Former president Jacob Zuma set foot in Parliament on Friday for the first time since he was forced to step down from office by the ANC six years ago.

Zuma’s appearance in the parliamentary corridors took place during the debate on the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) delivered by his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He snubbed the opening of Parliament just as he had done with the State of the Nation Addresses since Ramaphosa took the reins in 2018.

Zuma’s attendance at the debate was not without drama though.

uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) MP France Mfiki sang his praises on seeing him and shouted: “Msholozi, welcome to the House.” This was as the OPA debate was under way with Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald on the podium and National Council of Provinces chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane presiding over the proceedings.

As the following speaker, Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba started to participate in the debate, MK Party MP and national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela interrupted her with a point of order.

“We have a former statesman in the House. He has not been recognised. Please recognise president Jacob Zuma for being in the House,” Ndhlela said.

Mtsweni-Tsipane did not sustain his point of order. “Honourable (Premier), can you please take the podium,” she told Ramathuba.

Zuma was welcomed by MK Party MP SM Mokoena after several speakers had spoken.

“I would like to do a special welcome to my party president, president Zuma. We thank you, president Zuma that you were confident enough to formulate MK as a party for the people,” Mokoena said.

National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams expressed his dismay that Zuma’s presence was not recognised. “It is deplorable that this House can’t recognise a former president of this country but it was willing to recognise an apartheid president FW de Klerk.

“If former president Jacob Zuma is here, welcome sir,” Adams said.

Zuma’s daughter and MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla tweeted that Zuma came to support their parliamentary leader John Hlophe.

She shared pictures of Zuma with Hlophe and herself.

During the debate earlier, the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) took centre stage.

Hlophe slammed the establishment of the GNU by the “Ramaphosa faction and DA”.

“My question is with what magic do you hope to force national unity between the oppressor and the oppressed?

“Our position is clear that when the ANC could not secure a majority it became desperate. The so-called GNU was no more than a desperate and deliberate attempt to hold on to power.

That is all it is about,” Hlophe said.

DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said the GNU was South Africa’s chance to free itself from populism, division and economic decline. “This is our opportunity to build South Africa into a prosperous country together. That is exactly what the DA is going to do in the executive and in Parliament.

“We are in this Government of National Unity because we have said loud and clear that we want to build South Africa,” Steenhuisen said.

EFF leader Julius Malema said Ramaphosa had chosen the side of the oppressor when forming the GNU.

“We reject this coalition led by the DA under the pretence of the so-called GNU,” Malema said. IFP leader and Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said the GNU was not about politics but the will of the people and the future of the country.

“We will continue to play our role constructively in the GNU for the good of the country.

“The GNU is a bold and necessary step in the right direction.

“We have to position South Africa to embark on a journey to rebuild herself and the future of our generation and generations to come,” Hlabisa said.

ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli said the GNU sought to address the comprehensive needs of the masses of people.

“The ANC parliamentary caucus stands ready to support the seventh administration to ensure stability and prosperity of our country and the continent,” Ntuli said.

Cape Times

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Zuma back in Parliament for first time since he was axed