Zuma hits back

President Zuma delivered a parliamentary speech this week in response to reactions by political parties to his state of the nation address. During the debate on the president's state of the nation address, lawmakers described President Zuma as a corrupt, broken man who has broken the South African economy. Some politicians went as far as saying he was not worthy to be called honorable.

But the President struck back declaring that South Africa was on the right path and urged his critics to stop playing the man and start playing the ball. "Indeed the country is on track. Work continues daily to build the country and improve the quality of life of all especially the poor and the working class," Zuma said. "South Africa is a success story."

However in an exclusive interview with DW, Mmusi Maimane, parliamentary leader of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance said his party isn't impressed by Zuma's defense. "The president needed to play to his own internal audience," Maimane said.

Facing challenges

Zuma accepted the fact that the country was indeed facing challenges on many fronts but that his government was determined to tackle all the issues raised during the debate. They include: improving economic growth, creating jobs, strengthening the country's democracy and investing in the youth.

DA spokesperson Maimane said Zuma needs to clarify how he intends to deal with socio-economic problems facing the country. "He failed to give South Africans confidence, he certainly did not inspire people around energy, he did not confirm where he would actually create jobs – he certainly did not respond to that, which is a worrying trend."

After heaping praise on leader of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Julius Malema and the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Mangosuthu Buthelezi, for what he described as dealing with the content of his speech constructively, the 72 year-old leader lashed out at those who hurled insults at him during the debate of his state of the nation address.

"Even if we differ, I always see no reason why we should get angry. This is not war. We are not fighting," Zuma said to which members of the ruling ANC responded with laughter. He went on to add that anger clouds the capacity to think reasonably.

Zuma: Mandela's bad example?

Zuma had strong words for the Democratic Alliance that accused his ANC led government of betraying the aspirations and dreams of former President Nelson Mandela.

"I believe in what was said many times by our leader Mandela. We always keep quiet when those who imprisoned him, praise him today, not just praise him, claim him as their own," the president said in an apparent reference to the mostly white dominated Democratic Alliance.

South Africa's political analyst Abdul Waheed Patel says President Zuma's speech was a declaration that he is still in charge and in full control. "Clearly the president was sending a message that he is not going to be deterred by what came out of the opposition benches last week," Patel said. "Zuma wants to demonstrate that he has got the energy and that he is informing government's program of action in changing the historical impact of South Africa's history."

However, opposition lawmaker Maimane says President Zuma "understood that there were many legal challenges around his [presidential] bid and that he is focused only on his own survival". Maimune believes Zuma missed another chance to speak to the South Africans.

"He uses power as a vehicle to really stay out of jail, while in fact the country's economic issues are being left aside."

Clarity on land ownership policy

Maimane applauded Zuma for clarifying the issue on foreign land ownership during his speech. "I am glad that he made the distinction between whether this was agricultural land or foreign owned land," Maimane said, but he also added that the DA still believes "that the pronouncement is a populist one in a country where foreign land ownership is low."

Zuma explained that his government's stance on denying foreigners land ownership rights was not vindictive but was meant to address colonial imbalances.

Maimane said there needs to be a discussion about how the land ownership policy is going to help the agricultural industry in terms of "its ability to attract foreign investments and produce enough food for South Africans."

The DA politician said they will continue to keep the president accountable on issues that affect the citizens.