A new era for South Africa?

The media, both local and international, are now speculating on South Africa’s fate under Zuma.

The papers this morning adorn headlines such as ‘South Africa heads into uncertainty with Zuma victory,’ ‘Markets edgy after Zuma triumph,’ ‘Total rejection of Mbeki as ANC veers Left.’

The election of Jacob Zuma, the former deputy president of South Africa who was sacked by Mbeki on charges of corruption, has signalled a strong opposition in the country to Mbeki and his style of government. It does not, as yet, signal support for Zuma as a leader because little is know about his political views. 

One paper in South Africa suggests South Africa will now likely “tilt the ANC to the left.” Another paper ponders Zuma’s election as an “overwhelming rejection of Thabo Mbeki as president of the ANC delegates.” 

 Justice Malala writing in The Times (South Africa) says Zuma’s election will reveal a growing “rift” within the ANC. Malala observes, “Tokyo Sexwale (who put himself forward as a candidate for presidential election) threw a party at his house on Burger Street in Polokwane. None of his comrades from the Mbeki camp pitched up whereas the place was packed with the tri-partite alliance leaders who had engineered Mbeki’s downfall.

“Two streets down from Tokyo’s house at the popular Mawetse restaurant and bar, ANC Youth League leaders congregated and smoked cigars, drank expensive wine and danced deep into the night. In a private room, where drinks and food paid for by a Mbeki supporter went untouched, sat a few Mbeki supporters as if at a wake.

“The Zuma supporters laughed, ate and danced. Mo Shaik was there, deep in conversation with other winning comrades. Others, too, mingled and enjoyed themselves. There was no a single Mbeki supporter in sight at the bar.”

Malala cautions however, that Zuma’s victory is just “the beginning of a massive re-alignment of forces inside and outside the ANC.”

William Gumede, author of a book on Thabo Mbeki, prohetically entitled, ‘Battle for the soul of the ANC’, confirms the view that the party is “split into two camps.” Gumede says Nelson Mandela sent a message to delegates expressing his shame about the infighting in the movement.

Gumede says the “scale of the internal conflict made it impossible for a compromise candidate to emerge,” a hope expressed by many.

Gumede says the ANC election of Zuma was a cry for “democratic renewal, an overhaul of stagnant political culture and institutions, and fresh ideas in the face of poverty, unemployment and inequality…”

The international media meanwhile have taken a more ominous view of Zuma’s election. The Scotsman says ‘Chaos on way as ANC hands Zuma top job,’ the Financial Times heads with ‘ANC poll draws to an acrimonious climax,’ and the Independent (UK) says ‘Mbeki era closes as ANC elects Zuma.’ The BBC says ‘Zuma victory leaves ANC divided.’

Other commentators in the media acknowledge that the Mbeki-Zuma saga is in its early stages. Zuma may still face another corruption trial, which could lead to two centres of power developing in the country.

The uncertainty over who will lead the African National Congress is over but as to who, in 2009, when President Mbeki steps down, will lead the country, remains an unknown. Once again, South Africa faces more turmoil.