By Celani Sikhakhane
Former Minister of International Relations, Dr Naledi Pandor, believes that many people took advantage of Jacob Zuma’s good heart during his nine years as president.
Pandor made these revelations during an interview with Sizwe Walsh-Mpofu, when she described her experiences under the three presidents she served while in Cabinet.
She said Zuma was the most loving and approachable president.
“President Zuma was a loving person, very kind, very warm, and also very engaged. But I think not fully engaged with the details of various issues. But he was well-read, hey, for someone whom they say didn’t complete all his primary schooling. He was a reader, and often, to our surprise, he was well-read and aware of issues. Sometimes, perhaps, too kind, too accommodating, and people took advantage of that,” said Pandor.
She said that Zuma was approachable, and whenever one had a problem, he would listen and come up with sensible advice.
She described former President Thabo Mbeki as meticulous, who read all the documents and was aware of issues across different portfolios. Pandor says Mbeki forced every minister to be an all-rounder.
“He would give you an economic task, and I would ask, ‘Why not Rob Davis, because I am not an economist?’ He would say, ‘Does that have anything to do with this task?’ He would also test you. As I say, Mbeki was meticulous and very sharp,” she said.
She described Ramaphosa as a mathematics whizz who could tell you in a second how many jobs could be created with R14-billion. “Don’t bring a memo to him unless you have done the financials thoroughly, because he is attentive to numbers and understands them,” said Pandor.
Pandor retired from Parliament after the 29 May general elections.
Pictured above: Former International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr Naledi Pandor described former President Jacob Zuma as a warm and loving person, whom some people took advantage of during his tenure as head of state.
Image source: X
