End of the Thabo Mbeki era

[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