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So, recently Zuma shuffled his cabinet, most notably replacing Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, as well as Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas. This shuffle has caused the Rand to fall by more than 5% in the matter of a few days, as well as South Africa being regulated to junk status. The consequences of this move are already being felt, and will be felt for years to come. According to some economists, a recession is inevitable because of this. What is certain is that the state will now have to pay more rent on its debt, which translates into either a cut in fiscal spending or an increase in taxes, or possibly both.

Despite this irresponsible move, Zuma has come away from it largely unscathed thus far. Three of the ANCs top six had spoken out against his move, but later retracted their criticisms, stating that it was a mistake. Nationwide protests were launched to show the publics discontent with Zumas action, as well as calling for his resignation. Nothing has come of these protests. Zuma is still in power.

The nations hope lies in the coming vote of no confidence, which might be an anonymous vote, pending the findings of the Constitutional Court. An anonymous vote might mean the end of Zuma, as his ANC party members can vote based on their conscience without fear of repercussions.

Now, for the point of this essay. Zuma is not only a threat to the ANC and the South African economy, but to South Africas democracy itself.

Democratization is not an event, but it is a process. Democratic consolidation also takes place on three stages, namely the structural stage, the attitudinal stage and the behavioural stage. The stages that will be focused on here is the attitudinal, which refers to the populaces attitude towards democracy, and behavioural, which refers to populaces actions with regards to democracy, stages.

Zuma is unpopular among the general population, and most of the voting populace wants to see him go. In 2016, even before the latest scandal, Zuma was rated a 4 out of 10 by the general populace, based on a poll of 3416 adults. Recently, after the cabinet reshuffle scandal, a poll was completed by 1000 adults, in which 74% requested Zuma to step down. 69% of Black respondents requested Zuma to step down. His approval rating among black South Africans in 2016 was a mere 27%. Therefore, we can conclude that Zuma is no longer favoured as a president by the South African populace.

Yet, structural means have proven to be unable to remove Jacob Zuma. Repeated votes of no confidence in him has failed in Parliament. The Constitutional Court have largely failed to hold him to account and legitimate, peaceful protests have failed to achieve the desired result.

This, a massively unpopular and dangerous president remaining in power against the will of the people, will lead to a negative attitude towards democracy in South Africa, therefore undermining South Africas democratization process. This comes in light of the findings of polls done by Afrobarometer which shows a steady decline in the populaces satisfaction with democracy from 2002 to 2008. This fact has also been further illustrated by a drop in voter turnout in every election since 1994. People are starting to opt out of the democratic process at an accelerated rate.

The attitudes towards democracy of the populace will eventually evolve into behavior towards democracy. A clear rise in violent protests can be seen, while 70% of all service delivery protests become violent, as people view violence as the only way that their voices can be heard.

In conclusion, the process of democratization in South Africa is under threat from none other than the president himself, as he retains power against the will of the people. The accompanying inability to remove him through structural means only serves to fuel the populaces negative attitude and behavior towards democracy. One can only hope that the upcoming vote of no confidence will be an anonymous one, so that Zuma can be removed and faith in democracy restored.

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The threat to South African democracy - News24