African National Congress (ANC) MP Dr Makhosi Khoza on Tuesday appealed to President Jacob Zuma to step down and allow moral and ethical leaders to lead the country onto a prosperous path.

Delivering her address to delegates of the Conference for the Future of South Africa, organised by civil society organisations Save South Africa and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Khoza urged Zuma to uphold the constitutions of the ANC and the country.

“When joining the ANC, I committed myself to join the ANC voluntarily and without motives of material advantage or personal gain. I am still upholding this commitment. Can this be the same with my President?” asked Khoza.

She added that Zuma appeared to promote tribalism by openly sarcastically labelling black intellectuals “clever blacks” when they expressed their views.  

Zuma made black intellectuals feel awkward for being black and smart, Khoza stated.

She pointed out that Zuma “yearned to be a king, hence his Nkandla royal homestead”, as he mimicked the royal lifestyles of better off traditional leaders, even while paying lip service to the dream of equality.

“In case I don’t make it to August 8, 2017, Mr President you are haunting the South African nation,” Khoza said.

“Please step down. Eleven-million South Africans voted for you and not just 1-million ANC members. 

“I am here because South Africans are speaking and I have to listen so that my ANC could be an effective instrument of liberation,” said Khoza.

The ANC was led by a President that had lost legitimacy and integrity and South Africa no longer needed Zuma, she noted, pointing to the option Zuma had to “save South Africa, save jobs, save the economy, save women and save South Africans” and avoid an utterly deplorable legacy.