Zuma victory is a triumph for democracy

Traps · 12-21-2007, 15:43 PM

With all the negative press surrounding the election of Jacob Zuma to ANC (not South African)president I thought I'd balance it with my report on the conference.

Thought Leader » Michael Trapido » If Zuma equals Zimbabwe, then Winnie must be my cousin

Bigfella · 12-21-2007, 19:27 PM

Traps,

Great article. It is very hard to get anything much on Africa that isn't negative. I know all about Mbeki's flaws, but I have wondered what (if any) achievements he has to balance them. It is also nice to read someone who doesn't continually imply that the country would be better off under Apartheid (ever notice how such people then rush to tell you they didn't actually mean that?).

I suspect that history will judge Mbeki harshly for his positions on AIDS & Zimbabwe, and I have no problem with that. Neither position is really defensible, and both have/will result in great suffering & loss of life.

What you have confirmed is that history will have many positive things to say. I suspect that it will view Mbeki as a man handed a mountain of problems without clear or quick solutions. He has probably done about as well as any person could have. He has kept a fractious nation in one piece, he has built a functional economy & quite possibly laid the foundations for future success.

He has also been prepared to let democratic processes unseat him within his own party. I hope his successors are as wise. Zuma worries me, but not as much as an undemocratic response to him would. That this could lead to a fracturing of the ANC may not be a bad thing. A credible alternative government is the best insurance against poor government.

I have always contended that the problems the RSA is experiencing have been centuries in the making, and will be generations in the solving. I am heartily sick of people who point to the current situation & imply ending white minority rule was a mistake (with the accompanying observations about Africans being incapable of self-government). Thank you for presenting a more detailed & nuanced view of the situation.

Keep posting Traps, I'm enjoying it.

glyn · 12-21-2007, 19:47 PM

A good one Traps. Most interesting.

Traps · 12-22-2007, 05:52 AM

Like most things political the media will rather sell the sensational than the reality.

Thanks guys your comments and patience in reading through the article is much appreciated.

**Parihaka** · 12-22-2007, 15:20 PM

Nice Traps, keep em coming

Traps · 12-22-2007, 15:27 PM

Thanks Parihaka rare praise indeed!

glyn · 12-22-2007, 16:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traps

Thanks Parihaka rare praise indeed!

Traps, dear heart. Harry Parka probably did not actually read it. He has a talking computer!

Traps · 12-23-2007, 03:30 AM

Yes ...but it's the thought that counts.......

12-21-2007, 15:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Traps *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 09-03-07 Posts: 522	Zuma victory is a triumph for democracy With all the negative press surrounding the election of Jacob Zuma to ANC (not South African)president I thought I'd balance it with my report on the conference. Thought Leader » Michael Trapido » If Zuma equals Zimbabwe, then Winnie must be my cousin

12-21-2007, 19:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
glyn *Military Professional* Join Date: 09-15-06 Location: Penzance, Cornwall UK Posts: 6,886	A good one Traps. Most interesting. __________________ Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

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12-21-2007, 19:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bigfella *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-12-07 Location: Melbourne Posts: 949 Country:	Traps, Great article. It is very hard to get anything much on Africa that isn't negative. I know all about Mbeki's flaws, but I have wondered what (if any) achievements he has to balance them. It is also nice to read someone who doesn't continually imply that the country would be better off under Apartheid (ever notice how such people then rush to tell you they didn't actually mean that?). I suspect that history will judge Mbeki harshly for his positions on AIDS & Zimbabwe, and I have no problem with that. Neither position is really defensible, and both have/will result in great suffering & loss of life. What you have confirmed is that history will have many positive things to say. I suspect that it will view Mbeki as a man handed a mountain of problems without clear or quick solutions. He has probably done about as well as any person could have. He has kept a fractious nation in one piece, he has built a functional economy & quite possibly laid the foundations for future success. He has also been prepared to let democratic processes unseat him within his own party. I hope his successors are as wise. Zuma worries me, but not as much as an undemocratic response to him would. That this could lead to a fracturing of the ANC may not be a bad thing. A credible alternative government is the best insurance against poor government. I have always contended that the problems the RSA is experiencing have been centuries in the making, and will be generations in the solving. I am heartily sick of people who point to the current situation & imply ending white minority rule was a mistake (with the accompanying observations about Africans being incapable of self-government). Thank you for presenting a more detailed & nuanced view of the situation. Keep posting Traps, I'm enjoying it.

12-22-2007, 05:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
Traps *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 09-03-07 Posts: 522	Like most things political the media will rather sell the sensational than the reality. Thanks guys your comments and patience in reading through the article is much appreciated.

12-22-2007, 15:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 10,027 Country:	Nice Traps, keep em coming

12-22-2007, 15:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Traps *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 09-03-07 Posts: 522	Thanks Parihaka rare praise indeed!

12-23-2007, 03:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Traps *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 09-03-07 Posts: 522	Yes ...but it's the thought that counts.......

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