Staff Reporter

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=ancconference_home"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/321750/Icon_ANCconference.gif" align=left border=0></a>With little more than a few days to go before the ANC conference, the cleft in the party appears to be deepening and sniping between factions more acrimonious and personal. After interviews with party ‘elders’ last week, the <i>Mail & Guardian</i> asked four more senior leaders to reflect on the state of the ANC and its clouded future

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=ancconference_home"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/321750/Icon_ANCconference.gif" align=left border=0></a>With little more than a week to go before the ANC conference, the cleft in the party appears to be deepening and sniping between factions more acrimonious and personal. After interviews with party ‘elders’ last week, the Mail & Guardian asked four more senior leaders to reflect on the state of the ANC and its clouded future.

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=ancconference_home"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/321750/Icon_ANCconference.gif" align=left border=0></a>Mo Shaik is likely to play a central role in South African politics if Jacob Zuma becomes president. He has been part of a network of individuals who have run the Zuma campaign, turning it into the juggernaut which won five provinces, as well as the support of both ANC leagues and Umkhonto weSizwe veterans. Shaik spoke to the <i>Mail & Guardian</i> editor Ferial Haffajee in a wide-ranging interview.

Judging by the news down south, it would appear that Jacob Zuma is likely to be the next leader of the ANC. That would make him the top contender for president of Africa’s most prized gem. And tongues are wagging well beyond South Africa’s borders. His numerous supporters will be celebrating, writes Lucy Oriang’.

Events of the past two weeks, especially the nomination outcomes of the ANC Women’s League, have been a subject of much commentary, reflecting a range of opinions and degrees of understanding. To put matters into context, it is necessary to reflect on a number of issues.

Bosasa Operations, a diversified BEE company with state contracts worth more than R2-billion, has been threatened with an application for liquidation by a small building contractor. Cross Atlantic Properties 39 says the controversial outfit owes it more than R500 000 for work done at the home of Bosasa’s group operations coordinator, Angelo Agrizzi.

Rampant inflation — driven by food and fuel prices — is hurting the poor the most, but anticipated interest rate hikes might not adequately deal with the problem, some economists argue. Food prices, which are rising at more than 12% a year already, are expected to continue this trend for the next few months.

On radio this week President Thabo Mbeki described the ANC leadership race as "a model of democracy in motion". As with many of his lofty pronouncements, no one in South Africa believes him. All the signs are that the ANC is in the grip of a kind of collective madness, in which almost any campaign tactic is seen as justified.

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=ancconference_home"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/321750/Icon_ANCconference.gif" align=left border=0></a>Nominations conferences in all provinces have reduced the contest for the African National Congress (ANC) leadership to a two-horse race. The <i>Mail & Guardian</i> asked five senior ANC "elders" to comment on the provincial results, the party’s hardening divisions, and the potential fallout beyond Polokwane. Read Mbhazima Shilowa’s contribution here.

Maintenance prosecutor René Botha quit her job as attorney the day she realised she was helping "the wrong people". Today Botha is one of the most important and successful torch­bearers for neglected children, women and men in Johannesburg who do not receive the maintenance they are entitled to.