Change, or step down, please Mr President

Published Apr 7, 2017

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Recently, a number of young South Africans have voiced their opinions about the state of the country in open letters to President Zuma, as well as at protests and on social media.

This generation, which had previously been largely insulated from the political turmoil in the country, are the first beneficiaries of the post-apartheid South Africa. They are the ones whose parents and grandparents were at the forefront of the struggle for liberation.

These millenials are also the ones who have been born with a sense of entitlement – to education, services and a higher standard of living than their ancestors – which has made them determined to own their space in society and voice their feelings in ways previous generations were never able to.

Previously this group has been largely apathetic about - or unwilling to engage in - politics, but recent events in South Africa seem to have awoken a new sense of duty to their country and desire to right the wrongs.

Earlier this week, IOL published

in which he called for President Zuma to step down. 

In this open letter to President Jacob Zuma, 17-year-old Kamryn Smith pleads with him to change his style of leadership or step down.

An Open to Letter to Mr Zuma

Dear Mr Zuma. I am hurting. My country is hurting. Not just because of the sudden reshuffle but because of years of compounded turbulence that our country has seen at the hands of you. Our citizens may not all be political experts but we can see that your mismanagement of governance is causing major mayhem, confusion, separation and overall dissatisfaction. And that is putting it mildly.

Mr Zuma, you are not a representation of the ANC who prides itself on its key obejctive of a united society. You represent the helm of corrupt leaders who's key objective is a divided society. Specifically- the government and the people.

I do not stand for you and your high incompetence of leading my beloved South Africa into true freedom of political bondage.

We are a country with the utmost potential in our hands and can truly be accessed with good leadership. I am confident in our abilities to become a leading nation that we are wholly proud to be associated with.

Mr President, we do thank you for your service to South Africa. Your time served on Robben Island alongside Mr Mandela for the fight for democracy is notable.

But, as a leader, you are detrimental to the future of our country. You have dilapidated the status of SA and inherently you are affecting the future of your own loved ones too.

I am urging you to please change your ways of leadership that would benefit, not only you, but the whole of South Africa. Or if you choose not to comply with the calls of many citizens – please step down.

A 17 year old saddened by the state of her cradle.

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