Zuma was reminded of his political activism against an unjust government‚ during the apartheid era‚ which included time served on Robben Island.
“You are a product of our continent’s oldest living liberation movement… You truly know what bad governance is all about. You lived and suffered through it. You fought against it‚” the letter states.
“You are being asked by friends‚ foes‚ insiders and outsiders‚ to step aside‚ to excuse yourself from the role of president‚ for the sake of a greater good.
“The greater good is moral authority. You no longer have it.”
South Africa has a heritage of leadership that listens to its people‚ the letter states.
The activists issued this appeal to Zuma: “We ask you now to dig deep within your soul‚ rise above your denial and patronage network‚ and surprise us by continuing this robust tradition of leaders who know when to rise up and step down.”
The letter published by Daily Vox listed these signatories‚ “in our personal capacity”:
1. Suntosh R Pillay‚ Chairperson of the Board of Directors‚ Mandela Rhodes Community‚ South Africa; 2. Jake Okechukwu Effoduh‚ Assistant Director of the Council on African Security and Development (CASADE)‚ Nigeria; 3. Dzikamai Francis Bere‚ Transitional Justice Researcher‚ Zimbabwe; 4. Wawira Njiru‚ Founder and Executive Director of Food for Education‚ Kenya; 5. Chris Nkwatsibwe‚ Youth Activist and Founder of the Young Leaders Think-Thank‚ Uganda; 6. Nkosikhona Swartbooi‚ Chairperson of the Social Justice Coalition‚ South Africa; 7. Emmanuel Ametepey‚ Founder and Executive Director of Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG)‚ Ghana; 8. Alhassan Ziblim‚ Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Development and Policy Advocacy (CEDEPA)‚ Ghana; 9. Astrid R.N. Haas‚ Economist‚ Uganda; 10. Kennedy Mugume‚ Environmental activist at Bunyoro Albertine Petroleum Network on Environmental Conservation (BAPENECO)‚ Uganda; 11. Edwin Kibui Rwigi‚ Project Manager at Fahamu Networks for Social Justice‚ Kenya; 12. Marianne Akumu‚ Transitional justice coordinator‚ Uganda; 13. Telana Halley-Starkey‚ State Law Advisor‚ South Africa.
