Can we count on Zuma to lead us?

When in trouble, turn to the top. But as the past few days have shown, when in crisis don't depend on the leader of the ANC.

Ever since Thabo Mbeki was publicly stripped of his state powers two days ago, for allegedly abusing them, nothing has been seen of the man who is about to step into his shoes, who will lead South Africa over the next five years, come hell or high water.

As the country contemplates the current state of play, Jacob Zuma is nowhere to be seen. And Sunday night was no exception, when he shied away from a scheduled appearance on the SABC, trotting out Mathews Phosa instead.

With no disrespect to Phosa, that was a moment that called for leadership, begging for clarity. A word from the main man. An assurance that the lights are not about to go out in this bloodless coup that has kept us in the dark for too many days.

The ANC is at pains to ensure that internal party strife is not presented as the makings of one man's vicious revenge on a former comrade. They are adamant to present a party that stands as a collective, unlike the single-handed leadership style that led to Mbeki's demise.

But as we wait for Zuma to take us into his confidence, this pregnant pause has cast some serious doubt over his ability to rise to the challenge when needs be, a core competency of a man of his standing.

Indeed, it is rare that he has shown any real muscle since he was brought in from the political wilderness last December. And it's not for want of public appearances.

Soon after picking up the baton in Polokwane, the 66-year old embarked on a public relations stint that brought him into close contact with a host of constituencies at home and abroad, in a bid to assuage concerns about a future SA president who is not only backed by the Left, but shrouded in allegations of corruption.

There were moments when he would veer off script, only to retract his words a day later. A chameleon to some. A puppet to others. There was the regrettable interview with the Financial Mail when he clearly advocated labour market flexibility, only to take it all back when Cosatu chief Zwelinzima Vavi reminded him that it smacked of pre-Polokwane policies.

Rather than defend his own reasoning, the ANC chief rolled over and agreed to toe the line. Once again, the strings were being tightly pulled from Luthuli House.

That was in March. A month later, Julius Malema was elected the new leader of the ANC Youth League and in no time, the youth was taunting the nation with threats to "kill for Zuma" if anyone dared drag him through the courts.

Again it was a moment that begged of Baba to stand up and speak out. But not a whisper.

Weeks later, Malema turned his wrath on Kgalema Motlanthe. Again Zuma sat back and observed. In the weeks that followed, and in the run-up to the Pietermaritzburg hearing on September 12, a conflict was gathering over the country in Zuma's defence. But rather than quell it, he let it roll.

As a president-in-waiting, Zuma has fallen short of expectations in terms of leadership. But all that is over now, and it is time for the real Jacob Zuma to stand up and show his people what he is made of.