After the shocking removal of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma. Next came the #BlackMonday movement by a group of South African citizens, which aimed to unite the country in standing up against the president – but ended up backfiring and causing more racial divide amongst South Africans. Then the global rating agency Standard & Poor (S&P) downgraded South Africa to junk status, effectively adding the final nail to the country’s already negative outlook.
Now, in another move that adds increased pressure to calls for Zuma’s resignation, private citizen Melissa Smith has organised a march challenging the president’s actions at Iziko Museum in the Company’s Garden at 12 pm this Friday 7 April.
The DA initially also called on South Africans to march to Luthuli House on Friday in support of their motion for no-confidence petition. However, following a statement by IFP president Mangosuthu Buthelezi who says the march may be seen as a provocative act, the DA will no longer be marching to the ANC headquarters.
Instead, DA leader Mmusi Maimane has invited ANC leaders Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, secretary general Gwede Mantashe and treasurer general Zweli Mkhize to address the rally after they publicly declared their disapproval of Zuma’s decision to fire five ministers, including the finance minister and his deputy.
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Photography Getty Images