Mshini wami just not presidential

ANC leader Jacob Zuma belts out his trademark song Mshini Wami on the last day of the 2007 Polokwane conference. Picture: Cedric Mboyisa

Awulethe uMshini Wami (“Bring Me My Machine Gun”) is synonymous with ANC leader Jacob Zuma.

The liberation song characterised Zuma's ascendancy to the party's top position. He used it as he faced his “trials and tribulations” en route to trouncing former president Thabo Mbeki in Polokwane. It was clear that JZ's trademark song was aimed at those perceived to be behind a plot to derail his political ambitions. JZ even added his bit to the liberation song, saying Musa Ukungibambezela (“Stop delaying or deferring me”).

Former ANC chairman Mosioua “Terror” Lekota and others disapproved of Mshini Wami, saying it was more like a war cry and irrelevant in the current dispensation. But JZ and his supporters continued singing it anyway, especially at ANC rallies and events. In fact JZ has become some sort of a superstar for his peculiar rendition of the popular liberation song.

But methinks that Zuma, the President, ought not to sing such a song. Mshini Wami is clearly an ANC song, and should be sung in events or at gatherings associated with the ruling party. It's totally unpresidential for Zuma to belt out this song in his capacity as the head of state. It does not matter whether Mr President is egged on by or prompted by people, as was the case when he recently visited Bafana Bafana, to sing or join in singing Mshini Wami.

So please, Mr President don't sing Mshini Wami in your capacity as the SA's first citizen. But you can have a blast singing it as the leader of the ruling party.