SOUTH AFRICA
Zuma ousts Mbeki in ANC vote
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) elected Jacob Zuma as its new leader on Tuesday, ousting South African President Thabo Mbeki. Zuma was declared the winner by a margin of 824 votes after a bitter election contest.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
By Nandita Vij / FRANCE 24
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) elected Jacob Zuma as its new leader on Tuesday, ousting South African President Thabo Mbeki.
Zuma was declared the winner by a margin of 824 votes after a bitter election contest.
Close to 4,000 party members voted peacefully at a conference in the northern city of Polokwane to choose between South African President Thabo Mbeki, the current party leader, and his arch-rival Jacob Zuma.
“There were no signs of tension or violence,” says FRANCE 24’s South African correspondent Caroline Dumay. “The situation seemed tenser yesterday. All forms of singing and dancing were forbidden today.”
Tuesday’s election has been one of the most divisive in the ANC’s history.
“Until now delegates agreed on one candidate,” says Dumay. “There has never been such a massive divide within the ANC over two candidates.”
The rift has dismayed former leaders including Nelson Mandela, raising fears that continued infighting could derail the ANC government from its national agenda.
The result puts Zuma in a prime position to become President in 2009 when Mbeki is constitutionally obliged to step down.
But it could be difficult for Zuma and Mbeki to co-exist between now and 2009. According to Dumay, if Zuma is elected party chief, he and the ANC might call for early national elections to replace Mbeki as president. Mbeki, in power since 1999, has faced growing unpopularity because of persistent poverty and unemployment.
“Africa’s largest economy has seen the longest period of growth under Mbeki, since 1999, but in the past few years the focus was less on redistribution of wealth,” Dumay says. Unofficial estimates peg unemployment at around 40 percent.
Mbeki has also been accused by ANC members of neglecting issues like AIDS and crime. “People want to change this within the ANC. They are looking for a new leadership to replace Mbeki and his centrist policies,” says Dumay.
Zuma’s victory will help to improve his tarnished image following a series of political scandals. Zuma was sacked by Mbeki as deputy head of state in 2005 when his financial advisor was jailed for fraud. Zuma was acquitted last year of raping a family friend less than half his age, Zuma was ridiculed for testifying in court that he had showered after sex with his HIV-positive accuser to prevent infection.
Markets fear Zuma’s leftist policies could reverse Mbeki's efforts which have fuelled the growth in the country.
Zuma has tried to reassure investors there would be no sweeping economic policy changes under his leadership.
Zuma was declared the winner by a margin of 824 votes after a bitter election contest.
Close to 4,000 party members voted peacefully at a conference in the northern city of Polokwane to choose between South African President Thabo Mbeki, the current party leader, and his arch-rival Jacob Zuma.
“There were no signs of tension or violence,” says FRANCE 24’s South African correspondent Caroline Dumay. “The situation seemed tenser yesterday. All forms of singing and dancing were forbidden today.”
Tuesday’s election has been one of the most divisive in the ANC’s history.
“Until now delegates agreed on one candidate,” says Dumay. “There has never been such a massive divide within the ANC over two candidates.”
The rift has dismayed former leaders including Nelson Mandela, raising fears that continued infighting could derail the ANC government from its national agenda.
Looking for a new leadership
The result puts Zuma in a prime position to become President in 2009 when Mbeki is constitutionally obliged to step down.
But it could be difficult for Zuma and Mbeki to co-exist between now and 2009. According to Dumay, if Zuma is elected party chief, he and the ANC might call for early national elections to replace Mbeki as president. Mbeki, in power since 1999, has faced growing unpopularity because of persistent poverty and unemployment.
“Africa’s largest economy has seen the longest period of growth under Mbeki, since 1999, but in the past few years the focus was less on redistribution of wealth,” Dumay says. Unofficial estimates peg unemployment at around 40 percent.
Mbeki has also been accused by ANC members of neglecting issues like AIDS and crime. “People want to change this within the ANC. They are looking for a new leadership to replace Mbeki and his centrist policies,” says Dumay.
Zuma’s victory will help to improve his tarnished image following a series of political scandals. Zuma was sacked by Mbeki as deputy head of state in 2005 when his financial advisor was jailed for fraud. Zuma was acquitted last year of raping a family friend less than half his age, Zuma was ridiculed for testifying in court that he had showered after sex with his HIV-positive accuser to prevent infection.
Markets fear Zuma’s leftist policies could reverse Mbeki's efforts which have fuelled the growth in the country.
Zuma has tried to reassure investors there would be no sweeping economic policy changes under his leadership.
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