Zuma's relationship with the Guptas is a very bad case of mental colonisation.

Zuma's relationship with the Guptas is a very bad case of mental colonisation. Frankly speaking I do not see what Zuma's sees in the Guptas apart from a subconscious need to please and earn plaudits from some-one who is not a black African.

Zuma is conditioned to believe that he has to do things to please a non-African boss. All reports surrounding the Gupta saga talk about Zuma and ministers trotting to the Gupta residence is if to receive instructions. I have not heard it mentioned even once that the Guptas go to Zuma's office, home or even Nkandla. It is him who trots to them like a faithful servant always.

It is as if the Gupta Saxonwold compound is the headquarters of South Africa, not just another home in the country. Why Zuma, president of the entire country, has to be trotting there every now and then, like a faithful poodle, is beyond my comprehension.

It seems to not have dawned to him that he is the boss of the country. Zuma's family and friends seem not to understand that Zuma is the president of a democracy supposed to act through and with the elected representatives of the South African people.

Even Duduzane has no reason to be approaching ministers to discuss government business. South Africa is not a kingdom and he is not a prince. He should not be meddling in state affairs as if his father is a king.

Having him summoning ministers to meetings is like having Sasha and Malia summoning John Kerry and Ashton Carter to give them instructions on behalf of Obama.

 I do not know if the ANC have been watching developments in Zimbabwe. They are a classic example of what happens when friends and family are allowed to usurp government functions.

After Grace Mugabe entered politics and started tussles with elected officials, it sowed serious divisions in the party itself. To be blunt, she destroyed Zanu-PF. The party will never ever be the same again.

The same could be said about the relationship involving the ANC, the Guptas and Duduzane. This past week serious accusations have been flying. Elected members of the ANC, government ministers on the one side and the Guptas, Gupta functionaries and Zuma's family (so far Duduzane) are on the other. But mark my words it won't be long before Edward joins the fray.

The monkey business that is on-going has seriously eroded the ANC's stature and gravitas in the eyes of the public. That is bound to translate to losses in votes at some point.