Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The New York Times - September 26, 2008
Mr. Mbeki's party, the African National Congress, fought hard and nobly to liberate South Africa from apartheid. But it has turned the country essentially into a one-party state. So far, South Africa's new political leaders show no more appetite for robust political competition than the old team.
Mr. Mbeki's rival, Jacob Zuma, who is the A.N.C.'s current leader, will now be running the show - but from behind the scenes. He is not a member of Parliament, so he will have to wait until after next year's elections before assuming the presidency. In the interim, Kgalema Motlanthe, a longtime Zuma ally, will hold the seat.
South Africans are clearly worried about the upheaval. On Tuesday, panic shook South Africa's financial markets when 14 cabinet ministers including Trevor Manuel, the well-regarded finance minister, resigned. Mr. Manuel and others later said that their resignations were only a courtesy to the next president, but the market reaction betrayed a deep anxiety.
We have frequently criticized Mr. Mbeki for his crackpot and dangerous theories on AIDS and his enabling of Zimbabwe's dictatorial Robert Mugabe. We have considerable doubts about Mr. Zuma as well.
He has professed his own crackpot theories on AIDS and outrageous attitudes toward women, which were revealed in a 2006 rape trial that ended in his acquittal. He has long been fighting corruption charges that may or may not be politically motivated.
Now that he and his allies have the power, they must use it to improve the lives of South Africa's poor who suffered under white rule and still live without adequate housing, jobs and health care. South Africa's economy has grown under Mr. Mbeki, but far too much of the wealth has ended up in the hands of A.N.C. officials. Mr. Zuma has strong support among South Africa's poor, but he has yet to offer many ideas for improving their lives.
There was one encouraging sign. Mr. Motlanthe replaced Mr. Mbeki's health minister, who promoted garlic and beet root as a treatment for the five million South Africans infected with H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS. The new minister favors antiretroviral medications.
Any South African president is destined to live in the shadow of Nelson Mandela, one of the 20th century's greatest heroes. Mr. Mbeki did not make the grade. Mr. Zuma must do better.
080926
NYT080913
Copyright © 2008 - The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved. All New York Times articles contained on the AEGiS web site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of The New York Times Company. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. However, you may download articles (one machine readable copy and one print copy per page) for your personal, noncommercial use only.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .