Congratulations to all South Africans on what was by all accounts “a well-run and highly successful election.” Especially since this stands in stark contrast to national elections on the continent – in places like Kenya, Congo and Zimbabwe – where post-election violence nullified results and forced untenable and unsustainable power-sharing governments on the electorate.
Of course, there was never any doubt that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) would win, ushering in its beleaguered leader, Jacob Zuma, as the next president of South Africa.
Never mind that the party fell short of the two-thirds majority in parliament needed to ensure Zuma’s de facto dictatorial rule: the ANC won 65.9; the Democratic Alliance – 16.66; the Congress of the People (COPE) – 7.42 ; the Inkatha Freedom Party – 4.55; others – negligible.
Still, this outcome was foretold … and forewarned:
What, pray tell, is going on in South Africa! How have political disputes within its ruling African National Congress (ANC) become such an internecine saga that President Thabo Mbeki felt compelled last week to publish an open letter assuring South Africans that his sacking of Deputy President Jacob Zuma was not part of a “deliberate hostile political persecution”?
[Support for principled Mbeki wanes as it surges for compromised Zuma, TIJ, August 30, 2005]
Until last summer, Jacob Zuma (right) was the unchallenged heir apparent to South African President Thabo Mbeki (left). After all, as deputy president, Zuma’s rock-star appeal amongst the (predominantly poor and uneducated) South African electorate made Mbeki seem like an interloper and even rivaled the appeal Bill Clinton enjoyed as U.S. president…
The comparisons with Clinton did not end there. Because, just as Clinton’s financial dealings (Whitewater) and sexual indiscretions (never mind Monica, Juanita Broderick accused him of rape) beset his presidency, so too did Zuma’s financial dealings and sexual indiscretions compromise his political viability. Likewise, however, just as Clinton survived an impeachment trial and has thrived ever since, Zuma seems destined to emulate him by surviving prosecution not only for rape but also for his shady financial affairs (relating to a multi-billion dollar arms deal)…
Despite prosecutors vowing to reinstate the charges, chances are very good that – no matter what legal impediments he faces between now and presidential elections in 2009 – Zuma will be elected the next president of South Africa.
[The crucifixion and resurrection of Jacob Zuma, TIJ, September 25, 2006]
“They should please not choose someone of whom most of us would be ashamed. Our country deserves better. We’re very worried that this leader had relations with a woman who regarded him as a parent and, although he is very likeable, we have to ask ourselves: ‘What is happening in the ANC?'”
Thus prayed Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu for his country….
[Mbeki vs. Zuma for ANC leadership, TIJ, December 17, 2007]
“[T]he party’s top-level National Executive Committee [NEC] has decided to recall the president of the republic before his term of office expires.”
One wonders what could have prompted the ANC to emasculate Mbeki in this ignominious fashion… if Mbeki heeds the ANC’s recall, parliament will likely appoint a Zuma ally as caretaker president for the remainder of his term, after which everyone expects Zuma to become the next duly elected president. Then, I fear, he will do for South Africa what Mugabe has done for Zimbabwe….
[South African President Mbeki forced to resign … Hail Zuma, TIJ, September 22, 2008]
Rabble-rousing trade unionists and unreformed communists have turned the ANC from a governing coalition into a band of rebels. Therefore, Zuma enlisting them to intimidate a political cartoonist (Zapiro) should serve as a dire warning of what South Africa will become under his leadership.
[Zuma issues fatwa against cartoonist Zapiro, TIJ December 22, 2008]
I discerned early on that, given credible allegations that he’s not only a corrupt politician but also a rapist, Zuma knew full well that he would always be persona non grata in the West. Therefore, I was not at all surprised when he began emulating fellow African pariahs like President Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President al-Bashir of Sudan by forging political and economic ties with China and Russia.
[South Africa bans Dalai Lama to appease China, TIJ, March 24, 2009]
I am proud of the fact that I participated in the US-led international protests during the 1980s that precipitated the end of white rule (Apartheid) in South Africa… I remember thinking back then that a South Africa ruled by liberated blacks could be the beacon of hope and the land of opportunity for Africans that America is for people all over the world.
[Xenophobic blacks prove almost as deadly (for other blacks) as Apartheid whites, TIJ, May 23, 2008]
Hope springs eternal. Good luck South Africa….
Related commentaries:
Support for principled Mbeki wanes as it surges for compromised Zuma
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jacob Zuma
Mbeki vs. Zuma for ANC leadership
South African President Mbeki forced to resign … Hail Zuma
Zuma issues fatwa against cartoonist Zapiro
South Africa bans Dalai Lama to appease China
Xenophobic blacks prove almost as deadly as Apartheid whites
Tia Mysoa says
I fail to see how you can state that South Africa had a well-run and highly successful election! Besides the fact that a leading opposition activist was shot dead, there were also countless reports in the media of irregularities, fraud and corruption. Please tell me on what standards are free and fair elections measured? Is it Africa’s standards or is it simply a matter of South Africa finding itself in its teenage democracy years?
Anthony L. Hall says
I apprecate your point of view Tia. However, it was not I, but the BBC, the New York Times and other news organisations that reported the election as such. Granted, this is relative. But I know enough about elections in Africa to find their reporting credible.