So he was pushed to the very edge and now he’s jumped.
Well, I say “jumped”: actually, it was more of a dignified step.
Mbeki – gone: “Butchered”, no less.
Yes, it’s big news, but it’s not bad news. It’s not even unexpected news after the Nicholson ruling on the Zuma case. Scandals, allegations, divisions, resignations: this sort of thing happens on a fairly regular basis in democratic society. Of course, it’s a new thing for South Africa, because democracy is still a new thing for South Africa. But one only has to look to the UK (it’s about 6000 miles, I’m told) to see much the same process under way there.
The papers are full of screaming headlines about political uncertainty, mass hysteria, turmoil and disorder across the country. Anyone reading them would think that there is utter chaos here. And of course, there is always a difficult transition period in these matters. But life does go on and it’s going on completely as normal today. Slightly more quietly, perhaps, because there’s a public holiday this week.
Here’s what we were dealing with on the way to work this morning.
Another tough day in Africa after Mbeki resigns
I’m sure there will be more news to come from this story: in fact, I’ll be gutted if there isn’t. But for now, that’s it. Stay calm, don’t panic, watch with interest, enjoy the weather and don’t believe all that you read.
Apart from on here, obviously.
8 Comments
Hear, hear! This may prove interesting if the ANC splits into ANC-Zuma and ANC-Mbeki. And poor you, having to stare at that beautiful mountain every day
Wave at it for me, will you? I miss it.
This is just such crazy news now we are sitting with no one running the country. Now did he do this to protect Zuma is the next question??
Lilly Web » What do you care – you’re just after a bit of traffic.
Tamara » Kgalema Motlanthe is (reportedly) our ating Pres. And that’s more good news for SA. As for your mountain, I’ll wave today – it’s going to be hiding under thick grey cloud tomorrow.
Interesting times ahead. Motlanthe is a stabalizing influence. I am glad we see some … uh … clear thinking in this
Emil’s last blog post was: Kgalema Motlanthe named as president (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)
Hmm. That’s interesting, if I slant my head to the right, I can totally see why they call that side of the mountain “Lion’s head”.
SheBee » Funny girl. That’s a picture of a newspaper.
Emil » Steady as she goes, then?
That picture is playing havoc on my homesickness. Isn’t democracy bizarre? When Brown just sommer replaced Blair it seemed so wrong and strange. But that is just the way it works when you vote for a party rather than a man. Still blows my brains though.
Po’s last blog post was: Thank you Eskom (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)
I agree with you about the dignified step. This is one of the few time I have been very impressed with the way Mbeki has handled things and the speeches he has given.
Pamela’s last blog post was: Studying!! (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)
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