Tutu praises Zuma

JOHANNESBURG – Retired archbishop Desmond Tutu yesterday praised South Africa’s president, ending an ugly rift pitting the leader of the country’s governing party against a widely beloved elder statesman.

Tutu lauded President Jacob Zuma for agreeing to talk after Tutu had repeatedly raised questions about Zuma’s fitness to lead. The two men had had a meeting on Wednesday in Pretoria, the nation’s capital.’In my view it is a very positive sign that despite my critical voice, the president was keen to chat,’ Tutu said in a statement. ‘This openness can only augur well for our country. It is in the African style of leadership, and I commend him for it.’Before April elections propelled Zuma to the presidency, Tutu had said he was so skeptical of Zuma he was considering not casting a ballot. Tutu cited a rape trial in which Zuma was acquitted and corruption charges that were dropped just before the vote.Tutu did cast a ballot April 22, but told reporters that day: ‘Quite unlike previous elections, there’s a lot of heart-searching.’In a speech yesterday, Zuma said that Tutu offered ‘wise counsel’ and that the two had decided it was important ‘to work together for the good of the country.’While Zuma had abstained from responding to Tutu’s comments before the election, the ANC accused Tutu of having ‘a narrow view of South Africa.’ The ANC’s youth wing went even further, saying it was ‘disgusted by the ranting’ of Tutu.’Although I am sometimes critical of the challenges we face as a nation, and have on occasion been critical of both the ruling party and government, I am guided only by my love for, and loyalty toward, the country of my birth,’ Tutu said yesterday.Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya told The Associated Press that Tutu had requested the meeting, and that Zuma ‘welcomed the initiative and welcomed the archbishop.’President Zuma regards Archbishop Desmond Tutu as an elder statesmen of the country. He regards him as a father figure.’Magwenya added Zuma saw Tutu’s criticisms as serving the interest of democracy in a country only 15 years removed from the authoritarian rule of apartheid.’There must be robust debate and engagement,’ Magwenya said. – Nampa-AP

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