But,
then, AIDs emerged as a fatal
health problem catching the country off guard. Its health infrastructure had
been crippled by years of apartheid underfunding. Early projections suggested
that virtually the entire State treasury would have to be diverted to stop
millions from dying. There was denial and stigma.
That was
one of the realities confronting Mandela's deputy and successor, Thabo Mbeki. That may help explain his
attempts to downplay the AIDS threat and find others to blame for it. Mbeki had
ambitions notions of an "African renaissance," and turned South Africa into a
force on the Continent while also alienating members of the ANC at home who
resented what they saw as arrogance and elitism.
Although re-elected, he became a divisive force in the Party and was toppled before he could finish his second term. This was all evidence of democracy within the ANC, but also the emergence of other splits and splinters, as well as chaotic factions with the ANC's own youth League demanding nationalization of the mines.
(This demand was treated as an example of "radical populism" by some, and as a tactic to shake down
industrialists for bribes by others even thought it did point to a certain
laxness in the government's unwillingness to crack down on business. Sound
familiar?)
Former
ANC exile and military chief Jacob Zuma toppled Mbeki with populist rhetoric--he
sang a Zulu song, "Bring Me My Machine Gun" during his camapaign even though he
was caught up in a personal corruption scandal that he narrowly slithered out
of.
Now,
some of the same pressures facing Mbeki are facing him, as supporters rally to
his Deputy President Kglalema Mothlane or Zuma's Minister of Settlements, the
charismatic former guerilla turned billionaire, Tokyo Sexwale. Both seem poised
to want to replace him
Meanwhile,
the ANC is running a key policy conference to debate a document calling for a
"Second Transition." Mothlane recently sneered at the idea in a speech saying,
"Second Transition! Second Transition! From where to where? What constituted
the first transition?"
In
response, President Zuma, has, according to the Mail & Guardian, "launched a veiled attack" on Kgalema for questioning
the "Second Transition." The crusading newspaper also reports:
" Supporters of ANC president Jacob Zuma will stop any
attempts to discuss leadership issues at the ruling party's policy conference
this week.
This is
the unyielding view of sources within the ruling party, who told the Mail &
Guardian they will "suppress" any attempts to discuss succession within the
ruling party."
So much
for the state of internal debate, yet clearly Zuma knows he's facing a serious
internal fight.
Even as
the politicians scramble for positions, criticism mounts of how South Africa is
being governed. Law Professor Koos Malan, challenges the way public office here
is misused, writing, "public office somehow entitles public office-bearers to
exploit the power and authority of public office to achieve maximum private
gain"and to receive public accolades for these successes."
As the
country prepares to mark Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday in July,
South Africa is also facing a dangerous downtown in its economy thanks to the
world financial crisis, and soaring crime and unemployment.
The
spirit of many here remains infectious but there's trouble on the horizon.
News
Dissector Danny Schechter writes the Newsdissector.net blog. He is in South
Africa making a film about the making and meaning of a major movie underway on
Mandel's life. His latest books are Blogothon and Occupy: Dissecting Occupy
Wall Street (Cosimo.) He hosts a program on ProgressiveRadioNetwork.com.
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