Anti-Zuma march - 8 April 2017 - London version

I just noticed the date on this post - more than 2 months ago!  I really need to catch up as there will be quite a lot happening later in the year.

This whole saga with Jacob Zuma just seems to go on and on.  Quite recently I read a newspaper article by Melanie Verwoerd http://www.news24.com/Columnists/MelanieVerwoerd/could-zuma-be-planning-an-ambush-20170531 - which engages the psychology behind the man - really interesting if you're interested. He manages to hold on to power despite onslaught from all directions.

In April there was a call for South Africans in the UK to protest outside South Africa House. We heeded the call. On a lovely sunny spring day I headed into London and met up with Dayne and Tessa.

South Africa House, on the east side of Trafalgar Square, is accustomed to protest. For four years in the late 1980's there was a continous protest outside the embassy - 1408 days - calling for the downfall of apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela. In this spirit, Saffas came out to protest what is happening in their beloved land. The bokkie has seen it all.

 As has Nelson ...

 

There was a good turnout of around a couple of hundred people. You could be forgiven for thinking it was a social meetup of expats - which it was - but everyone was there for the same reason - to register their frustration at Jacob Zuma's continued abuse of South Africa. We may all live on the other side of the world, but at heart, are all still South African. Lots of laughter and singing and some very funny signs with a serious message.

It was so good to spend time with family and members of a wider family.