Results are in, press conferences held, and the gloves have come off. While the ANC has maintained a 62.15 victory over other parties, Julius’s EFF has made a convincing debut and the DA support continues to grow – although far less than they had hoped.

Zuma shared his real feelings, for a change, about the media attention on Nkalndla saying

“They were talking to themselves, not to the people. The people were not reading the stories,” Zuma said. “They forgot that before 1994, there was no freedom of association, speech or the media. This time they can write anything they like.” Zuma also lashed out at opposition parties. “Those parties who spoke so violently in Parliament have been reduced to little dwarfs… They spent more than a year discussing my homestead Nkandla. Instead of telling us what they’ll do for the country. “They remind me of Shakespeare,” Zuma said, before going on to quote Macbeth’s soliloquy, which ends with: 

It is a tale 

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

[Daily Maverick]

Well Jacob, I’m not sure that the secrecy bill you backed really upholds freedom of expression and if “the people” were not reading the stories anyway, why are you so upset about it? Keeping with the theme of “stupidity”and “idiots” Juju put on his best grown-up demeanour and started well, but got a bit big for his overalls.

He indicated that the EFF was going to Parliament to work and therefore would defy the dress code and wear overalls. “People are hiding their stupidity behind ties… We want a Parliament that reflects our South African society,” Malema said. […] Malema, however, seems to believe his powers of diplomacy and negotiations have global reach. “We dedicate victory to our beautiful girls in Nigeria. We’re coming to fetch you; Africa won’t rest till they are released.” He said the EFF was seeking “contacts” with Boko Haram to “engage” them over the release of the kidnapped schoolgirls. [Daily Maverick]

Woah there Julius, baby steps please.

For the DA the most significant news was Lindiwe Mazibuko’s sudden withdrawal:

Mazibuko’s departure at the start of a crucial term exposes the DA’s drive to project itself as a party with an array of black rising stars. Mazibuko also distinguished herself as the DA’s parliamentary leader, keeping the ANC and the executive on their toes. She effectively used the institution of Parliament to try to ensure accountability and kept pressure on the Presidency throughout her term.The already over-packaged national spokesman and failed candidate for the Gauteng premiership Mmusi Maimane will now try to fill the void. [Daily Macerick]. 

Overall, everyone seems exhausted to the point of being perhaps slightly delusional. Mr Pres, why don’t you host a weekend get-away for everyone at Nkandla, there’s nothing wrong with it right? Everyone needs some time out if they are going to see clearly and lead us into a less stressful next five years.

[Source]For more check out Daily Maverick