High Noon In Parliament

 Dear Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma 

I was deeply moved by your ringing declaration during the furniture upholstery vote in parliament. 

"As a disciplined member of the ANC, I vote yes"

Of course, it might have been a bit premature, as I imagine that you may be disciplined later.

Your speech evoked echoes of Churchill's "fight them on the beaches" speech. Okay, it was shorter, not as eloquent, not as convincing, delivery a little flat. But in every other respect, uncannily similar. Or am I thinking of Bheki Cele's 'fight them on the beaches' speech?

This is quite consistent with your principled stand during the exciting Zuma years. An excerpt from a 2017 news report:

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has lashed out at those who voted against President Jacob Zuma in the motion of no confidence vote that took place on 8 August.

Like the sheriff in High Noon, you faced them down then, too. Your critics say that this is contradictory, hypocritical, opportunistic. I say that 2017 was a long time ago. A lot can change in a week in politics. Let alone a couple of years. What the heck, it's the principle, isn't it? And Jacob Zuma was the principal actor back then.

You made this insightful point:

"No-one is above the ANC and anyone who thinks they are above it has lost their consciousness," 

You did seem to have your consciousness when you voted. Of course, it can be hard to tell with our ministers and MPs. 

There was this postscript to that 2017 saga:

The crowd also cheered when ANC Youth League general secretary Njabulo Nzuza said that the Members of Parliament who had voted against the ANC had to be hunted down and kicked out of the organisation.

That seems rather excessive. No need for hunting. Everybody knows who and where the honourable members are.

Bravo for making that walk down the deserted high street, curtains twitching on each side. I assume that the actual shootout is yet to come. Keep those six-shooters oiled.

No parliamentary drama is complete without some mystery.  Did some key actors go missing during the vote? Ms Sisulu perhaps among them? It happens. Moments of stress and high drama can affect the bowels and bladder. Happened to me during a Sharks vs Bulls game. Perfectly understandable.

Yours in the struggle for consistency, a principled stand and bladder control.

Richard 

Tips for the blogger gratefully accepted 

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