborate further. Opposition parties and observers have been quick to point out that many of the promises made in his address could have been lifted directly from his same speech last year and that promises mean very little if they are not backed up by solid and effective action.

President Zuma must now live up to the promises and deliver on some of the most important elements of his election campaign. Protests and civil unrest have been flaring up in parts of the country due to dissatisfaction over poor service delivery and this dissatisfaction is being increasingly aimed at Zuma personally. His administration faces an uphill battle to restore reputations and popularity. It is highly unlikely that any vote of no confidence will unsettle the President but the goodwill of the general public is quickly draining away from Zuma’s cabinet and the next few months will be very telling in how municipal elections can be expected to go come 2011.