End of the Thabo Mbeki era

[Dave A]

I'm not sure whether to call it the end of the Mbeki era or the start of the Zuma era. But Thabo has tendered his resignation.

So what now?

It looks like we'll have an interim acting President, but it is definitely a time to look forward. What can we expect for the next few years?

Personally, I'm not too sure
Does anyone have a best guess?

[Morticia]

End of Thabo

And a bigger broom I would imagine....

[Dave A]

Given the nature of how things have developed so far, I think one word might well become associated with a JZ era - "decisive"!

At work I had one staffer who was nothing less than absolutely jubilant. I asked why and his expectation is that this will be good for development in Kwazulu Natal. Something of a regional view I guess, but his view was that the Eastern Cape has received an unfair priority for development at the expense of particularly Kwazulu Natal.

[Dave A]

Watching developments during the day, I'd suggest the one to watch is JZ's no.2. Nothing like being in the background during a messy period of politics, just ready to step in and clean up the pieces.

Odds are Kgalema Motlanthe will end up being the new State President on Thursday. Now if he does a good job, what chances he stays on in the role?

[Morticia]

My guess? Less than zero, and this for a very simple reason - his initials are not JZ......

[Dave A]

I'm not quite as certain as you are, Morticia.

But maybe what we should look at is what this all might mean from a business point of view. For me one of the issues that does stand out is the prospects of labour regulation reform. There seems little prospect of an easing of labour regulation to open up prospects of reducing unemployment.

[Morticia]

Just heard 11 cabinet ministers INCLUDING Trevor Manuel has resigned.... interesting times as Terry Pratchett would say!

[Morticia]

Chin up, tomorrow is a Public Holiday.......

[Dave A]

Just heard 11 cabinet ministers INCLUDING Trevor Manuel has resigned....

An interesting diversion in ANC political games has just got very serious.

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel is among eleven Cabinet ministers and three deputy ministers who have tendered their resignations.

Their letters of resignation had been received by President Thabo Mbeki "which, regretfully, he has had to accept", the presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.

Among them was Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who had earlier in the day made her own announcement. Another resignation was that of Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, who has been expected to leave office ever since the ANC's decision on Saturday to recall Mbeki.

The other ministers whose resignations were announced on Tuesday were those of: defence, Mosiuoa Lekota; intelligence, Ronnie Kasrils; correctional services, Ngconde Balfour; public enterprises, Alec Erwin; science and technology, Mosibudi Mangena; public works, Thoko Didiza; provincial and local government, Sydney Mufamadi; and public service and administration, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.

The deputy ministers who resigned are those of: foreign affairs, Aziz Pahad; finance, Jabu Moleketi and correctional services, Loretta Jacobus.

"The resignations will be effective from the day that the president's resignation takes effect[ Thursday]," the presidency said.
full story from IOL here

The markets have been steady on info that indicated Trevor Manuel would be staying. Watch the markets react now!

[Graeme]

Trevor Manuel has resigned, but has intimated that he is prepared to stay on, if asked.

[Dave A]

I see the ANC is downplaying Trevor Manuel's "resignation" in particular. I'm not buying the "no crisis" line, though. Why resign and make yourself available again if all is well between Trevor Manuel and the new leadership? Something's itching there that needed to be scratched.

One thing that I suspect that has been shaken up in all this is the concept of blind loyalty to the party. I know all too well how tough it is to walk away from something that has been an integral part of your life for a long time. But once the thought has entered your mind, it's only a matter of time before it becomes quite a liberating notion.

Aziz and Phumzile were looking particularly relaxed this afternoon/evening. Even cheerful. For them the ordeal of the past year or more is over.

[murdock]

eeeiiiiiish i am just holding my tongue

[Dave A]

There seems to be more and more press suggesting an ANC breakaway might be coming sooner rather than later.

Almost a quarter of black people polled in a phone survey this week support the formation of a breakaway party from the African National Congress (ANC), research company TNS said on Friday.

Just over half the white people questioned thought it was a good idea, with support dropping to 43% among coloured people, 19% among Indian people and 22% among black people.

"Whilst [overall] support for a breakaway party from the ANC is in the minority, nonetheless, it is significant," TNS said.

"That 22% of the black sample feel it is a good idea is notable."

Other findings were that three quarters of the people polled, including 58% of black people, still believe ANC president Jacob Zuma should stand trial for corruption.

And while 70% of respondents thought Thabo Mbeki did a good job as president of the country, 41% believed he should also be charged with corruption.

TNS said the 70% approval figure for Mbeki represented a feeling among all races that he had left a significant legacy, despite his approval ratings having fallen over the past few years.
full story from M&G here

In cruising various stories, the trail also led to a website called Friends of Democracy.

Wonderful thing, hindsight. Looking back on it now, JZ probably should have gone for an early general election.
EDIT: Oh yes - the power outages were the problem then

[murdock]

the polls should be done with the bus loads of people they pay and feed...who make the difference with the votes.

[Dave A]

Is anyone surprised by this statement?

African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Baleka Mbete said disgruntled party members who plan to start their own movement were wasting their energy, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Sunday.

She was speaking to journalists after addressing Gauteng ANC branches and regions at the Johannesburg City Hall. The meeting was part of a national campaign to explain the ANC national executive committee's decision to recall former president Thabo Mbeki last week.

Mbete, who is South Africa's new deputy president, said disgruntled members should take their grievances to internal structures.

"The ANC believes that anybody who is thinking of going off and forming another party is wasting their energy.
full story from M&G here