South Africa falling

Fourteen years after apartheid was flushed down the sewer of history, South Africa has entered a less-than-fragrant era of murky internecine politics inside the ruling African National Congress. A bad president, Thabo Mbeki, has been ousted by his own party, which is almost certain to replace him, after an awkward hiatus that may last until a general election in the summer, with Jacob Zuma, a canny populist with a rackety personal and financial record. It is a far cry from the early years of a newborn rainbow nation under the magnificent healing presidency of Nelson Mandela. South Africa is the continent8217;s most successful country. It has a vibrant economy. Its GDP amounts to a third of all of sub-Saharan Africa8217;s 48 countries. It has a fine constitution, robust institutions, a strongish judiciary, open political debate and an array of good people from all points of its multicoloured spectrum bent on making it a beacon for the rest of Africa. Its influence as a continental peacemaker and economic engine has generally been beneficial. But it sorely needs better leadership.

It is good that Mbeki has gone. He has been a grave disappointment. He started well as Mandela8217;s chief technocrat, playing an impressive part in the early years in getting the ANC to chuck its old Soviet-sponsored socialism. But he lost his way, surrounded himself with yes-men and became grossly intolerant of opposition, in the ANC and beyond8230;

Excerpted from a leader in 8216;The Economist8217;