Private investor Rob Hersov sent shockwaves reverberating across the political arena when, in an emotional speech, he not only declared his exit from activism but formally endorsed Gayton McKenzie and Mmusi Maimane as suitable leaders to usher South Africa into a new frontier.
Rob Hersov at BizNews Conference: Here’s what he said
PLEASE NOTE: The third-party content below is shared on our platform for journalistic purposes. Swisher Post, its parent company, partners and affiliates shall not be held liable for any consequence that arises from the journalistic duties performed in sharing this content.
Tears welled up in Hersov’s eyes throughout his speech at the BizNews Conference. Three years after he went viral over his harsh criticisms of ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, the 63-year-old delivered his final keynote address as a political activist.
The 15-minute speech, most of which was unscripted, was laced with. shocking revelations, from the alleged funders behind Cyril Ramaphosa and Jacob Zuma, who found a way to circumvent a constitutional law that prohibits past heads of state from returning to the Executive after serving two terms, to claims regarding R1.5 trillion of corporate cash lingering in banks due to low investor confidence.
Here’s a breakdown of Hersov’s main points:
Jacob Zuma is bankrupt
According to Hersov, the former head of state, now serving as the presidential candidate of the MK Party, which, by the way, was granted a clear path to contest in the 2024 elections after winning a court battle against the ANC, has no money.
The 63-year-old private investor candidly admitted that Zuma was “the most popular politician in this country by far, including in the Eastern Cape.”
“Zuma is being funded by Russia. Jacob Zuma has no money. Everyone assumes he stole this country dry. He let everyone else steal the country dry. He was a disaster, but he was just Father Christmas, Santa Clause. Didn’t take any himself,” Hersov said.
Banks are holding R1.5 trillion cash ready to invest in South Africa
Hersov’s would-be speech contained a multi-pronged solution to South Africa’s ailments, part of which included unlocking wads of cash deposits sitting in limbo in banks.
Quoting former cricketer Frans Cronje, the retiring political activist claimed that “there’s R1.5 trillion sitting in cash deposits at the banks from the corporates. They’re not investing it,” he said.
Hersov also proposed several approaches to funding the inward deindustrialisation of South Africa, which included:
- reintroducing policies from the 1950s and 1960s that were used to establish state parastatals;
- reinvigorating the asset management industry;
- encouraging foreigners with less bureaucratic access to permanent residency; and
- unlocking the R1.5 trillion cash deposits from corporates currently sitting in limbo in banks.
‘Resign today, Ramaphosa, and history will favour you’
In a chilling moment that brought applause from the audience, Rob Hersov, staring into the cameras, ordered Cyril Ramaphosa to announce his resignation today from the ANC.
“Say you woke up this morning and you realised this country is on the wrong path, you’ve made mistakes, you’re gonna admit it, and you’re gonna tell the voters of this country not to vote for the ANC and not to vote EFF,” he exclaimed.
Hersov revealed that a late friend of his with close ties to the higher-ups of the ruling party allegedly once told him that Ramaphosa’s greatest fear “was to be known as the president that let the lights go out.”
“So, Cyril, that will be your reputation unless you resign and unless you stand up and get onto the right side of history, today!” Hersov said.
What Hersov said about Gayton McKenzie and Mmusi Maimane
The retiring political activist closed his speech with astounding endorsements of Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie and BuildOne South Africa’s presidential candidate, Mmusi Maimane.
According to the private investor, these are the only two political leaders who, for the upcoming elections, have not accepted donations from private interests.
Hersov shared stronger praises for McKenzie, claiming his character profile was necessary in government.
“I’ve known Gayton for three years and I believe, as does Corne Mulder (Freedom Front Plus Chief Whip), as does Herman Mashaba, as does the leadership team of Inkatha [Freedom Party], as do so many more people who’ve met the man, believe, that he is a good person, on the side of good, and would be a very effective member of a government Cabinet, a team, and maybe even in a higher position,” Hersov said.
Watch Hersov’s entire keynote address below, where, in the end, he announces his retirement from political activism, below: