The Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions [ASASWEI] and the National Association of Social Workers, South Africa [NASW, SA] – statement on President Jacob Zuma
Is President Zuma’s call for a national dialogue on a moral code [Sunday Times, 21/2/2010] an attempt to deflect attention from the nation’s outcry about his conduct – an attempt to intellectualize and rationalize his behaviour in the guise of debate on cultural diversity? Is it not so that all extant religions and cultures frown upon the indiscriminate fathering of children with non-marital partners [polygamy is not in question here]? Is challenging cultures that are counterproductive to the well being of women and children not one of the cornerstones of a deepened democracy? What when one’s conduct and assertions are a denigration of the very culture that one claims to uphold? ASASWEI and NASW, SA express their deep disappointment about President Zuma’s conduct and they call upon the President, if he is seriously concerned about the moral regeneration of South Africa as a nation, and about the development of youth in particular to, in some demonstrable ways show that there are negative consequences to the behaviours that we choose. South Africa is in a crisis of enormous proportions, with poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS and the general sense of nihilism that permeates the lives of the poor – the majority being African Black. As President, Mr Zuma ought to represent all that we want South Africa to be, and all the values that he purported to hold in his past positions as champion of the Moral Regeneration Movement, when he was Deputy President of the country and Chairperson of the National Aids Coalition. In his various leadership positions, Mr Zuma has publicly exhorted young people to work toward the moral regeneration of our country, to know about HIV/AIDS, to engage in preventive efforts and to use condoms. It is evident that the President does not apply this to his own life. By virtue of his position as President, he is revered by many and young people are not going to do as he says but as he does! The cliché still holds true: Action speaks louder than words
Among the critical focus areas of the Moral Regeneration Movement are the following:
As champion of the Moral Regeneration Movement, whose primary mission was restoration of the moral fibre of our society, Mr Zuma made several public comments. The following are reproduced here:
“…moral renewal is the responsibility of every South African, not just the leadership of the Moral Regeneration Movement, or the leadership in government or civil society … Every South African must be a moral regeneration agent … all South Africans need to play their part in the promotion of national morals and values (Zuma, 19 September, 2003, Bisho: www.mrm.org.za)
“ … The building of strong families should be the cornerstone of the campaign, as families are the foundation of communities and nations” (Zuma, 24 October 2003, Cape Town: www.mrm.org.za)
As the social work profession we are constantly confronted with challenges placed on women and children by structural socio-economic and cultural inequalities, power imbalances and by reckless behavior such as that exhibited by the President. We therefore condemn the behavior of the President with the contempt it deserves. We are calling upon the President to not only apologize this time but to take the country into confidence on how he is going to deal with this and to make a clear commitment to behave responsibly henceforth, whether he remains in the Presidency or not. The concern is that a national dialogue might be a strategic move to deflect attention away from the import of his actions. As human beings perhaps none of us is above reproach, but when we are in the public eye and we enjoy its glories we must be equally willing to accept its condemnations.
The moral fibre of our country is under severe threat if leaders are unable to demonstrate responsible behavior in their private lives. There is a swelling of social problems in our communities and there are fewer role models that demonstrate responsible behavior. This situation is even more aggravated when senior statesmen are propagating this kind of behavior with impunity and brazenness, without respect for the rights of children and women. How does one stand up on a podium and pronounce lofty plans to confront the threat of AIDS and HIV whilst they continue to behave in a manner that undermines the very statements about safe sex and responsible sexual behavior. Certainly South Africans are astute and sensible enough to see that this behavior is not progressive. As social workers we witness first hand the consequences of absentee fathers, the pain and trauma engendered by multiple sexual partners, and the consequences of HIV/AIDS in relation to poverty, death and orphanhood – all of which pose major threats to South Africa’s development.
We believe that our country will continue to strive to build foundations of strong and stable families, and that the most felicitous start to life for a child remains being born planned for and wanted by both parents. As social workers who are committed to building families and building lives we condemn the threat of moral degeneration that is gripping our country. We advocate for a clear and unequivocal condemnation of reckless behavior amongst our leaders.
“ … The building of strong families should be the cornerstone of the campaign, as families are the foundation of communities and nations” (Zuma, 24 October 2003, Cape Town: www.mrm.org.za)
As the social work profession we are constantly confronted with challenges placed on women and children by structural socio-economic and cultural inequalities, power imbalances and by reckless behavior such as that exhibited by the President. We therefore condemn the behavior of the President with the contempt it deserves. We are calling upon the President to not only apologize this time but to take the country into confidence on how he is going to deal with this and to make a clear commitment to behave responsibly henceforth, whether he remains in the Presidency or not. The concern is that a national dialogue might be a strategic move to deflect attention away from the import of his actions. As human beings perhaps none of us is above reproach, but when we are in the public eye and we enjoy its glories we must be equally willing to accept its condemnations.
The moral fibre of our country is under severe threat if leaders are unable to demonstrate responsible behavior in their private lives. There is a swelling of social problems in our communities and there are fewer role models that demonstrate responsible behavior. This situation is even more aggravated when senior statesmen are propagating this kind of behavior with impunity and brazenness, without respect for the rights of children and women. How does one stand up on a podium and pronounce lofty plans to confront the threat of AIDS and HIV whilst they continue to behave in a manner that undermines the very statements about safe sex and responsible sexual behavior. Certainly South Africans are astute and sensible enough to see that this behavior is not progressive. As social workers we witness first hand the consequences of absentee fathers, the pain and trauma engendered by multiple sexual partners, and the consequences of HIV/AIDS in relation to poverty, death and orphanhood – all of which pose major threats to South Africa’s development.
We believe that our country will continue to strive to build foundations of strong and stable families, and that the most felicitous start to life for a child remains being born planned for and wanted by both parents. As social workers who are committed to building families and building lives we condemn the threat of moral degeneration that is gripping our country. We advocate for a clear and unequivocal condemnation of reckless behavior amongst our leaders.
We do not subscribe to the notion that President Zuma’s public portfolio must be separated from his personal life, especially in this instance were his private life is characteristic of so many young men. We need a transformational leader who leads by example and who can negate the sense of hopelessness that permeates our societies and who provides hope for a better South Africa – a South Africa truly founded in the values espoused by the Moral Regeneration Movement. Mr Zuma represents the public interests and if caring for his multiple partners and twenty children involves tax-payers money … then his conduct falls squarely within the ambit of the public gaze!
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