The unfolding South African presidential drama is a collection of stories of the proportions of mini Greek tragedies. These are fascinating stories intertwined with imprisonment, exile, sex, HIV/AIDS, manipulation, relational tension, power-struggles, broken friendships amidst rhythmic group song and physically exhaustive gumboot dancing that speaks black resistance to white oppression – all mixed up, precariously – cooking hot in the African pot. These are stories filled with lessons for the rest of Africa and other countries experimenting with democracy.
The key players in the fascinating mini dramas are Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. During Mandela’s almost three decades of lock-down prison term, Mbeki, Zuma and several freedom fighters had stints in exile and prison. Mandela’s presidency was his unlikely crown after 27 years in the inhumane apartheid prison system. Right after Mandela stepped down gracefully, just one term as President, his deputy, Mbeki, became the second post-apartheid president.
Stepping into the shoes of a god-like figure betrays the human foibles of ordinary mortals. Meanwhile, during the nine years of Mbeki’s tenure, Mandela’s persona grew larger than life. This happened partly because South Africa strategically cultivated his image, branding him as “Father of the Nation” and a uniting force for the fledgling post-apartheid nation. The gigantic six-meter bronze statue in Johannesburg’s Sandton City symbolizes his over-sized persona. Against this grandiose backdrop, Mbeki held the mantle of president and moved South Africa forward.
As Mbeki assumed the presidency, the colourful Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma was Deputy President. Contrary to Mbeki who dances without rhythm, 66 year-old Zuma sings and dances with passion and flamboyance at the drop of a hat, and in a way that resonates with blacks. Dark-complexioned Mbeki has a calm serious demeanour and appears distant, with unkempt facial hair. He even looks gloomy and mean, not showing much smile. Light-complexioned womanizing spoilt-brat Zuma, on the other hand, looks like a populist fun guy one could have tea with, and a man of the people. Not surprisingly, Zuma has a larger following than Mbeki, his faults notwithstanding.
Zuma is a self-made man, a product of the rough and tumble life of a struggling single mother and a father who went away and died. Zuma had no formal education; self-taught. On the contrary, Mbeki studied economics at UK’s Sussex University.
Not long after surviving a corruption charge in 2006, the then 62 year-old Zuma was tried for the rape of a 31 year-old HIV positive family friend. With that, a scandal not befitting the presidency brewed. The woman said it was rape. Zuma maintained it was just sex (unprotected) between two consenting adults although he knew of the woman’s HIV status. This matter resided in the murky realm of ‘he said; she said.’ In the end, Zuma was let off the hook. Interestingly, during his life dramas, the one constant on his side was an increasingly large army of enthusiastic supporters.
In 2007, Mbeki fired Zuma as Deputy President following his rape trial and the fraud conviction of his financial advisor. Outspoken Noble Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu referred to him as a “shameful” leader. With Zuma’s scandals, the rivalry, and probably the hatred between him and Mbeki deepened. The plot continued to thicken, casting a dark cloud over the 14 year-old democracy. But yet, South Africa remained intact. Last December, Zuma defeated Mbeki as ANC leader having the force of the mighty 85 year-old ANC solidly behind him while Mbeki had the presidency. In the end, the party won over the presidency; Mbeki lost the fight. Still, South Africa has remained intact.
It was not all gloom for the fallen Mbeki though. He chalked some significant successes. He was a leading and respectable figure on the African and world political stage. He brokered peace in several hot spots on the continent. During Mbeki’s tenure as president, South Africa’s economy saw unprecedented growth. A minority middle class black population emerged. Unfortunately, a significant majority of black South Africans remained in abject poverty at pre-apartheid proportions. Stinky poverty in the midst of wealth is not easily forgiven. It hurts. The injustices inherent in the discrepancies easily become magnified.
The hurt in social injustices manifested in an increase in crime rate – one of the highest in the world, with South Africa embarrassingly dubbed ‘the world crime capital.’ Last year, their national hero and international reggae superstar, Lucky Dube, was caught in the cross-fires, gunned down while going to drop off his children at school.
Poverty-induced anger had another manifestation. Earlier this year, embittered black South Africans turned their anger onto nationals from African countries who have thronged their land to seek for greener pastures.
Mbeki himself is not faultless. He allowed his personal biases to influence national decisions. Take for instance his pronouncements about HIV/AIDS. He was dismissive of HIV/AIDS, and with that leadership, set a national agenda that led to many people living with AIDS being deprived of life-saving and life-prolonging anti-retroviral drugs.
His recent slow handling of the old-bad-man of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, dulled his image further. In the end, like Kenya, Zimbabwe has begun experimenting with that ridiculous power-sharing African democratic innovation. With a cloud already hanging over Mbeki's head, the accusations last week that he manipulated the corruption trial against his arch rival Zuma saw his political fortunes crashing, fast.
The accusation of political interference was quickly followed by the ANC’s demand for him to resign. Mbeki must have been hurt, naturally. But gracefully, he accepted the verdict of the party. He could have fought it. At least he could have raised his voice. After all, he has been a loyal member of the ANC for 52 years. The party was therefore also his! Instead, he bowed out in response to the ANC’s internal party coup d’etat – in dignity and in peace although his tenure was scheduled to end next April. This week, several members of his government also resigned.
With these resignations, South Africa’s post-apartheid democracy has been tried; it won the test. Admirable! Mbeki even had the dignity to give a statesmanlike address to his nation on Sunday. There is a high likelihood that some other African leaders in his position would have gladly played up time, delayed and dragged on this matter and the entire country into the gutters until the African inevitable happens. He could have put self over and above the rest of the country and the citizenry. Then, BOOM.......
With Mbeki’s resignation, South Africa has scored a second first in Africa. Nelson Mandela scored the first – stepping down after one term as President and stepping back as an elder statesman par excellence. In these two personalities, South Africa has scored two commendable examples for the rest of Africa to emulate.
Power and the presidency should not be a matter of life or death. It should only be for a season. When the season ends, whether as planned or abruptly, one should step aside. No bloodshed. No machete. No guns. No lost limbs – ‘short sleeves’ or ‘long sleeves.’ No child soldiers. No beating of war drums. No ugly insults and cheap trash talk on FM stations.
The South African presidential mini tragedies are still unfolding. Uncertainties abound. Most likely, Zuma would become the third president of post-apartheid South Africa. We don’t know what the future holds for him, how he will translate populism into leading Africa’s largest economy. We will watch; and learn.
dorisdartey@yahoo.com; +233-208286817
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