Word: zuma
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Observers have quipped that the greatest mystery surrounding South Africa's presidential elections this week was not the identity of the victor - Jacob Zuma had the job sewn up when he seized control of the country's ruling party in 2007 - but rather his first lady. Zuma, who will almost certainly be confirmed in the coming days, is an unabashed polygamist. That's just one of the personal quirks causing some foreigners to shudder at the prospect of Zuma assuming control of one of Africa's most successful democracies. An uneducated freedom fighter who hoisted himself out of poverty...
...There is no cloud above my head--there is not even a mist.' JACOB ZUMA, presidential candidate in South Africa, after corruption charges against him were dropped before the April 22 elections...
...outlook for South Africa that bleak? It depends on your time frame. Zuma's checkered career, the behavior of his supporters and the contrast to the iconic Mandela inevitably reflect poorly on him and his party. His victory in deposing Mbeki was first and foremost an internal factional victory and, outside that ANC constituency, his election will not be viewed so positively, either for South Africa or all Africa...
...Zuma may surprise. Previous ANC administrations have failed to deliver on fighting inequality, violent crime, HIV/AIDS and reining in Robert Mugabe in neighboring Zimbabwe, creating the opportunity for Zuma to do better. A lessening in ANC support would ultimately be good for the health of South African democracy, which has lacked a strong opposition since the end of apartheid. Finally, ANC Presidents are a creature of their party rather than the electorate, as Mbeki's removal showed. Should Zuma underperform and disappoint his supporters, he might expect the same fate - and before his official term...
Where does Mandela stand on Zuma? The 90-year-old has largely stayed out of day-to-day politics since his retirement after one term in office in 1997, and ill health means he routinely declines all requests for interviews or comments these days. Mandela has occasionally - and often obliquely - chided his successors, particularly when the Mbeki-Zuma fight was at its height. But he has also made plain that his loyalty to the ANC remains unwavering, and during the latest campaign appeared twice with Zuma at election rallies, including a final mass rally at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg...