With more than 130 dead in the aftermath of the Kenyan elections and Pakistan going through a maelstrom post-Benazir Bhutto and the sentiment surrounding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, I cannot help but wonder at how relevant it is to South Africa with fractures appearing in the ANC and the divide between Zuma and Mbeki, particularly with the impending trial of Zuma in August.
The former Pakistani prime minister was also under a cloud of corruption and yet in death all segments of the population openly condemned the act that removed her from the political arena — gone were the allegations of corruption and ridiculing the policies that defined her; in their place a deep regret at her passing and the hatred it has unleashed.
South Africa is a melting pot where, in the main, people seek that which unites them.
Yet here is the ruling party, at war with itself and threatening to destroy everything that has been achieved by the Rainbow nation post-apartheid.
As Mike Trapido comments in the Mail & Guardian "We are not talking about some petty internal squabble but a hatred that is so divisive that it has people threatening the president that if he doesn’t account to Luthuli House he’s in danger of being shunted aside."
And there is a wall of anger from the Zuma camp, who openly accuse the president of being behind the decision to charge the ANC president. Whether or not there is merit in the claims, the perception, which is everything, is that he was.
Where does that leave the country?
May you all enjoy peace, prosperity and good health in a wonderful New Year.
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