President Jacob Zuma has taken the opportunity to voice a different understanding of democracy to that of his political foes.
The ANC’s priority prior to the national elections in three years’ time will be to claw back the minority vote.
President Thabo Mbeki faces an uphill battle to remain politically relevant in his last year in office after his failure to contain an eruption of violence that has killed dozens of foreign workers in South Africa. Mbeki was already under fire for failing to prevent a crippling power shortage when mobs went on the rampage this month.
The leader of Zimbabwe’s main opposition group said on Saturday he would contest a run-off against Robert Mugabe after disputed elections on March 29. But Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he would only participate in the run-off if international observers and media had full access to ensure the poll is free and fair.
South African President Thabo Mbeki’s failure to criticise neighbouring Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe has weakened his international stature, analysts said. Once hailed as a leader focussed on Africa’s revival, Mbeki’s silence on Zimbabwe has been blamed either on misplaced loyalty or crippling deference.
South African President Thabo Mbeki’s refusal to take a tougher line on neighbouring Zimbabwe has further damaged his credibility and handed rival Jacob Zuma another opening to improve his image. Regional leaders last year mandated Mbeki to lead mediation between President Robert Mugabe and the opposition.
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/ 9 February 2008
The festive tone that once marked South African President Thabo Mbeki’s State of the Nation speeches was absent when he outlined his priorities for 2008 on Friday, two months after losing control of his ruling party. There was less cheering, singing and dancing as Mbeki’s motorcade pulled up to the Parliament buildings.
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/ 28 November 2007
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Prominent businessman Tokyo Sexwale, seen as a possible African National Congress presidential candidate, said on Wednesday Jacob Zuma was likely to win the contest to lead the ruling party. He also denied in a radio interview media reports that he had offered to fund Zuma’s campaign.
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/ 20 November 2007
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Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is ready to join the leadership race of the African National Congress (ANC), a media report said on Tuesday. Madikizela-Mandela’s publicist Malcolm X said: ”If the ANC nominates her, she will not say no, she is the loyal servant of her people.”
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/ 19 November 2007
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The battle to lead the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has boiled down to President Thabo Mbeki and his former deputy, Jacob Zuma, in a clash that has shaken the party to its core. There are no signs that an economic boom will end anytime soon but millions of South Africans mired in poverty are waiting for the ANC to ease their hardships.
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/ 29 October 2007
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Senior African National Congress (ANC) member Kader Asmal on Monday called on hundreds of the ruling party’s influential branches to back business tycoon Cyril Ramaphosa as the next president of the ruling party and the country. Ramaphosa has said he has no interest in becoming South Africa’s next president.