ANC: Democracy at work

The African National Congress, ANC, South Africa’s ruling party sets a precedent of transparent political maturity that political parties in African countries must emulate. The majesty of democracy came to the fore in its last convention as baton of leadership changed from President Thabo Mbeki to Jacob Zuma. This is achieved not through force as is the case in other countries but by popular votes.

Zuma is not favoured by the establishment but triumphed because democracy is a game of numbers through which people express their preference. The vilified Zuma scored 60 per cent of the total votes.
In other climes within the continent, winning an election against an incumbent is a rare feat. All means except fairness would be adopted to frustrate opposing candidates.Except the impossible happens, Zuma by this victory would take over after the 2009 elections as successor to President Thabo Mbeki.

The orderliness and transparency of that convention should be emulated in countries across Africa. For not interfering with the outcome, like most of his peers in Africa, Mbeki deserves commendation. This is an uncommon occurrence for an incumbent to accept defeat with equanimity.

The defeat might be painful to the incumbent and his supporters, his acceptance of the result shows him as a man of honour - a statesman who is not ready to tinker with ideals that could stagnate democracy in South Africa.

Whatever character flaws Zuma might have, they should not be ground to dump the wishes of majority of ANC members who voted for him. His flippant, immodest sex life and poor public finances records all contributed to his forced resignation as Deputy President.

His alleged involvement in a 1999 four billion dollars arms deal in which his financial adviser is currently serving 15 years jail term remains a permanent scar. Zuma is also slated by South African National Prosecuting Authority to face prosecution on further charges of corruption which his supporters described as a witch-hunting exercise.

Democracy is at work in South Africa. The leadership of that country should blame itself for encouraging a system that throws up someone like Zuma whose academic record, intellectual depth and economic viewpoint remain a far cry of what is necessary to steer a bourgeoning country like South Africa.

His emergence showed that Mbeki’s popularity among his party men has waned and he should blame himself for not grooming a successor who could be seen as a better alternative.

Other countries in Africa, especially Nigeria, should borrow a leaf from the ANC election in South Africa. It is a shame that Nigeria’s People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that prides itself as the biggest party in Africa and which has ruled the country for over eight years has had its plans for convention mired with controversies. The time for correction of all political anomalies is now.