What should have been a celebration of good governance and peaceful democratic elections in an African nation by the international community has instead been overshadowed by the dark cloud of corruption. In the last five years, Zuma's political career has been marred by scandal - first, because of his involvement in a controversial arms deal, and second and more troubling, because of allegations of rape. In 2005, a 31-year old HIV-positive woman claimed that Zuma, who is married (albeit to three women) raped her at his home in Johannesberg. Zuma contended that the sex was consensual. What is most troubling about this case, however, is Zuma's justification for his actions. He claimed that the young woman had worn a short skirt, which he understood as inviting him to take sexual action. When asked whether he feared contracting HIV from the woman, as he had unprotected sex, Zuma responded that he would not be infected because after having sex, he took a shower.
In any other country (I would hope), the mere uttering of the word "rape" and "presidential candidate" in the same sentence would mean an automatic disqualification from the race and political ostracization for a candidate. However, for Zuma, the allegations seem to have had little effect on his presidential aspirations. Though a large number of South Africans protested Zuma and his actions, a considerable number of Zuma's supporters blamed the Zuma's victim, even going so far as burning her image while chanting "Burn the bitch!"
If this is the kind of leader that South Africa has chosen, I worry for the future of the country. South Africa has long been one of the most stable nations in the continent, but what kind of example does this new president send to its people and the world?
What kind of message does Zuma's adulterous actions send to wives in South Africa? South Africa has a tremendously high HIV/AIDS rate. What kind of message does its president send to his people by claiming to have protected himself from the virus by showering?
What kind of message do Zuma's supporters send to rape victims all over South Africa? That rape is the fault of the victim and not the victimizer? That those who have been raped and who speak out can be abused by their communities?
Issues like these run too deep for comfort. Injustices and prejudices are defeated not in days, months, or sometimes even years, but in generations; Zuma's election has undoubtedly impeded women's rights in South Africa by showing that injustices against women, such as rape, are socially acceptable. So, though South Africa may have embarked on a new path on May 9th, the road the nation will travel in the future will be nothing more than bittersweet.
