South Africa’s President took over the helm from Nelson Mandela in ‘1999 with so much promise for his leadership. In his first term, he managed to get many African governments on board his “African Renaissance” philosophy and helped shaped the new African Union and one of its key programs, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Yet on the domestic front, his Presidency very quickly lost touch with ordinary South Africans; first on HIV/AIDS where he failed to develop a coherent treatment policy and on the implementation of Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment, which continues to benefit an elite few at the expense of the wider black population who are confronting widespread poverty and unemployment.
Thabo Mbeki’s policy of quiet diplomacy in neighboring Zimbabwe has contributed to the Xenophobia taking place across the country, especially in Johannesburg where more than one million fleeing Zimbabwean nationals are said to have settled to find work.
Earlier this year, and in the midst of growing dissatisfaction with his leadership, Mbeki made the gravest mistake of all, placing himself on the ticket to run against Jacob Zuma as African National Congress President. Mbeki suffered a dismal public defeat and support for Jacob Zuma as both the new Party President and as the future ANC Presidential candidate became widespread. In the months leading to the party elections, Mbeki failed to back credible and outstanding would-be contenders such as Cyril Ramaphosa. In his final year in office, Mbeki is essentially handicapped by his own doing, leaving millions of South Africans who are dealing with huge electricity tariff hikes and rising interest rates without the critical leadership they need.
Stay tuned for more articles related to African politics and business.
Sherry- KZN Citizen
Thabo Mbeki’s policy of quiet diplomacy in neighboring Zimbabwe has contributed to the Xenophobia taking place across the country, especially in Johannesburg where more than one million fleeing Zimbabwean nationals are said to have settled to find work.
Earlier this year, and in the midst of growing dissatisfaction with his leadership, Mbeki made the gravest mistake of all, placing himself on the ticket to run against Jacob Zuma as African National Congress President. Mbeki suffered a dismal public defeat and support for Jacob Zuma as both the new Party President and as the future ANC Presidential candidate became widespread. In the months leading to the party elections, Mbeki failed to back credible and outstanding would-be contenders such as Cyril Ramaphosa. In his final year in office, Mbeki is essentially handicapped by his own doing, leaving millions of South Africans who are dealing with huge electricity tariff hikes and rising interest rates without the critical leadership they need.
Stay tuned for more articles related to African politics and business.
Sherry- KZN Citizen
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